See full details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3193494/scientific-technician-2-two-2-openings-non-permanent-08694

Duties

Our Science Technician 2, 

Conducts spawning area surveys and carcass surveys for adult salmon. Identifies and counts live adult salmon at the Ballard Locks. Conducts creel surveys and gill net monitoring projects in the Lake Washington basin.  

Tasks Include: 

• Accurately identifying and counting Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon redds in Lake Washington tributary streams. 
• Walking streams and floating rivers on rafts to access and count salmon redds and carcasses. 
• Taking biological samples from salmon carcasses in the field. 
• Identifying and counting live Chinook, sockeye, and coho at the Ballard Locks fish ladder viewing window. 
• Deploying gill nets and trap nets to capture and monitor non-native warm water fish species in Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish. 
• Collecting length measurements, scale samples, otolith samples, DNA samples, and other tissue samples from salmon carcasses and warmwater fish species inhabiting the Lake Washington watershed. 
• Conducting creel surveys that involve interviewing and counting anglers, sometimes on weekends or early mornings. Explains research projects and sampling procedures to sport fishermen and members of the public to enlist cooperation and support for agency priorities.

Reviews, records, and tabulates adult salmon redd, salmon count, and carcass related data. 

Tasks Include:

• Accurately reviewing, recording, and tabulating field data and entering into logbook daily. 
• Accurately and neatly recording biological data from salmon carcasses onto scale cards or other data forms. 
• Recording warmwater fish species, length, and catch per unit effort data associated with gill net and trap net surveys onto specified forms. 
• Entering raw data from a variety of field survey projects into databases using Microsoft Excel, providing short written summaries of survey work, and providing written email updates of survey work to biologists from other organizations. 
• Documenting typical habitat conditions and other field survey work with photos taken with a digital camera or cell phone. 
• Preparing written report sections for review by the Area Biologist. 
• Attending meetings and providing oral descriptions or presentations of field projects that have been conducted to biologists from other organizations. 

Follows all relevant safety protocols while conducting spawning area surveys and fish counts at the Ballard Locks.

          Tasks Include

• Walking safely and efficiently in streams and safely and effectively operating a raft on rivers where salmon spawning ground surveys are conducted. 
• Operating motorboats on lakes. 
• Communicating and coordinating with the USACE staff at the Locks to ensure safety. 
• Maintaining field survey equipment to ensure it is in good working order.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards: 
  1. This position requires the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time, often outdoors in remote locations over rugged terrain. Work will involve walking and (occasionally) rafting in swift-water streams or rivers to survey salmon spawning areas. Some work will involve working in boats on large lakes and deploying net gear. Some work will involve working at the Ballard Locks and conducting fish counts in public areas in coordination with staff from the US Army Corps of Engineers. Work will occasionally occur during periods of inclement weather. 
  2. Acute vision is important for proper adult salmon identification. 
  3. Attention to detail and good record keeping are required for accurate data recording.
• Schedule:
  1. The primary work schedule will be 40 hours per week and will include work on some weekend days and holidays. 
  2. A portion of the work will be conducted on a set schedule between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, four days per week, and will likely include one weekend day per week.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. None.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Wading gear, hand tally clicker, safety harness, life preserver. 
  2. Single person raft, multiple person raft, motorboat.
• Customer Interactions: 
  1. Regular interaction with biologists and non-biological staff from outside organizations. 
  2. Some contact with sport anglers and members of the general public, including visitors to the Locks. 

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND

OR

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.

Knowledge of: 

• Salmon life history.
• Basic computer operation with experience in Microsoft Excel and Word.

Ability to:

• Effectively and correctly identify, collect, organize, and document salmon related count data.
• Consistently and accurately document information and update records/databases.
• Work independently with very little direct oversight. 

Certifications/Licenses: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience with:

• Collecting biological samples from Pacific salmon or other fish species. 
• Handling live fish.
• Identifying Pacific salmon and salmon redds.

Supplemental Information

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 letters will not be accepted).
• Current resume. 

IMPORTANT NOTES:  

On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14 which requires that all employees of all state agencies not headed by an elected official be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. Fully vaccinated includes the two-week waiting period after the last shot in each series, or single shot, is given. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide verification of COVID vaccination. A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here. Vaccination acceptable documents link

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.

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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 skills in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).