FULL-TIME-PERMANENT

(2)Career Seasonal Scientific Technician 2 *04714-21

Fish Program – Fish Management – Region 6 – District 17/Willapa Bay

WDFW Region 6 Office

48 Devonshire Road,

Montesano, WA.   98504

Anticipated start dates are (6.5 months) June 16th through December 31st, or

(5 months) July 26th through December 31st. 

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!

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

KEY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

• Conduct creel surveys in the marine recreational fishery in Willapa Bay Marine Area 2.1.   Conduct angler interviews and collect information on fishing effort, catch (actual harvested), encounters (released species), and biological data such as scales for age composition, fork length, mark status, sex identification, tissue for DNA analysis, and/or coded wire tag (CWT) recovery.
• Conduct spawning ground surveys in freshwater systems within Willapa Bay.  Identifies redds and collects information on location of redd via GPS, species, and/or numbers of live and dead fish by species.  Collects biological samples such as scales for age composition, mark status, sex identification, fork length, coded wire tag recovery, otoliths, tissue for DNA analysis, and/or tissue for DNA analysis.
• On-board observation of the commercial gillnet fishery within Willapa Bay may be necessary to quantify salmon catch, bycatch, and incidental encounters of any other species such as sea birds and marine mammals.  Collects information on fishing times, location of fishing, catch (actual harvested), encounters (released species), mark status of each fish / species, coded wire tag presence or absence, and collects tissue for DNA analysis.
• Collect biological data from the commercial salmon fishery in Willapa Bay may be necessary either in the fish house or on the dock when landing.  Biological data collected may include mark status, scales for age composition, coded wire tags, fork length, sex identification, and/or tissue for DNA analysis.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work Setting, including hazards:   

• The primary work is in the field.
• The work environment is typically outdoors and can be physically demanding.
• During recreational fishery monitoring and commercial monitoring, duties are conducted at the dock, boat launch, gillnet vessel, or fish house. Work hours are spent standing, walking, bending, negotiating boat ramps or slippery surfaces, boarding vessels, and lifting, handling, and manipulating fish up to 40 pounds.
• During spawning ground surveys, the work involves considerable driving and hiking into remote areas on private and public timberlands. Walking along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, or maneuvering watercraft requires moderate strength and agility. Lifting equipment up to and/or greater than 40 pounds may be required.
• Commercial on-board monitoring involves boarding gillnet vessels in the early morning hours and in adverse conditions.  Work hours are spent standing or bending, while on a moving vessel.
• All work includes wet/slippery environment, potential loud noise, close quarters, and potential repetitive work for long periods of time.

Schedule: 

• The hours of work are 24/7 (non-scheduled); weekend, holiday, and evening work may be required.
• Work hours can vary due to inclement weather, river conditions, access, stream flow patterns, fish densities, and length of daylight hours.
• Field sampling start and end times usually fall outside of the normal 8 – 5 work schedules.
• Hours over 40 per week accrues as comp time

Travel Requirements: 

• Travel requirements are within Willapa Bay basin (Pacific County) from duty station to assigned ports for recreational or commercial monitoring or to freshwater river systems for spawning ground surveys.
• Travel time will fluctuate daily depending on field site location.

 Tools and Equipment: 

 Customer Interactions:

• Ability to communicate with the public (recreational or commercial anglers or landowners) regarding current fishery status and regulatory actions.
• Answer basic fishery questions

 License: 

OR

OR

•  College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural science, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semesters or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

NOTE:

Experience is based on full time equivalency (i.e., 40 or more hours/week). Part time work is prorated (e.g., 20 hours/week for 6 years = 3 years of experience). Do not count experience that was a part of your educational requirements.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

Background in elementary biology, in-the-field salmonid identification, and spawning ground survey methodologies is preferred.

• Understand basic field sampling techniques, procedures, and sample rates.
• Experience in MS Office.

Needs inter-personal skills that allow them to build and maintain good working relationships with state and federal organizations as well as with the public. These skills will be necessary to successfully address sometimes contentious issues in the field with hostile fishermen, while maintaining communication, good will, and productivity. These skills may include listening, patience, and understanding.

The ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing is essential. Verbal skills will be employed in communicating ideas in technical discussions with other co-workers and with the public.  A commitment to accuracy in detail is important for recording and summarizing field notes.

• Familiarity with Willapa Bay Basins, protocols, and sampling methodologies.
• Ability to work with ArcGIS to create maps.
• Ability to use and operate watercraft safely and efficiently through treacherous instream obstacles.
• Physically fit enough to hike 10-12 miles along streams and in the woods over uneven terrain.
• Ability to navigate with primitive maps and a GPS to find survey locations.
• The ability to fill out field data forms clearly and concisely (electronic or paper) is necessary.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, have good communication skills, and able to interact with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to work individually or in small groups is necessary.
• Have a flexible work schedule to meet project timelines.
• Able to work in varying weather conditions.
• Able to sample dead fish regardless of their condition.

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. 
• Respond to all of the 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.

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.

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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