Adult Trap & Spawning Ground Surveyor - Sci Tech 2 - Career Seasonal - 2 Openings - *07555-24
TWO (2) OPENINGS
FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
ADULT TRAP & SPAWNING GROUND SURVEYOR
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)
Fish Program – Fish Science Division
Dayton, Washington – Columbia County
Season Length: 5 Months
August 1st - December 31st
We are seeking Adult Trap and Spawning Ground Surveyors to assist the Fall Chinook Program and the Tucannon River Endemic Steelhead Evaluation Project.
Collect, analyze, and report vital data on multiple Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed steelhead and fall Chinook populations.
Come make an impact and contribute to WDFW’s 25-year Strategic Plan, by supporting our conservation principles and the sustainable management of fish populations.
In this dynamic role, you will travel within Southeast Washington to collect data at the Lower Granite Dam adult fish trap, survey streams, and assist at the Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, work with colleagues across divisions of Fish Science, Fish Management, and Hatcheries.
We are seeking a candidate who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties:
Here is what our Adult Trap and Spawning Ground Surveyor will be doing,
Assist with the Fall Chinook Program at the Lower Granite Dam Adult Fish Trap:
- Collect, record, and ensure accurate physical and biological (species, size, and scale samples) data is gathered in a timely manner to certify up-to-date summaries are available.
- Safely handle and apply anesthesia to adult ESA-listed salmonids and other fish species.
- Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag adult salmonids.
- Cooperate and maintain professional demeanor with other agencies at the adult trap, such as but not limited to: the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Nez Perce Tribe, Core of Engineers, and Anchor QEA (Quantitative Environmental Analysis).
Assist with the Fall Chinook Program at the Snake River Lab:
- Participate in weekly spawning activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery during fall Chinook spawning.
- Collect, record, and ensure accurate physical and biological (species, size, and scale samples) data is gathered at spawning events in a timely manner to certify up-to-date summaries are available.
- Conduct spawning ground/carcass Fall Chinook and coho surveys in the Lower Tucannon River.
- Retrieve and read Coded Wire Tags (CWT), pick eggs, and mount scale samples.
Data Management and Data Entry:
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control of data, reconciliation, and summarization of data.
- Enter data into various platforms.
- Format and upload/download PIT tag data to regional databases.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- This position is a combination of both office and field duties – some fieldwork may include working under adverse weather and field conditions.
- Work will be conducted at the Lower Granite Dam adult fish trap, Lyons Ferry Hatchery, and in various Southeast Washington streams.
- Walking 3-4 miles in a stream in all weather conditions for surveys.
- Slippery conditions at Lower Granite Dam adult fish trap and Lyons Ferry Hatchery, cold water, working in/near the stream, working outside in extreme weather conditions throughout the field season.
- Chance of bites/stings from insects, snakes, or other wildlife.
- Sampling salmon carcasses in various states of decay with strong odors.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
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Schedule:
- Typically, day shift, 8-10 hours per day, including weekends.
- Work conducted during the peak field seasons may include non-standard work hours (weekends, evenings/nights, and/or holidays) and weeks over 40 hours.
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Travel Requirements:
- Daily travel to Lower Granite Dam is expected.
- Local travel to complete field surveys and assist in spawning activities at Lyons Ferry, Tucannon River, or other locations within Southeast Washington.
- No overnight travel is expected.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Handheld power tools, chain saws, 4WD trucks, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag transceivers, basic hand tools, knives, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) wand, scales, microscope, handheld GPS units, and personal floatation device (PFD).
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Customer Interactions:
- May interact with private landowners during routine field trap checks and as needed to complete spawning ground surveys.
- Communicate with the public to answer questions and direct them to appropriate contacts.
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 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.
- Closely related qualifying professional or volunteer experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
Basic understanding of:
- Salmonid species in the Pacific Northwest from a biological perspective.
Experience with:
- Spawning ground surveys.
- P4 (a data management program for Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags) and Microsoft Access for recording and managing data.
- PIT tagging adult and juvenile steelhead and other salmonid.
- Microsoft Office applications for data entry/manipulation and word processing.
- Demonstrating proficiency in the safe handling and anesthetization of adult and juvenile life forms of ESA-listed salmonids.
- Accurately identifying juvenile and adult salmonids and other fish species of southeast Washington and the Lower Snake River basin.
Ability to:
- Communicate clearly.
- Perform basic construction.
- Think critically when encountering problems in the field.
- Maintain calm demeanor when interacting with WDFW staff, the public, personnel from other state, federal, and tribal agencies, and local landowners.
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:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
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: Benefits
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.
Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.
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 danielle.gustafson@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 danielle.gustafson@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.
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 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.
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.