Full-Time/Permanent

Scientific Technician 2

Anticipated start date is February 1, 2021 

This recruitment is essential to maintain operations and fulfill WFDW’s legal obligations.  Essential and critical functions directly related to the survival of ESA listed species Or functions that are legally required or treaty obligated for EAS species.

WDFW staff comprise a talented and passionate group of people dedicated to protecting Washington’s Natural Resources.  

This is recruitment is for one (1) permanent Scientific Technician 2 in the Fish Program, Region 5, Management, ESA-Anadromous Fish Investigations Unit.   The duty station is the Region 5 Office, located at 5525 S. 11thSt., Ridgefield, WA.
 

This position contributes directly to agency goals by following established protocols to collect data in the field which is used to better understand and manage ESA-Listed populations in the Lower Columbia River (LCR) and its WA tributaries.

Responsible for collecting data needed to measure Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) parameters in the LCR.

 Duties include but are not limited to:  

• Conducting adult salmonid spawning ground surveys for steelhead, Chinook, and chum.
• Participate in mainstem Columbia River salmonid seining for chum broodstock collection
• Assist in the installation, operation, maintenance, and removal of adult fish weirs.
• Assist with data entry into established spreadsheets and databases, proof field datasheets, scale cards, databases, and spreadsheets.
• Assist with the monitoring of the health and diversity of steelhead, Chinook, coho, and chum salmon populations throughout the LCR and its WA tributaries.
• Provide information needed to assess stock status and maintain sustainable recreational opportunities, which includes working in conjunction with other field technicians, biologists, hatchery staff, IT staff, program managers in Region 5, other agencies, and the public.
• Assist with measuring VSP parameters for summer/winter steelhead, Chinook, coho, and chum salmon throughout the LCR and its WA tributaries.
• Conduct fieldwork to collect data needed to estimate escapement, hatchery/wild proportions, and document spatial distribution.
• Responsible for data entry and proofing of biological and survey data into standardized spreadsheets and databases.

Working Conditions 
Working sitting, including hazards:

• Working outdoors and exposed to hot (daytime temperatures >100 degrees at times) and cold (air temps in low 30’s combined with wind speeds >25 mph) conditions and often with wet slippery footing.
• Must be able to lift (with or without assistance) large, live fish (typically up to 30 lbs).
• Repetitively carry loads up to 70 pounds short distances over rough terrain.
• Walking up to six miles per day over rough terrain under adverse weather conditions.
• Climbing in and out of boats.
• Safely and competently operate non-motorized pontoon catarafts in whitewater conditions (up to class 3 rapids).
• Must accurately record repetitive data under adverse environmental conditions for long work hours.
• Sampling spawned out salmon carcasses with very strong odors. 
• Conducting spawning ground surveys by foot or cataraft.
• Operating, sampling, and tagging salmonids at traps, weirs or seining sites.
• Installing and removing fish monitoring equipment (weirs and traps).
• Walking long distances through rough and heavily vegetated environments transporting survey gear and equipment.

Schedule:  

• 80% of the time is fieldwork and the work schedule is 24/7.
• Standby may be required if staff presence is needed to monitor fish movement, trap box capacity, and to protect agency resources at an adult fish weir on the Washougal River.
• The incumbent may share standby responsibilities with one (1) or two (2) other staff members while the temporary weir is operated (typically August 1 through October 31 on an annual basis).

Customer Interactions:

• Interacts with landowners in the field.
• Discusses objectives of projects and intent of surveys being completed in the area.
• Landowners’ pets and wildlife encounters are other potential field encounters.
• May interact with personnel from other State and/or Federal agencies.

Tools and Equipment: 

• Towing boats
• Using hand and carpentry tools (including winches, pulleys, and blocks).
• Operating catarafts, 4×4 vehicles, deploying 200’ beach seines.
• Using CWT detectors, handheld data loggers and GPS units, collecting biological samples, using a computer and possibly a palmtop computer, backpack electrofishers, DO meters, and most importantly the brain.

Travel Requirements:

• Overnight travel is required as part of the job certain times of the year.
• Daily travel to and from field locations is required.

 License:

• A valid unrestricted driver’s license (driving abstract may be requested).
• Currently certified, or become certified at a future date, for back-pack electro-shocker operations adhering to NOAA’s electro-fishing guidelines.

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.”

• Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1

OR 

• Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Preferred candidate must have work experience in the following areas and possess the following: 

• Basic operation of a personnel computer
• Ability to do basic functions in MS Excel and Access
• Physical ability to repetitively walk up to six miles per day over rough terrain under adverse weather conditions.
• Physical ability to repetitively carry loads up to 70 pounds short distances over rough terrain.
• Ability to operate oar-powered such as drift boats, catarafts, pontoon boats in white water conditions through class 1-3 rapids.
• Ability to identify salmonid redds.
• Ability to identify all adult and juvenile salmonid species found within the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
• Knowledge of adult trapping techniques including resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs.
• Knowledge of electrofishing techniques.
• Knowledge of fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
• Knowledge of CWT and PIT tag detector operation.
• Ability to operate handheld GPS and data logger devices.
• Ability to attain basic CPR/First Aid certification.
• Ability to work shifting schedule.
• Ability to work alone and/or with others
• Ability to work alone and/or with others

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic skills in aluminum and steel welding, bending and cutting.
• Knowledge of basic carpentry skills.
• Advanced use of MS Excel and Access.
• Ability to swim and snorkel in rivers.
• Completion of USFWS or WDFW certified Motorboat Operation Certification Course.

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.  

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 chronological resume profile that includes education and employment history.
• Detailed responses to all supplemental questions.
• Three professional references.

NOTE:

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.

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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Subject line should 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

“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.