Assistant Biologist I/II (Field Biologist) (Two positions) (20388200)

NOTE Regarding Salary: A 3% COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) will apply as of 6-26-23

Assistant Biologist: $101,004.80 - $129,313.60 annually 
Assistant Biologist: $108,825.60 - $139,235.20 annually 

Overview:
Are you a college graduate with a degree in biology, ecology, botany, zoology, or a related discipline in the life sciences? Do you have professional experience conducting field studies in California? If so, check out these entry-level positions at Valley Water.
 
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.
 
Valley Water manages 10 dams and surface water reservoirs, three water treatment plants, an advanced recycled water purification center, a state of-the-art water quality laboratory, nearly 400 acres of groundwater recharge ponds, and more than 275 miles of streams. Valley Water provides wholesale water and groundwater management services to local municipalities and private water retailers who deliver drinking water directly to nearly 2 million people in Santa Clara County that stretches 1,300 square miles and encompasses 15 cities and unincorporated areas.
 
Valley Water’s Field Biologist positions are entry-level positions in the Operations & Maintenance Environmental Support Unit.  These individuals will perform field surveys, environmental compliance, and ecological data collection associated with the many projects and programs that are managed or supported by the unit.
 
The Field Biologists will support routine operations and maintenance activities within the county-wide Stream Maintenance Program (SMP). They will conduct biological field surveys, prepare field reports and biological clearance memorandums, perform ecological data collection and mitigation and monitoring, and assist with permitting. They will also ensure biological consistency with other Valley Water projects and programs and other applicable internal procedures. These positions will work closely with a team of environmental staff.
 
Recruitment Timeline: If selected to move forward to an interview, candidates must be available for a Zoom panel interview on Thursday, June 22nd.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Field surveys/pre-construction surveys in support of maintenance work.
• Fisheries fieldwork such as seining, trapping, anadromous fish spawning surveys, passage and habitat assessments, electrofishing (backpack and boat).
• Wildlife and botany fieldwork such as nesting bird surveys, amphibian night surveys, vegetation transect inventory and mapping, habitat assessments, special-status species surveys, biological construction monitoring.
• Planning, design and construction biological support for maintenance projects.
• Mitigation project monitoring and implementation.
• Data entry/analysis and equipment maintenance/management.
• Preparation of field reports, compliance reports, and permit compliance packages.

• At least one year of experience (two or more years preferred) of fisheries and wildlife or botany fieldwork experience
• Experience working with the local flora and fauna of Santa Clara County
• GIS, database, and technical report writing experience

• Ability to follow directions 
• Ability to take initiative and work independently when needed
• Time management skills
• Reliability and diligence 
• Technical report writing skills
• Ability to communicate clearly (oral and written)
• Multi-disciplinary teamwork capabilities

• Identification and natural history of local fish, wildlife, and flora including special-status species
• Various fisheries and wildlife monitoring and analysis techniques (electrofishing, modeling, point counts, habitat typing, etc.)
• State and Federal environmental laws, permitting, and CEQA
• GIS, data entry and analysis, database management
• Common desktop applications and software

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.