KEYWORDS: coho, monitoring, steelhead, salmonid, restoration

PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This project will have both park and regional impacts. By increasing the capacity within the Coho and Steelhead Monitoring Program (CSMP), long-term data collection will continue for three populations of endangered coho salmon residing in PORE and GOGA. The CSMP does not have the capacity to fully implement monitoring protocols for salmonids. These long-term data are used to determine the critical factors that are limiting the survival of the species within our watersheds. Our CSMP data are also used to ascertain the status and trends for the species both locally and regionally. Other agencies that rely on our data include National Marine Fisheries Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the County of Marin. Another goal of this project will be for the SIP participant to develop communication products to help disseminate data collected by the CSMP to resource managers and other interested parties. In addition, the project will increase our knowledge on restoration actions performed within GOGA managed areas of Redwood Creek through monitoring specifically designed to evaluate recent restoration. Management will use this data to modify future restoration designs or techniques to improve habitat within Redwood Creek. By working on this discrete project, the SIP will be able to validate the effectiveness of previously implemented restoration projects. By the end of the service-term the SIP will have gained knowledge on the ecology of coho salmon and steelhead, current habitat limitations, the impact of restoration, actions needed to ensure their survival for future generations, and disseminating scientific information to a broader audience.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This proposed project requests one SIP participant to assist with the San Francisco Area Network (SFAN) Coho and Steelhead Monitoring Program (CSMP) based at Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE). The SFAN has undertaken an ambitious, multi-decade long program to maintain and enhance coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and steelhead (O. mykiss) populations within the SFAN parks. Coho salmon populations are estimated to be at less than 1% of their historic population size within California and the populations residing in Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GOGA) and PORE are considered to be a stronghold against regional extinction. The SIP will be integrated into the year-round CSMP and paired with the SFAN Inventory and Monitoring Program (I&M) fishery biologist in a 52-week (June 2026 - May 2027) biological field assistantship to collect vital information on endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead within PORE and GOGA. By assisting the SFAN I&M CSMP, the SIP will receive in-depth education on techniques used for restoration and monitoring of salmonids along with other sensitive aquatic species. The service performed by the SIP will primarily coincide with that of the SFAN CSMP including but not limited to: winter spawner surveys, spring coho smolt surveys, summer juvenile salmonid surveys, summer habitat surveys, and PIT tag antenna operations. As a goal of this position, the SIP will be tasked with independent projects based on park management needs and personal career goals and interest either evaluating restoration sites, analyzing long-term data, or developing data visualization and outreach products. During the position the SIP will complete projects directly with other CSMP staff including the SFAN fishery biologist, fisheries crew leader, AmeriCorps members, and program volunteers. The SIP will learn fisheries techniques including but not limited to: seining, electrofishing, juvenile coho habitat typing, snorkel census, water quality monitoring, fish tagging, remote sensing, and restoration validation. The SIP will be tasked with ensuring all equipment is ready for each field day, collecting field data, verifying field data, and data entry. In concert with these efforts, they will be assigned independent projects under the guidance of the SFAN I&M Fishery Biologist, to evaluate recent restoration activities, improve upon long-term data communication tools, or improve program outreach. The goal of this position is to continue to develop future resource management professionals in the National Park Service. The SIP will continue their education by learning field techniques that build off of previous educational experiences. Young adults often receive education at a conceptual level in resource management, but due to socioeconomics or access to wildland areas may never physically experience these techniques. By the end of this position, the SIP will understand issues surrounding threatened and endangered (T&E) species within the park, techniques used for species recovery, and a mastery of salmonid monitoring techniques. The program aims to determine coho and steelhead limiting factors both at a long-term time scale through annual monitoring and short-term emerging issues through field observations. Without a funded SIP, PORE and GOGA would not collect the data needed to understand the impacts and make management decisions on T&E aquatic species residing within the park.

