LABORATORY ASSISTANTS II and III
National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center Santa Cruz, CA

SALARY: $2,472 – $2,821/month
Initial review of applicants starts on April 2, 2010 **Must apply on-line to be considered (see below for website)**

SUMMARY OF DUTIES:
Assist with field and laboratory studies as a member of a research team investigating the ecology of listed salmonids in California.
Field surveys may include snorkeling, electrofishing, PIT tagging, radio telemetry, collecting habitat data and collecting scale/tissue samples. Data management and some laboratory work also required.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Data Collection/Sample Preparation: assist in field surveys of juvenile fish using snorkeling and electrofishing techniques; record habitat description and designation; detect tagged fish using instream fixed and mobile antenna units; prepare scale and fin clip samples for analysis. Database Maintenance: review, document, enter and validate data and information collected from field studies. Laboratory
analyses: mounting fish scales and aging fish from scale samples, various indoor laboratory experiments, and freshwater invertebrate sample processing. Assist in other research efforts as assigned:
assist in other field surveys; prepare tissue samples for genetic and age analysis; assist in gear maintenance for all equipment used for field surveys.

QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:
LA II - High school degree and two years experience; two years of related college education may substitute for one year of experience.
LA III - Experience and/or knowledge such as attained through coursework leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries science, biology, zoology, or other related field. Research requires journey level knowledge and skill in participating in research field biology.
Ability to work effectively with a small group of co-workers, follow instructions, work accurately with close attention to detail, and interact effectively with a diverse group of people. Experience with word processing and spreadsheet applications; good organizational, time management and problem-solving skills. Preferred
Qualifications: previous experience with snorkel surveys, electrofishing, radio telemetry and gear maintenance.

*Note: Ability to be away from the laboratory for extended periods of time (up to 5 days; possibly for consecutive weeks) for field work at remote locations; travel is paid. Good physical condition to participate in hiking and carrying equipment. This is a full-time position. Expected start date is May-June 2010, depending on candidate availability, and work is expected to last until Sept-Oct 2010.

Initial application review date: 02Apr2010; position is open until filled.

** To apply, go to the UC Santa Cruz Jobs website (https://
jobs.ucsc.edu) and search for Job #1002527 (LA II) / Job #1002528 (LA III). Follow instructions to apply on-line. **

Contact Kerrie Pipal (Kerrie.pipal@noaa.gov, 831-420-3935) with questions.