6–months – FULL-TIME-NON-PERMANENT

(2) Scientific Technician 2 *04817-21

Fish Program – Fish Management – Region 3

2620 N Commercial Ave

Pasco, WA 99301 

Anticipated start date is June 16, 2021 through December 15, 2021

Do you want to contribute to the agency mission by providing maximum recreational fishing opportunities while ensuring the long-term conservation of salmon and marine 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!

WDFW staff comprise a talented and passionate group of people dedicated to protecting Washington’s natural resources while providing sustainable recreational opportunities for all.

Our ideal applicants will have a positive can-do attitude as they collect/sample data.  In addition, the candidate will share our values of trust, respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is eager to work hard and have fun in an environment where there’s never a dull moment.

Management of Columbia River salmon and steelhead populations under US v OR requires in-season assessment of harvest and impacts (catch & release) to meet regional pre-season and in-season harvest allocations. Summer (chinook and sockeye) and fall (chinook and coho) fisheries are allocated harvest based on pre-season forecasts and allocations are managed in-season based on updates from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

Region 3 is responsible for estimating effort, catch, harvest, and origin of salmon and steelhead during summer and fall fisheries from the Highway 395 Bridge (Pasco) upstream to Priest Rapids Dam. Two technicians are necessary during the summer fishery to collect information from anglers on effort, catch, harvest; and to collect biological samples to determine age and origin. The fall fishery requires up to six technicians to generate estimates of effort, catch, harvest, and to collect biological samples to determine age and origin.

In addition, Region 3 salmon and steelhead population management requires sampling of the Ringold Springs and Priest Rapids Hatchery adult returns and sampling of the naturally spawning populations of fall chinook in the Hanford Reach and the Yakima River upstream to Prosser Dam. Up to 17 technicians are required to conduct stream surveys of these two rivers.

KEY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Field Data Collection

Tasks include: 

Sport Fishery Surveys:

• Technician will collect detailed information from anglers participating in salmon/steelhead sport fisheries during on-site interviews.
• Technician must determine effort through boat trailer index counts and bank angler counts at area boat launches and fishing access areas.
• Technician will identify harvest to species and collect biological information from the harvest including number, length, gender, fin clips, and collect scales for aging. Unless otherwise noted all harvested fish will be scanned for the presence of coded wire tags.
• Any fish with a code wire tag present will be sampled following the above listed protocols and the snout will be removed and transported to the WDFW District office for processing

Stream Surveys:

• Technician will collect and identify post spawn salmon to species and collect biological information including number, length, gender, fin clips, otoliths/coded wire tags (aging and origin), scales for aging, and dissect females to determine spawn success (egg retention).
• Stream surveys will be primarily conducted by boat but will require hiking along shorelines as well.

Travel (daily)

Tasks include: 

• Technician is responsible for safe operation of State vehicles and boats.
• Technician will be travelling to sampling locations.
• Travel will include Interstate, highway, rural, primitive roadways, and boat launches.
• Technician must have valid driver’s license and operate under State laws and strictly adhere to WDFW policies.
• Technician is responsible for fueling, oil, lubrication, checking for routine maintenance (oil & tires), and alerting supervisor to mechanical problems. Technician must record location of travel, miles driven, and fuel receipts daily. Technician will conduct stream surveys on foot and by boat.
• Technician will be required to tow, launch, and operate State boats ranging from 18’ to 20” in length. All boats are motorized with outboard jet propulsion. Technician is responsible for fueling, oil (2-cycle), lubrication, checking for routine maintenance (oil, tires, wheel bearings), and alerting supervisor to mechanical problems.
• Technician must maintain and record all fuel receipts.
• Technician is responsible for safe operation of all State vehicles (including boats) to prevent damage to vehicles, injury to the public or public property, and staff.

Following Sampling Protocols and Methods

Tasks include: 

• Technician is responsible for ensuring all biological samples are collected following field sampling protocols defined by their supervisors and will review all data collected in the field for completeness and accuracy during and at the completion of each days sampling.
• Technician will properly package, label, and record all information.
• Samples include snouts from CWT detections, scale samples, and otolith sampling.

Vehicle Maintenance

Tasks include: 

• Technician ensures that all equipment and vehicles assigned to this Project are fueled and maintained.
• Vehicles and boats must be checked daily for routine maintenance (oil, tires, lights), pump lubrication (boats), and alerting supervisor to mechanical problems.
• All vehicles and boats will be inspected daily for proper safety requirements (disinfecting supplies, life jackets, etc).

Coordination of Sampling, Data Collection and Entry

Tasks include: 

• Technician must coordinate all activities under the sport fishery creel program and stream surveys with the Region 3 District 4 Fish Biologist and field crew leads when applicable.
• Data collected each day will be reviewed for accuracy and completeness and entered into an Excel database at the end of each day of sampling.
• Supervisor will routinely contact technician to update schedules and review and assess completion of data collection, sampling protocols, biological sampling, and data entry.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work setting including hazards:

• Work is conducted primarily in the field and will require travel to multiple public access sites and remote locations including work on-river in the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River and the lower 30 miles of the Yakima River.
• Field work will be conducted during inclement weather including extreme heat, extreme cold, rain, and snow.
• Position will require some hiking over rough and slippery terrain.
• Potential encounters with dangerous wildlife including rattlesnakes, or illegal activities are possible.
• Individual may work with chemicals for biological sampling (ethanol) and vehicle operations (gasoline and oil).
• Technician will be responsible for use and care of vehicles, boats, equipment, PIT tag readers, and CWT wands.
• Position will require strong professional communication skills with daily interactions with anglers during creel surveys.
• Technician will be stationed alone at public fishing areas for up to 10 hours per day to conduct creel sampling.
• Many locations are primitive without facilities or quick availability to medical facilities.
• Most of the work will be near the Hanford Department of Energy site.
• Position will require completion of all State and WDFW mandatory trainings and acknowledgement of all applicable WDFW policies.
• Technician will be required to complete training in field sampling protocols, data collection and recording, data entry, vehicle operation/maintenance, emergency action plan, District office operations, and COVID related protocols prior to the working in the field.
• In addition, the technician’s data will be routinely reviewed for completion, accuracy, and to ensure all sampling and safety protocols are closely adhered to.

Schedule: 

• Position is fulltime and may occasionally require work over 40 hours per week.
• Scheduled days and hours of work will vary and will require work on all weekends.

 Travel Requirements: 

• Employee will routinely travel to public and primitive access sites along the Columbia and lower Yakima Rivers.
• State vehicle will be provided. Stream surveys will require travel and routinely working from boats in the Columbia River.

 Customer Interactions:

• Position will require strong professional communication skills with daily interactions with anglers and the public during creel surveys.
• Technician will be collecting angler information on fishing times, locations, catch, and harvest in addition to biologically sampling all fish from each boat/angler.

 Tools:

License/Certifications:

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

• Ability to record research data clearly and accurately.
• Experience with entering data into Excel/Access databases.
• Applicant must be organized and detailed oriented.
• Ability to work as a team member or independently.
• Able to follow directions or ask for clarification so tasks are completed properly.
• Be timely, dependable and be willing to have flexibility in their work schedule.

Preferred experience:

Degree in fisheries or natural resources

• 1+ years fisheries experience.
• Proficient identification of freshwater and anadromous fish species of the Columbia River. Experienced boat operator with outboard jet river operation.

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. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

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

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. 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.

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:

• 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.

*(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.

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