Fish and Wildlife Technician
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: BQ80
Class Code: 0916
Established: 11/02/1999
Revised: --
Title Changed: --
Definition
This specification describes a recruiting and developmental class in which employees, under supervision, perform a variety of tasks in fish and wildlife conservation work at fixed or temporary installations in the natural habitat and fish hatcheries; work in a major phase of the operation of a fish hatchery; or act as lead of a small crew engaged in fish and wildlife habitat improvement work, fish planting, counting, or egg collection activities; and do other related work. Incumbents are assigned duties and responsibilities commensurate with their background and training.
Typical Tasks
Perform the skilled/semiskilled work at a fish hatchery or planting base in such tasks as: spawn fish, care for and transfer eggs, and incubate and hatch eggs; care for fry, prepare feed for and feed fish, and clean troughs and rearing ponds; treat fish for disease, inventory fish, load fish for transport, and transport fish; maintain facilities and equipment; monitor fish health and water quality; record information; and operate various vehicles, equipment, and tools.
Perform skilled/semiskilled tasks in a fish screen and ladder shop relating to the design, fabrication, construction, operation, and maintenance of fish screens, ladders, and traps; build or fabricate metal screen components and mechanical screen cleaning mechanisms; repair and build parts for mechanical equipment, sampling gear, electrical apparatus, and related fisheries research support devices; read blueprints and plans; lay out patterns and templates, and make up jigs and forms; build and set up concrete forms for screen and ladder installations; mix and pour concrete; maintain and repair screen shop structures, grounds, and equipment; run scheduled inspections of screens and traps for maintenance and operation; remove, count, and relocate fish caught in traps; remove debris from screens and make minor repairs in the field; grease screen wiper blades and bearings; remove barriers from streams; sand blast and paint screen parts and traps; operate and maintain small boats; operate trucks, backhoes, and other light automotive and construction equipment; operate various woodworking and metal power tools such as saws, drills, and lathes; may assist research personnel on field surveys in the collection of data. As a Lead, direct permanent or seasonal staff in field construction and maintenance tasks relating to fish and wildlife habitat development or improvement; build, install, and maintain artificial watering devices, water control structures, irrigation devices, access roads, levees, and public use facilities; construct protective cover for upland game; control brush and plant growth by mechanical and chemical means; seed, cultivate, and irrigate wildlife cover and forage plants; trap, tag, or mark fish and wildlife; conduct wildlife census and habitat condition surveys; collect fish and wildlife samples and specimens; may operate a hunter checking station or small permanent or seasonal field installation; keep records and prepare routine factual reports; as required, operate automobiles, trucks, tractors, pumps, and other types of mechanical equipment.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.) and Either I Six months of experience in the natural resources field such as parks, forestry, or fish and wildlife. (Completion of one year of college with at least six semester units in the biological sciences may be substituted for the required experience.)
Or II
One year of experience in the mechanical or construction trades.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Methods, materials, and equipment used in fish hatchery and wildlife management activities in California; methods of stripping, spawning, and caring for eggs; raising fry and young fish; transporting and planting fish; construction and maintenance work involved in making, installing, and repairing fish screens, ladders, and traps; life cycles of trout, anadromous, and warm water species; stream improvement procedures; recognition and control of hatchery fish diseases and parasites; wildlife habitat construction, maintenance, and improvement methods; general power tools, welding, carpentry, concrete work, and painting; operation of such equipment as trucks, bulldozers, and backhoes.
Ability to: Communicate effectively; follow oral and written instructions; prepare simple reports and maintain simple records; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work; analyze situations and take effective action; perform a variety of skilled/semiskilled mechanical and construction work and direct the work of seasonal staff.
Special Personal Characteristics
Aptitude for fish and wildlife conservation work, construction, repair, and maintenance work; willingness to live and work throughout the State, and work unusual hours and on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; willingness to do heavy manual labor, work in adverse weather conditions, and to wear a prescribed uniform; keenness of observation; tact; and reliability.
Special Physical Characteristics
Ability to swim at least 50 yards and to stay afloat at least five minutes; good physical condition; and ability to lift 40 pounds.
Additional Desirable Qualification
Education equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.
