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Lead Spawning Ground Survey Technician - Scientific Technician 3 - Permanent - *11184-24

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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Working Title- Lead Spawning Ground Survey Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 3 
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent 
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
 
 
Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities? Join our team and turn your passion into a rewarding career!
 
As a leader in your field, assist with leading the spawning ground crew and in gathering biological data contributing to the conservation and management of Washington’s salmon and steelhead populations. 

Support the Willapa Bay watershed through coordination with fish biologists, maintaining positive relationships with private landowners, and hands-on fieldwork with the spawning ground crew.
 
 
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Lead Spawning Ground Survey Technician will,
 
Implement and Conduct Salmon and Steelhead Spawner Surveys:

  • Assists with planning weekly schedules, leads daily crew activities, and uses established procedures and protocols to conduct salmonid redd count surveys within selected stream reaches of Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. Adjusts accordingly based on weather and river conditions.
  • Conducts stream surveys and identifies, records, and monitors salmon and steelhead redds and carcass recovery (live/dead fish counts) within the selected stream reaches. May include walking, rafting (pontoon, jet powered sled, kayaks), fix-wing aircraft, and/or helicopter to conduct surveys.
  • Samples salmon and steelhead carcasses to obtain stock composition (DNA), age composition (scales), adult vs. jack proportions, hatchery and natural-origin proportions (mark-status), coded wire tag (CWT) collection for stock specific impacts to fisheries, and other biological samples as needed.
  • Assists with contacting private landowners and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for permission to gain access to land and assists with acquiring gate keys to gain access to stream survey sections.
  • Assists fishery biologists with training, development of training protocols, and implementation of proper protocols for spawning ground surveys (SGS).
  • Keeps supervisor informed daily regarding the status of work projects and emerging issues.
  • Electronically collects data on spawning ground surveys using iForms.

Conduct Recreational Creel Monitoring:

  • Operates a motorized vessel to conduct boat-to-boat on-the-water surveys, using public fishing boat launches.
  • Conducts hook and line sampling (test fishing) within Willapa Bay marine area for Chinook genetic/DNA collection using various sport fishing gear types and techniques used by the recreational marine angler fleet. May include scheduling, preparation of supplies and vessel, and implementation of proper protocols and procedures for the boat survey.

Organize and Summarize Data: 

  • Leads data entry and quality control/analysis for the spawning ground data. This may include, documentation, summarization, tabulation of daily spawner data, including redd counts, and GPS data into access databases.

 
Working Conditions:
 
Work Setting, including hazards:

  • Primarily field work, including in adverse weather and sea conditions. Squat for long periods, repetitive hand movements, climb in and out of boats, work in confined spaces and around fish blood, slime, slippery surfaces, and use of knives.
  • Drive long distances and hike three (3) to five (5) miles, occasionally up to 15 miles per day, into remote areas on private and public timberlands.
  • Walk along streams on slick boulders, wade riffles (shallow, fast-moving areas of streams), and maneuver watercraft (such as a raft or pontoon boat).
  • Occasional heavy lifting of equipment, watercraft, or salmon carcasses (up to or greater than 40 lbs. unassisted).
  • Some work is performed in an office setting.
  • Snorkel in cold, fast-flowing/whitewater conditions.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Field work generally falls outside of the normal 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. work schedule. Will work 40 hours per week, 24/7 non-scheduled. Weekend and evening work may be required. Work hours may vary due to inclement weather, length of daylight, river conditions, available access, and fish densities. 
 
Travel Requirements: Most travel will occur within Willapa Bay basin (Pacific or Grays Harbor counties) from the duty station to the assigned port for marine recreational fishery monitoring or to freshwater river systems for spawning ground surveys. Travel time will fluctuate daily depending on the field site location. Some travel outside of basin may be required.
 
Tools and Equipment: Personal flotation device (PFD), iPads, wading gear, walking stick, GPS units, radios, coded wire tag (CWT) wands, biological sampling supplies, knives, and forceps. Raft or pontoon boats may be necessary for some spawner surveys.
 
Customer Interactions: Regularly interact with the public (recreational anglers and landowners) to develop and maintain positive relationships and promote cooperation. Provide daily reports of observations and project status to WDFW biologists.
 
 
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
 
Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science AND four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.
 
OR 
 
Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science AND four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, 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.
 
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

  • Obtain basic First Aid/CPR certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire and maintain certification.
  • Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.
  • WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire and maintain certification.
  • Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) boat training certification.

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

  • Background in elementary biology and knowledge of Pacific salmonid biology.
  • Knowledge of the salmonid species present in the Southwest coastal watersheds, their spawning behavior, general life histories, and fishery management methods.
  • Familiarity with the geography of the Southwest coastal area waters.
  • Background in fish hatchery procedures.

Experience with:

  • Salmon and Steelhead spawning ground surveys.
  • Paddling watercraft, such as rafts or hard-sided drift boats.
  • Wading in rivers and/or floating rivers in various watercraft.
  • Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.
  • ArcGIS software and collection of spatial data.

 
Your application should include the following:

  • A completed online application.
  • An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
  • 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 danielle.gustafson@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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-11184.

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