Stream Surveyor and Weir Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - *07588-23
FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
STREAM SURVEYOR AND WEIR TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)
Fish Program
Cathlamet, Washington – Wahkiakum County
Anticipated Season Length: 5.5 months
July 17 – December 31
Conservation management is something that motivates you, contribute to the health and diversity of salmon populations by monitoring the health and diversity of populations of salmon (including Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead).
Join the Beaver Creek team and collect data that will assess stock populations throughout the Columbia River and its tributaries!
Spawning Surveys – Credit: Kevin Fox
With that in mind,
Picture yourself providing essential information that is needed to assess the status of different stocks of salmon populations for conservation and to help maintain sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries.
You are excited to engage with other departmental field technicians, biologists, hatchery staff and the public about fishery sampling efforts.
We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties
Sampling Chinook – Credit: Catherine Morello
Here is what you will be doing,
Stream Surveys:
- Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys by foot and pontoon raft on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
- Identify and enumerate (count) adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds -use GPS and iPad devices to mark redd locations and enter biological data.
Adult fish weirs:
- Assist in the daily operation and maintenance of the Grays River and Elochoman River adult fish weirs.
- Collect biological data and mark adult salmonids.
Data collection, entry, and management:
- Use a computer at the regional office or in the field to enter data into established spreadsheets and/or databases.
- Ensure scale cards, coded wire tag (CWT) snouts, DNA and otolith sample collections are complete, properly documented, and submitted in a timely manner.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Approximately 85% fieldwork environment – remaining 15% will be in an office and/or laboratory setting.
- Fieldwork – expected to work in inclement weather, navigate slippery surfaces, repetitively carry loads up to 50 pounds for short distances over rough terrain, walk up to six (6) miles per day, and climb in and out of and non-motorized boats.
- Lift large, live, and dead fish (approximately 30 pounds) and handle salmon carcasses that can contain strong odors.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations and varying flows.
- Schedule:
- 24/7 non-scheduled - may work weekends and holidays as needed.
- Travel Requirements:
- Daily travel from the duty station and to and from field locations is required with either an agency issued vehicle or personal vehicle.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Basic hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys and blocks, and non-motorized watercraft, 4x4 vehicles, 200’ beach seines, coded wire tag (CWT) detectors, global positioning system (GPS) units, weighing scales, handheld data loggers, personal digital assistant (PDA), and computers.
- Customer Interactions:
- Interacting with other departmental personnel, personnel from other agencies, commercial fishers, and the public.
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.
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:
- Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.
- 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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid driver’s license (driving record abstract may be requested at time of interview).
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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Ability to:
- Identify salmonids and other fish species in larval, juvenile and/or adult life stages.
- Identify salmonid redds.
- Surplus hatchery fish at weirs.
- Row non-motorized oar-framed boats such as drift boats and catarafts in white water conditions in Class 1 through 3 rapids.
- Use basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
Knowledge of:
- Resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs.
- Fish marking and tagging protocols.
- Fishery monitoring, observing, and sampling.
- Commercial fishing gear types and methods.
- Basic operations of motorized vessels.
- Basic carpentry skills.
- How to operate coded wire tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag detectors.
Certifications:
- Ability to obtain CPR and First Aid certification.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
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
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
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.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.
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.
For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Liz Bullard at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov. Please reference (2023-07588) in the subject line.
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