For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3458852/scientific-technician-2-puget-sound-samplers-3-openings-career-seasonal

Salary- $34,368.00 – $44,412.00

Our Puget Sound Samplers,

  • Conducts angler creel interviews, provides feedback about sampling protocols, and accurately records data into iPad application and on scale card paper form.
  • Samples all Chinook and Coho salmon with electronic CWT detection devices.
  • Classifies, sorts, and enumerates marked (adipose fin-clipped) and unmarked salmon by CWT status.
  • Uses a knife to remove snouts from Chinook and Coho salmon with CWTs, which are used to assess stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
  • Samples salmon catch to obtain stock composition (DNA taken with scissors), age structure (scales taken with forceps), legal and sub-legal proportions (length taken by measuring device), and hatchery and natural-origin proportions (mark-status).
  • Distributes Salmon Trip Report (STR) forms and collects completed forms.
  • Conducts error checks of sampling data.
  • Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
  • Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.
  • Provides written reports on violations and may be called to give testimony informally or in court.
  • May be responsible for operation and maintenance of an agency vehicle.
  • Responsible for maintaining sampling equipment in good working order.
  • Completes “TotalTime” to submit timesheets and submits travel and purchasing information when needed.
  • Completes state and agency required trainings and attends staff meetings. Other tasks as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Setting, including hazards:
    1. Work is primarily conducted in the field. Adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.
  • Schedule:
    1. 24/7 non-scheduled, 40 hours per week, weekend and evening work required.
    2. Typically, 8 to 10 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
  • Travel Requirements:
    1. Puget Sound area with seldom overnight travel.
  • Tools and Equipment:
    1. The following items are needed for sampling duties; iPad, cell phone, electronic sampling equipment (CWT detector), weighing scale, calculator, knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, tide book, canopy for shade, portable table, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard, and scissors.
    2. This position is provided a personal flotation device (PFD).
    3. The following clothing is supplied: WDFW apparel, rubber boots, gloves, and rain gear.
    4. Copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.
  • Customer Interactions:
    1. Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial anglers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers; interacts with the public during data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities.
    2. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
    3. Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated.
    4. Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the general public.
    5. Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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 science classes.
 

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

OR

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

License:

  • Valid unrestricted driver’s license.

Certification:

  • First Aid/CPR certification must be obtained within 6 months of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • At least 12 months experience creel and/or sampling of recreational and/or commercial fisheries in Puget Sound or a similar area.
  • Able to identify all salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species.
  • Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
  • Knowledge of sport fishing methods and gear.
  • Proper fish handling technique.
  • Experience accurately recording information.
  • Experience working with members of the public.
  • Experience with Microsoft Teams and cell phones.