Natural Resources Job Board

Gain field experience while working to assess and ensure the sustainability of mule deer and black bear populations. As a Scientific Aid for CDFW, you will assist in monitoring deer and bear populations in the mountains of the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges of southern California, primarily through non-invasive sampling of bear hair-snare corals and mule deer fecal DNA pellet transects. Work will include assisting with ground darting and helicopter captures of mule deer and occasional capture of black bear.

The incumbent will use radio telemetry and GPS navigation to locate mule deer and other wildlife in the field and use optics to determine group composition and fawn recruitment, as well as monitor survival and investigate mortalities. You’ll have an opportunity to participate in fixed-wing radio telemetry flights and helicopter surveys for mule deer and bighorn sheep. Field work will also include assisting habitat improvement projects, including maintaining, enhancing and establishing wildlife water developments. 

Scientific Aids will assist biologists in implementing the annual hunting program, answering questions and providing information to improve hunter experience and opportunity; manage hunter check-in during hunt season; collect samples and record biological data from harvested mule deer and black bear.

Other tasks include maintaining and organize field equipment and vehicles, assisting with inventory and purchasing. entering data from physical data sheets, performing QA/QC and data entry; keep accurate and up-to-date records of all observations; input and validate data with computers using Excel, Access, and mobile apps, conduct basic spatial analysis and generate maps using ArcGIS. The incumbent will also conduct reviews of scientific literature, and assist with report preparation, and participate in meetings and trainings.

 Starting salary is $18.26/hr with paid vacation and sick leave, holiday pay, and $46-$63/night per-diem when camping overnight in the field. Positions are year-round and ongoing, but limited to a maximum of 189 days/year. Housing and medical insurance are not provided.