For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3404391/scientific-technician-2-non-native-fish-thermal-refugia-technician-3-openings

Salary– $34,368.00 – $44,412.00 Annually

Our Scientific Technicians,  

Conduct Predatory Fish Sampling. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

  • Follow established fish collection and dissection protocols.
  • Collect predatory fish for biological and diet sampling.
  • Collect habitat metrics.
  • Dissect fish for gut content analysis according to protocols.
  • Maintain all associated equipment.

Monitor Thermal Refugia and other stream temperature tasks. Tasks include, but are not limited to:

  • Follow established protocols for stream temperature monitoring.
  • Use equipment to measure stream temperature at various spatial and temporal scales.
  • Assist in fabrication of temperature logger housing.
  • Deploy temperature loggers in the field.
  • Collect data and maintain temperature logger sites throughout the season.
  • Operate rafts to collect longitudinal stream temperature profiles.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

  • Work Setting, including hazards:   
    1. Fish surveys are conducted in the Chehalis watershed at summer low flow conditions, this includes hiking up and down steep slopes while carrying field gear, floating rivers using rafts or pontoon boats, and utilizing generators and outboard motors for boat electrofishing.
    2. Field work will include extended exposure to warm temperatures (summer) and cool temperatures (spring) and work in dry suits or waders, bending, kneeling, and climbing to reach locations and perform duties.
    3. These positions require the safe use of various chemicals including Tricaine Methane sulfonate (MS-22) and lifting and moving heavy objects (50-100 lbs.) which includes large buckets of water to transport fish, sampling gear, and other equipment (typically 2 times per day.)
  • Schedule:   
    1. Work schedule is variable due to the possibility of adverse weather conditions (rain and river flows); however, attempts to maintain a Monday – Thursday 10 hour per day schedule will be made.
    2. Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours and adjustment of work schedules.
  • Travel Requirements: 
    1. Daily travel occurs from the office to sampling sites with WDFW vehicles; overnight travel is extremely rare.
    2. Some local and regional travel is necessary to pick up sampling gear and attend trainings.
  • Tools and Equipment: 
    1. This position requires use of rafts, pontoon boats, electrofishing equipment, seine nets, fishing rods, dissection equipment, hand tools, power tools, generators, outboard motors, global positioning unites, stadia rods, measuring tapes, and computer tablets.
  • Customer Interactions:
    1. Interactions with landowners will occur throughout the season due to the fact that the river flows through private terrestrial property.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science.

AND

  • Two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.

OR 

  • Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science.

AND

  • Two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

SKILLS:

  • Basic swimming skills required.

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, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural or environmental science classes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Initiative and willingness to work as part of a team in remote field conditions.
  • Knowledge of salmonid life history strategies.

Experience in:

  • Electrofishing (from a boat is preferred).
  • Operating outboard motors and generators.
  • Floating rivers with rafts or pontoon boats.
  • Towing boats with trailers.
  • Handheld GPS units and computers.

Ability to:

  • Use hand and power tools.
  • Manage and maintain computer files and use spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel.
  • Use database software such as Microsoft Access.
  • Hike distances of up to 5 miles per day.

Certifications:

  • First Aid and CPR Certification.