DELIVERABLES
There are two main deliverable types for this project. The first is to assist with the collection of salmonid monitoring data in three watersheds within PORE and GOGA managed lands through annual surveys including summer juvenile coho population and habitat surveys, winter spawner surveys, PIT tag antenna operations, and spring smolt trapping surveys. The second is to complete at least one independent project, that will further advance our knowledge or understanding of the ecological processes or species population dynamics. Both of these deliverables will contribute to further restoration activities to increase the likelihood of coho salmon and steelhead survival for the enjoyment of future park visitors. For the first deliverable, the SIP participant will collect data on juvenile coho habitat, direct observations surveys, electrofishing surveys, seining surveys, adult spawner surveys, remote sensing surveys, and smolt trapping surveys. The SIP will receive feedback on data collection techniques and measures to improve accuracy. The second deliverable will focus on the production of a written product to increase the SIP’s understanding of salmon ecology. This deliverable will allow them to produce an independent product that builds off a focused research or data visualization project. Combined these two deliverables aim to prepare the SIP for a natural resource focused career within the NPS.

QUALIFICATIONS

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the host site.
• The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate is able to complete this position independently on complex projects while maintaining open lines of communication with project staff. The most important candidate quality will be the enthusiasm towards fieldwork in the life sciences and a strong work ethic. The SIP would ideally have a degree in fisheries, freshwater ecology, marine biology, or other related life science. Although not required, previous fisheries or field experience would be helpful for this position. The candidate will ideally be in good physical fitness and can conduct full days in an outdoor field setting. The candidate will be required to complete projects off trail, wade in streams, and be able to climb over downed trees, limbs, and piles of accumulated instream wood. The candidate must have a valid driver’s license in good standing and be comfortable driving large vehicles in rural areas.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING
This is a coastal position in the small community of Point Reyes Station which is also a popular tourist destination located approximately 3 miles from the SIP participant’s duty station. Point Reyes Station contains a few restaurants, library, gas station, medical services and one major grocery store. The San Francisco Bay Area is characterized by a dry season from late-spring through mid-fall and a wet season from mid-fall through mid-spring. Summer temperatures range from 60-90 °F and winter temperatures range from 45-70 °F. Typically the morning will start with fog, then becoming sunny by mid-morning, before the fog returns in the late afternoon to early evening hours. This position is 80% in the field, conducting projects in creeks within GOGA and PORE. The SIP will be trained in identification of field hazards such as poison oak, stinging nettle, and ticks. All field equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided by the National Park Service. Field duties consist of stream surveys performed over rough terrain in water averaging 45-70 °F. The SIP should be prepared to spend up to 8 hours daily in an outside setting. The SIP should be prepared with layers of clothing to regulate body temperature as the weather changes throughout the day. Fieldwork activities include but are not limited to: habitat surveys requiring walking in streams wearing waders, snorkel surveys requiring emersion and walking in streams wearing a wetsuit, electrofishing or seining requiring the capture of fish, fish camera studies with both field instillation and footage review, smolt trapping requiring handling and tagging of aquatic organisms, spawner surveys requiring wading in fast moving water, and small scale restoration projects requiring pulling weeds and removing fencing. It is anticipated that fieldwork will be conducted within Redwood Creek, Lagunitas Creek, and Pine Gulch Creek watersheds located within Marin County, California.

VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.

HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.

The type of housing will depend on available housing units at the time of this position. If current policies are in place, the housing will likely be either a private room in a shared house within Point Reyes National Seashore or a shared bunkhouse style unit situated at a scenic location within Point Reyes National Seashore along Tomales Bay. Both males and females are allowed but do not share bedrooms in the bunkhouse. The house has direct access to swimming and boating on Tomales Bay. Most of the other housing units are gender based and scattered throughout the park. There is currently no housing unit located within walking distance of the reporting office. Transportation to and from the housing unit to the duty station will need to be provided by the Selected candidate. Bed and bathroom linens, personal care items, and food are not provided. For many who have stayed in Point Reyes National Seashore housing units, the scenic beauty of these locations has been a memorable experience.

OUR COMMITMENT
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.

TIME REQUIREMENTS

• This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

• Member will receive pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term
• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff

EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.