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Recreational Creel & Spawning Ground Survey Tech - Sci Tech 2 - Seasonal - 2 Vacancies - *05000-25

Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Vacancies
Working Title- Marine Recreational Creel and Spawning Ground Survey Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Appointment/Season Length- 5 Months – August 1 – December 31
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Region 6
Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

 

This is an opportunity to assist Region 6 District 17 fish biologists in collecting data necessary for the management of the salmon resources in the Willapa Bay watershed.

With your experience, you will provide biologists with data necessary to work with federal, public, and private organizations to facilitate cooperative and effective collection and exchange of fishery and escapement data.

We are seeking candidates to collect information that is needed to assess stock status, build fishery models, and forecast salmon returns.
 

WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Marine Recreational Creel Monitoring (Marine Area 2.1).

  • Conduct angler interviews and identify, record, and sample salmon and other species landed and gather information on incidental released species (encounters) throughout the marine recreational fishery in Willapa Bay marine area 2.1.
  • Biological sampling of landed salmon may include identifying mark status (adipose/dorsal fin), scale sampling (age/origin), coded wire tags recovery (CWT; stock composition), opercle punch, t-tags/or jaw tags, DNA tissue samples, and collect any other biological samples, as needed.
  • Maintaining accurate and timely field records via electronic data collection (iPads) is very important to meet management needs.
  • Keeps supervisor informed daily regarding the status of work projects and emerging issues, which may include other WDFW programs such as Enforcement, Habitat, and Wildlife.
  • Maintain regular and professional conduct and continue positive relationships with recreational anglers to facilitate public cooperation in reporting of encounters and overall fishing effort.
  • Respond to questions with the highest level of proficiency, contacting your supervisor or other management staff with questions unable to be answered.

Spawner Surveys – Stock Assessment.

  • The purpose is to collect data used to estimate stock status of hatchery and natural stocks by measuring abundance, productivity, diversity, and spatial distribution of salmon on the spawning grounds.
  • Fieldwork requires identifying, recording, and monitoring of salmonid redds and carcass recovery (live/dead fish counts) within selected stream reaches.
  • Conduct stream surveys on foot and/or by raft, pontoon/drift boat, or by jet powered river sled following Region 6 standard practices and procedure protocols.
  • Biological collection of dead fish (carcasses) may include identification of mark status (adipose/dorsal fin), scale sampling (age/origin), coded wire tags recovery (CWT; stock composition), fork length, sex identification, identifying opercle punch presence or absence, t-tags or jaw tags, DNA tissue samples, or collect other biological samples, as needed.
  • Maintain accurate and timely field records via electronic data collection (iPads) is important to meet management needs.
  • Maintain regular and professional contact with landowners to continue to gain access to surveyed reaches through private property or logging companies.

Commercial Fishery Monitoring and Sampling.

  • From August through November, this position may participate in the commercial gillnet fishery sampling landed catch and/or commercial on-board monitoring within Willapa Bay and/or Grays Harbor.
  • Commercial on-board monitoring duties may include boarding commercial vessels in the early morning hours, documentation of gillnet soak times, summarize catch for retained and released fish by species, identify mark status (adipose fin), determine presence or absence of coded wire tag (CWT), collect genetic DNA tissue sample, document bycatch and incidental encounters, and collect any other biological samples, as needed.
  • Commercial biological sampling duties may include sampling catch for scales (age composition), identification of mark status (adipose fin), coded wire tags recovery (CWT), genetic DNA tissue samples, fork length, sex identification, and any other biological samples, as needed.


Working Conditions:

Work setting: Primary work is in the field, periodic computer work at WDFW regional office. During recreational fishery and commercial monitoring, duties are conducted at a dock, boat launch, gillnet vessel or fish house. Work hours are spent standing, walking, bending, negotiating boat ramps or slippery surfaces, boarding vessels, and handling and manipulating fish up to 40 pounds. Commercial on-board monitoring involves boarding gillnet vessels in the early morning hours and in wet conditions.  During spawner surveys, work involves considerable driving and walking/hiking up to 10 miles per day in possible remote areas on private and public timberlands. Spawner surveys include walking on or near slick boulders, wading riffles, or maneuvering watercraft, which requires moderate strength and agility. Lifting equipment up to 40 pounds may be required. Might be asked to drive in areas where roads are partially flooded or covered in snow to get to access sites. May encounter swift moving water during moderate river flows and log jams. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: The work may involve weekends, holidays, and evenings. Work hours can vary due to inclement weather, river conditions, access, stream flow patterns, fish densities, and length of daylight hours. Work hours usually fall outside of the normal 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday work schedule. Weekends, non-consecutive days off, and occasional long hours required.

Travel requirements: Travel is required from duty station to assigned ports for recreational or commercial monitoring or freshwater river systems for spawner surveys using state vehicles within Pacific or Grays Harbor Counties. Travel time will fluctuate daily depending on field site location. Driving to river or dock locations via state, city and county roads is required.

Customer Interactions: communicate with the public, recreational anglers, and private landowners regarding current fishing regulations and regulatory actions. Answer basic questions is required.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:  Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science, and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1

Option 2:  Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science, and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
 

Please note:   College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute year-for-year for experience, provided the course work includes at least six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.


License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Successful completion of mandatory and job-related training and/or certification—such as safety, equipment operation, or fieldwork procedures—may be required as a condition of employment, depending on position responsibilities, supervisory direction, and training availability.
 

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Experience in/with: 

  • Pacific salmon, sturgeon, and marine mammal identification.
  • Identifying river stage salmonids, juvenile salmonids, and other game fish species in varying weather conditions.
  • Collecting and recording data with attention to detail.
  • Fisheries creel methodology and salmon spawning ground surveys.
  • Salmon fisheries sampling, including working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
  • Operating, trailering, and transporting boats or other field research equipment.
  • Effectively communicating and interacting with the public and co-workers.
  • Ability to work independently and in teams.

 

Your application should include the following:

  • A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
  • An up-to-date resume.
  • A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
  • At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.


Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents


Union - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.


Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

  • Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov.
  • Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
    • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
  • Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran).
  • Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.


Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or emailJayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05000.

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