Valley Water
Fisheries and Wildlife Field Assistant Biologist I
Valley Water, San Jose, California, United States, 95199
Fisheries and Wildlife Field Assistant Biologist I
This range is provided by Valley Water. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
$110,385.60/yr - $141,315.20/yr
Overview The Assistant Biologist will function as an entry-level field biologist in Valley Water’s Watershed Planning and Stewardship Division’s Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Unit. The primary focus is fisheries biology, with wildlife biology experience also beneficial. The position will perform ecological data collection for multiple projects and programs managed or supported by the Unit. The Unit manages long-term mitigation monitoring programs, ecology-oriented Safe Clean Water Programs, land management and easement monitoring for mitigation lands, provides biological subject matter expertise to support over 30 capital projects and long-range planning programs, and manages aspects of the Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Collaborative Effort (FAHCE). Staff provide ecological and biological support to effectively manage natural resources, stewardship, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The Unit specializes in special-status species, jurisdictional habitats, impact and habitat function assessments, avoidance and minimization measures, mitigation design and monitoring, and environmental permitting and stewardship.
Our Commitment We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.
About Valley Water Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Key Responsibilities
Fisheries monitoring for the Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Collaborative Effort (FAHCE) and Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project (ADSRP).
Fisheries fieldwork such as seining, trapping, anadromous fish spawning surveys, passage and habitat assessments, electrofishing (backpack and boat), PIT tagging and antenna design, and servicing/downloading other passive counting devices.
Biological monitoring for Mitigation and Monitoring Projects.
Biological fieldwork for Safe, Clean Water.
Wildlife fieldwork such as general habitat assessments, nesting bird surveys, special-status species surveys, permit compliance, and biological construction monitoring.
Habitat mapping/monitoring, habitat assessments, conservation easement monitoring.
Data analysis and reporting.
Planning, design, and construction biological support for Watershed/Water Utility Capital Projects.
Data entry/analysis and equipment maintenance/management.
Ideal Candidate's Background Ideal Experience
At least one year of experience (two or more years preferred) of fisheries and wildlife fieldwork experience.
Experience working with the local flora and fauna of Santa Clara County.
GIS, database, and technical report writing experience.
Ideal Skills and Abilities
Learn federal and state permitting regulations, laws, processes, and practices applied in natural resource management, including but not limited to those issued by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Marine Fisheries Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Federal and California Endangered Species Acts (ESAs).
Research, evaluate, and write studies, reports, papers, and related literature used in the field of biology.
Use scientific libraries and information systems for locating relevant scientific literature.
Assess, mitigate, monitor, and report biological elements and impacts; evaluate thresholds of significance.
Learn to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations, including CEQA and NEPA.
Perform a variety of tasks to measure, control, and assure the quality of in-situ data and information collected before, during, and after ecological survey and monitoring activities.
Learn to apply and utilize the principles, data, and processes of the District’s GPS, GIS, and cartography.
Use common desktop applications and software as well as specialized software (such as R) related to the work.
Ideal Knowledge
Best Management Practices (BMPs), principles, and techniques commonly used in field biology, including planning, organizing, conducting, and managing biological investigations and surveys.
BMPs specific to a subject matter designated by management (e.g., wildlife, fisheries, flora, wetlands).
Learn the principles, methods, and practices used to identify and evaluate biological impacts caused by District operations, programs, and activities.
A variety of biological field equipment used to sample, monitor, measure, maintain, and restore biological resources.
Physiology, anatomy, lifecycle, and habitat of biological resources designated by management.
Quality control and quality assurance principles and practices in the collection and management of biological data.
Learn the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Common desktop applications and software.
Authorities, methods, and techniques of scientific research, statistics, analysis, and reporting used in biology.
Ideal Training and Education
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biology, fisheries, ecology, zoology, or related life sciences field.
Master’s degree in biology, ecology, zoology, or related discipline may substitute for one year of the required experience.
Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license. Individuals who do not meet the driver’s license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
Review of Classification Specification
— please note download PDF reader text is provided for reference.
Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Unit (Position Code 1116)
Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.
Note:
This description reflects the current job requirements and is not a job offer or contract. Valley Water reserves the right to modify job duties at any time.
