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Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - 2025-06492

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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Title- Spawning Ground Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Career Seasonal
Season Length- 9 months – October 1 – June 30
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Forks, Washington – Clallam County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

 

Join a team committed to conserving fish populations in the watersheds along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and North Coast.  

Envision yourself in the field, conducting salmon, steelhead, and lamprey spawner surveys while ensuring accurate data collection and reporting. 
 

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Spawning Ground Surveyor will, 

  • Conduct salmon, steelhead, and lamprey redd count surveys by accurately recording observed redds and live and deceased fish counts within selected stream reaches of Clallam and West Jefferson counties. 
  • Maintain accurate field records.
  • Contact private landowners, Olympic National Park (ONP) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for permission to gain access to land and acquires gate keys to gain access to survey sections.
  • Collect daily spawner data, including redd counts and GPS data.
  • Enter raw data in spreadsheets and databases and prepare daily data summaries. 
  • Brush/maintain trails and survey access points.
  • Routine maintenance of assigned field gear, vehicles, and equipment.

 

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

  • The primary work environment is outdoors and is often done in inclement weather, within varying stream flows and can be strenuous. 
  • Driving and hiking (typically 3-5 miles but can be up to 15 miles on occasion) into remote areas on private and public timberlands. 
  • Walk along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, or maneuvering watercraft (raft, hard side drift boat or pontoon boat).
  • This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
  • Occasionally lift equipment up to and or greater than 40 pounds (watercraft such as rafts, pontoon boats, and pac rafts, bio sampling equipment, and trail brushing equipment).
  • Occasional work in a typical office setting and on a computer. Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor and sitting/standing for long periods of time.? 

Schedule: This is a full-time position, scheduled for 40 hours per week. Work shifts are variable and may be assigned at any time within a 24-hour period, depending on operational needs. Evening shifts may be required. Work hours can also vary based on inclement weather, daylight availability, and river conditions.

Travel Requirements: Some travel may be required and is typically local or regional to conduct business or attend training.

Tools and Equipment: Waders, wading staff, personal flotation device (PFD), GPS, radios, coded wire tag (CWT) wands, knives, forceps, drift boats, pontoon boats, power tools, pruners, weed eater, chainsaw

Customer Interactions: Frequent contact with clients including some who may be experiencing anger or frustration. Provide daily reports of observations and project status to supervisor and/or other WDFW biologists.

 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

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. 

Or

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 may 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.
  • Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

  • Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
  • Obtain and maintain Basic First Aid/CPR certification within six (6) months of hire.
  • Obtain and maintain Swift Water Rescue certification within one (1) year of hire.

 

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Experience with/in: 

  • Salmon and steelhead spawning ground surveys.
  • Salmonid species present in North Coast watersheds, their spawning behavior, general life histories, and fishery management methods.
  • Geography of the North Coast area waters. 
  • Paddling/rowing watercraft, such as rafts or hard-sided drift boats. 
  • Wading in rivers and/or floating rivers in various watercraft. 
  • Fish hatchery procedures.
  • Field observation skills.
  • Microsoft Word and Excel computer software programs.
  • Strong communication skills and experience interacting with the public.
  • Elementary biology and knowledge of Pacific salmonid biology.
  • Filling out field data forms and following oral and written instructions.  

Certification: 

  • CPR/First Aid certification.

 

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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 email Jayme.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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-06492.

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