Placement Site Objectives and Organizational Needs:

The Mission of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is to manage California's diverse fish, wildlife, plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and for their use and enjoyment by the public. The Coastal Watershed Planning and Assessment Program (CWPAP) and Southern Humboldt and Mendocino Counties Fisheries Management (SH-M) are CDFW programs with the following primary objectives: conducting fishery-based watershed assessments and corresponding watershed/salmonid recovery planning efforts; and salmonid population monitoring in the Eel River Watershed. WSP Corpsmembers attain significant field experience in the monitoring of endangered species of salmon and steelhead and gain important first-hand knowledge of fishery management and recovery operations at a state-level agency. Utilizing Coastal California Salmonid Monitoring Plan (CMP) protocols and methods, this site conducts fall and winter spawner surveys in the South Fork Eel River to assess population size and distribution of Coho Salmon as well as collecting additional data on Chinook Salmon and steelhead. This Placement Site also operates 2 ARIS/DIDSON sonar cameras in the fall and winter to determine the run timing and produce adult Chinook Salmon and steelhead abundance estimates for the mainstem Eel River and Van Duzen River. The data from these fall and winter monitoring efforts measure the progress toward federal and state recovery plans and escapement estimates are critically important in fisheries management planning. In addition to these fall and winter data collection efforts, this site conducts late spring and summer surveys evaluating juvenile salmonid populations and the stream habitat conditions. These stream surveys consist of mask and snorkel surveys which Corpsmembers collect data on fish occupancy rates and distribution of juvenile salmonids. The data collected from these survey efforts plays a critical role informing watershed recovery planning efforts, such as the Salmonid Habitat and Restoration Priorities working group. The Mentor and Site Supervisor are steering committee members in this working group, which is a planning process involving state and federal agencies, California Native Tribes, non-profits, and private landowners to identify effective restoration within priority areas of salmon recovery. Throughout the year, Corpsmembers also participate in a variety of other field work conducted at this site that includes but is not limited to estuarine species seining and water quality sampling, juvenile fish pit-tagging, juvenile fish minnow trapping, removal of invasive fish species, boat surveys for adult fish, electro-fishing, fish relocation, drought monitoring, etc. While the programs and projects at our site have grant funding to hire the necessary field staff, such as scientific aids, Corpsmembers can play an important role in assisting seasonal staff in accomplish the goals and objectives of the projects. Moreover, Corpsmembers also tend to bring a sense of enthusiasm and wonder that is always refreshing to seasonal and permanent staff.

Mentorship Style:

Having been a WSP Mentor for 15 years, Dave Kajtaniak is one of the longer standing Mentors in WSP and is able to offer a wide variety of experience in the role as a Mentor. Having worked in the CDFW Fortuna office for 18+ years, Dave is well vested in the watershed monitoring and restoration community. He likes to provide insights to WSP Corpmembers to the community and all the potential possibilities of work in this field. Dave can also provide history and context to monitoring, fish populations, and restoration that has and will continue to occur in the Eel River watershed as well as the entire North Coast.

Braden is just starting his second year at the CWPAP site as well as his second year as a WSP Mentor. As a recent master's student graduate and having a couple of years in the field, Braden brings a lot of energy and excitement to this office and the development of CWPAPs monitoring projects and goal of restoring fish populations. Braden shares this excitement and energy with our WSP members as he himself is getting to explore new areas and new techniques.

Branden and Dave both share their passion for working in fisheries, the Eel River watershed and with the next line of resource professionals. We both believe in creating a learning environment, a fun-group of folks to work with and trying to provide WSP Corpsmembers a fantastic year at our site that they can always look back on being an informative and enjoyable year of their lives.

Unique Characteristics of Placement Site:

The CDFW and WSP missions are compatible, and Corpsmembers benefit from time served here. This site's Corpsmembers gain invaluable experience in a diverse array of field/biological sampling methodologies in unique, biologically significant locations that other sites are not able to provide. In addition, the CWPAP site is one of the few placement sites in the WSP program that provides the opportunity to acquire hands on experience with ARIS sonar cameras. This technology is providing invaluable data on the adult salmonid populations in the Eel River Watershed and is being utilized in other watersheds along the entire Pacific Northwest. Moreover, with CDFW being the lead agency in the recovery of salmonid species, the on-going programs at this site work with a wide range of partners, including the following: other federal (NOAA Fisheries and BLM) and state agencies, California Native Tribes, non-governmental organizations, 7 private consulting companies, municipalities, and private landowners. Therefore, Corpsmembers get valuable experience seeing collaborations and partnerships at work. One of the current Mentors and Site Supervisor are past WSP Corpsmembers, and they have an intimate understanding of the importance and role they play as Mentors to their WSP Corpsmembers. Collectively, the Mentors and Site Supervisor have 30+ years experience in the role as WSP Mentors and are dedicated to providing a supportive, inclusive, and professional learning environment. It is the sites wish to maintain this partnership for the benefit it provides the public and significant environmental resources in the region. Moreover, this site has been able to provide seasonal employment to our WSP Corpsmembers proceeding their completion of their term of service. This has been a mutually beneficial arrangement as WSP Corpsmembers have the opportunity to acquire state employment with a natural resource agency, and it maintains consistency and quality assurance for our program. In addition, incoming WSP Corpsmembers gain valuable knowledge and insight by working alongside these former WSP Corpsmembers who have an understanding of all the benefits of being in the WSP program and how to make the most of their WSP term of service. Furthermore, the Eel River Watershed plays a critical role in the recovery of salmonids in California and is the next significant watershed that is in the beginning stages of removing 2 dams in the upper watershed. It is a very exciting time to be working in the Eel River Watershed!

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Desired in Corpsmember:

Ability to hike in streams/rough terrain during periods of inclement weather

Be a capable swimmer

Comfortable with tent camping or staying in rustic field housing during certain times of the year

Ability to work a flexible schedule when needed, such as occasional weekend work and ability to go on multi-overnight trips

Strong interest in conducting biological and habitat monitoring

Experience with driving 4x4 vehicles on non-paved roads is preferred

Ability to work in a group setting as well as independently