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Base pay range
$110,385.60/yr - $141,315.20/yr
Overview The Assistant Biologist will function as an entry-level field biologist in Valley Water’s Watershed Planning and Stewardship Division’s Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Unit. The primary focus is fisheries biology, with wildlife biology experience also beneficial. The position will perform ecological data collection for multiple projects and programs managed or supported by the Unit. The Unit manages long-term mitigation monitoring programs, ecology-oriented Safe Clean Water Programs, land management and easement monitoring for mitigation lands, provides biological subject matter expertise to support over 30 capital projects and long-range planning programs, and manages aspects of the Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Collaborative Effort (FAHCE). Staff provide ecological and biological support to effectively manage natural resources, stewardship, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The Unit specializes in special-status species, jurisdictional habitats, impact and habitat function assessments, avoidance and minimization measures, mitigation design and monitoring, and environmental permitting and stewardship.
Our Commitment We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.
About Valley Water Valley Water is a public agency with an operating and capital budget of $964 million and over 900 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Key Responsibilities
Fisheries monitoring for the Fisheries and Aquatic Habitat Collaborative Effort (FAHCE) and Anderson Dam Seismic Retrofit Project (ADSRP).
Fisheries fieldwork such as seining, trapping, anadromous fish spawning surveys, passage and habitat assessments, electrofishing (backpack and boat), PIT tagging and antenna design, and servicing/downloading other passive counting devices.
Biological monitoring for Mitigation and Monitoring Projects.
Biological fieldwork for Safe, Clean Water.
Wildlife fieldwork such as general habitat assessments, nesting bird surveys, special-status species surveys, permit compliance, and biological construction monitoring.
Habitat mapping/monitoring, habitat assessments, conservation easement monitoring.
Data analysis and reporting.
Planning, design, and construction biological support for Watershed/Water Utility Capital Projects.
Data entry/analysis and equipment maintenance/management.
Ideal Candidate's Background Ideal Experience
At least one year of experience (two or more years preferred) of fisheries and wildlife fieldwork experience.
Experience working with the local flora and fauna of Santa Clara County.
GIS, database, and technical report writing experience.
Ideal Skills and Abilities
Learn federal and state permitting regulations, laws, processes, and practices applied in natural resource management, including but not limited to those issued by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), National Marine Fisheries Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Federal and California Endangered Species Acts (ESAs).
Research, evaluate, and write studies, reports, papers, and related literature used in the field of biology.
Use scientific libraries and information systems for locating relevant scientific literature.
Assess, mitigate, monitor, and report biological elements and impacts; evaluate thresholds of significance.
Learn to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations, including CEQA and NEPA.
Perform a variety of tasks to measure, control, and assure the quality of in-situ data and information collected before, during, and after ecological survey and monitoring activities.
Learn to apply and utilize the principles, data, and processes of the District’s GPS, GIS, and cartography.
Use common desktop applications and software as well as specialized software (such as R) related to the work.
Ideal Knowledge
Best Management Practices (BMPs), principles, and techniques commonly used in field biology, including planning, organizing, conducting, and managing biological investigations and surveys.
BMPs specific to a subject matter designated by management (e.g., wildlife, fisheries, flora, wetlands).
Learn the principles, methods, and practices used to identify and evaluate biological impacts caused by District operations, programs, and activities.
A variety of biological field equipment used to sample, monitor, measure, maintain, and restore biological resources.
Physiology, anatomy, lifecycle, and habitat of biological resources designated by management.
Quality control and quality assurance principles and practices in the collection and management of biological data.
Learn the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Common desktop applications and software.
Authorities, methods, and techniques of scientific research, statistics, analysis, and reporting used in biology.
Ideal Training and Education
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in biology, fisheries, ecology, zoology, or related life sciences field.
Master’s degree in biology, ecology, zoology, or related discipline may substitute for one year of the required experience.
Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver’s license. Individuals who do not meet the driver’s license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
Review of Classification Specification
— please note download PDF reader text is provided for reference.
Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Unit (Position Code 1116)
Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.
Note:
This description reflects the current job requirements and is not a job offer or contract. Valley Water reserves the right to modify job duties at any time.
#J-18808-Ljbffr