Full-time Permanent- Career Seasonal

7- month Scientific Technician 3

Fish Program – Fish Management – Puget Sound Management

(1) April 8 – June 15 – Cornet Boat Ramp Deception Pass State Park

Do you want to contribute to the agency mission by providing maximum recreational fishing opportunities while ensuring the long-term conservation of salmon, steelhead and inland fisheries resources?   Do you want to make a positive impact to the recovery of federal ESA listed anadromous stocks?  If so, then join a great team that shares your interests!

Department of Fish and Wildlife presents a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience to help develop a fisheries career in salmon aquaculture.   Must be a team player, resourceful, demonstrate a strong work ethic, and produce high quality work.

This position functions as fisheries sampler and test fisher, performing advanced technical scientific duties, independently executing established and new sampling procedures, and training and directing technicians in sampling Puget Sound fisheries. Proper implementation of this region’s fisheries sampling program provides the information necessary to estimate catch and effort statistics for commercial and recreational fisheries management, assessment of biological information by stock, and subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and court-mandated catch allocations. The responsibilities of this position include advanced technical scientific duties and are performed under very limited supervision.

April 8 – June 15: Creel sampling lingcod, halibut, shrimp, salmon, and other marine fish or shellfish species.
June 16 – October 7:   Test fishing for salmon or other species as deemed necessary to comply with fisheries management objectives or other special projects.

KEY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
Conduct test fishing and angler effort surveys in multiple CRC areas of Puget Sound, including but not limited to Marine Areas 6, 7, 8-1, 8-2, and 9, during mark selective fisheries. 
Tasks include: 
Pilot WDFW research vessels to conduct test fishing.
Use a variety of methods (e.g. weight and bait, downrigger, jigging, diver) to emulate the recreational fishing fleet.  Operate outboard and inboard/outboard motorboats, including trailering and docking in all types of weather conditions.  Perform minor routine maintenance on the boat, motor, trailer, and test fishing equipment.  Operate GPS, depth finder, AIS, VHP, and electronic data collection devices.
Ensure safety of self and other samplers while at sea.   Follows all rules, safety procedures, and agency policies on operation of vessels at sea.
Train and direct seasonal technicians assigned to test fish on sampling processes and procedures, fish and shellfish identification, use of sampling equipment and electronic data collection devices.
Sample catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal & sublegal proportions) and hatchery/wild fractions (mark-status proportions).  Assess overall health rating to each fish prior to release to aid in our attempts to look at survival of released fish.   Summarize the amount of time spent on fishing each method.  Record data using an electronic device.  Ensure data is accurately recorded, summarized and uploaded to headquarters’ database and regional supervisor.
Pilot WDFW research vessels to conduct angler effort surveys.  Intercept recreational and charter fishing vessels at sea (both stationery and trolling) to conduct angler effort interviews.   Record returning ramp location, number of anglers, and target species for each boat intercepted.

Sample recreational fisheries for salmon, halibut and other marine fish, and shellfish catch to determine catch per unit effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and marine fish.
Tasks include: 
Interview as many recreational fishery anglers as possible at assigned boat launch facilities, marina, and shore-based fishing locations.  Properly implement interview (creel) procedures and fisheries sampling protocols, and accurately record data in appropriate electronic data forms.  Train and direct seasonal technicians on sampling processes and procedures, fish and shellfish identification, use of sampling equipment and electronic data collection devices.  Observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.  Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tags (CWT) detection devices (wand or T-wand detectors).   Classify, sort, and enumerate marked tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.   Retrieve snouts with CWTs from Chinook and Coho to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.   Sample recreational salmon catch biological data including DNA, age units, and sex ratios. 
 
Participate in special studies and other duties as assigned.
Tasks include: 
Follow all Covid-19 and other safety protocols while performing all duties.  Collect additional catch or biological information for salmon, marine fish, or shellfish when requested.   Participate in boat-based effort surveys for selective fisheries.  Sample high effort recreational fisheries and Terminal Area Fisheries (TAF) to provide data for in-season catch and effort estimates.   These studies are intensive and require additional people at the sampling sites and on the water.
Review data and maintains sampling equipment. Make field purchases as needed.  Complete Total Time to submit timesheets and submit travel and purchasing information when needed.  Complete state and agency trainings and attend staff meetings.
 
WORKING CONDITIONS: 
Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Work is done both inside and outside, during adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, lifting (40 lb. max), working and standing in a confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, rain gear, equipment holsters, personal floatation devices (PFD), agency identifying clothing, biting and stinging insects, and use of knives.          

Schedule: 

• This position is 24/7 (non-scheduled); 8-10 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. 40 hours per week; weekend and evening work required.

 Travel Requirements: 

• Puget Sound area, seldom overnight

 Tools and Equipment: 

• Outboard motor boat operation including proper and safe fueling, boat trailer, GPS, compass, data logger, fishing tackle and gear including downriggers, computer, pick-up trucks, cell phones, electronic sampling equipment, weighing scale, VHF radio, AIS, Radar, calculator, knives, PFD, marine survival suit, rubber boots, rain gear, wand and tunnel CWT detectors. Use of Microsoft Teams.

 Customer Interactions:

• Interacts with the public during data collection and provides basic information regarding fish resources as well as agency programs and activities.
• Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
• Includes some contact with those who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated.
• Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.

Licenses:

• Valid unrestricted Driver’s License
• Motorboat Operators Certification Course, Washington State boater’s card, or equivalent
• Basic First Aid and CPR with AED

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science AND four years of experience as a Scientific Technician,

OR 

• Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science AND four years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

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.
 
Work experience:
Minimum six months or more operating 16’-28’ length motorized vessels in marine waters such as the Puget Sound or equivalent area.
Competent in fishing for salmon from a vessel.

PREFERRED WORK EXPERIENCE: 

• Twelve months experience fishing for salmon in Puget Sound or equivalent area.
• Twelve months experience sampling fisheries in Puget Sound.
• Experience with basic maintenance of vessels and trailers.

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 cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume
• Responses to supplemental questions
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT 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.

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.

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 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

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@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.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and 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.

This recruitment is essential Staff necessary to prosecute fisheries, hunting opportunities

*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks)
 
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.