For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3561147/scientific-technician-3-coastal-marine-fish-technician-permanent-07360-22

Salary– $3,294.00 – $4,286.00 Monthly

• Collects biological (weight, length, sex, maturity, genetic tissue samples, ageing structures) and catch composition data from research, commercial, and recreational marine fish landings.
• Evaluates fish landing receipts (tickets) and logbooks for accuracy, relying on knowledge of fishery, target species, bycatch, and gears.
• Seeks appropriate level of support (supervisor or WDFW Enforcement) to address and resolve problems with processors or fishers that impede sampling program operations.
• Maintains, or develops as needed, electronic data collection applications appropriate for commercial marine fish fishery dockside sampling.
• Processes and prepares fins, otoliths, or other ageing structures, and other marine fish biological samples for further analysis.
• Alerts fishery participants to groundfish and hagfish regulation changes. Educates industry as needed to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Responds to public inquiries for information about groundfish and hagfish.
• Assigns and inventories workstations and keys for WDFW staff stationed at the Forks field office.
• Coordinates office maintenance and supply with co-located WDFW staff, the WDFW IT department and CAMP when necessary.
• Addresses pertinent office issues with immediate supervisor and other project leads assigned to this field station diplomatically and in a timely manner.
• Serves on the regional safety committee.
• Maintains and cleans sampling equipment per unit protocols and schedules.
• Manages assigned vehicle maintenance and cleaning following unit protocols and schedules.
• Assists marine fish dockside sampling at Ilwaco, Chinook, Westport, and Bellingham.
• Participates in at-sea research surveys of the marine fish species that inhabit Washington’s coastal waters from the Washington/Oregon border to the Sekiu River – Strait of Juan de Fuca.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work settings may include onboard vessels while at-sea, coastal beaches and estuaries, fish buying facilities, recreational or commercial fishing docks, laboratories, and office environments.
  2. Shoreside sampling duties will be conducted outdoors with minimal protection during inclement weather.
  3. At-sea duties may be performed onboard agency-owned vessels, chartered vessels, or commercial fishing vessels in unprotected coastal waters where sea state conditions can deteriorate quickly. Assigned duties and tasks are expected to be completed in any sea state condition the vessel captain and lead biologist deem safe. Some extended at-sea trips may require living onboard vessels for up to 6 days with limited or reduced accommodations (i.e., bunking in shared space, water restrictions for bathing, basic cooking facilities).
  4. Assigned work will be conducted in rough seas, in severe inclement weather, and on slippery/uneven/steep/moving decks and docks. Climbing steps/ladders, frequent and repetitive lifting of baskets of fish weighing up to 50 pounds unassisted over a 10-hour work shift, communicating on a CB/VHF radio, and hearing/communicating over loud motors and other vessel equipment is necessary to successfully perform all tasks. Processing biological samples requires sitting in a laboratory setting up to 10 hours per shift.
  5. Other potential hazards include vessel mechanical failure; risk of puncture wounds and lacerations from sampling equipment, knives, or fish spines; and repetitive stress injury from processing fish samples and computer data entry.
• Schedule:
  1. The daily or weekly schedule associated with port sampling or other fieldwork is highly variable; schedule flexibility is crucial as work is dictated by fishing patterns and seasons, processing operations, and ocean/weather conditions, or project needs.
  2. Days or times to report to work is often scheduled on short notice, i.e., less than one day advance notice.
  3. This position involves working days, evenings, nights, or weekends. Work schedules for office or lab duties can be more predictable.
  4. Field work: 24/7 typically up to 40 hours per week but on occasion up to 60 hours/week during peak fishing seasons.
  5. Office/lab work is typically 8-5, M-F or 4-10s.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Highly variable depending on activity.
  2. Travel is necessary for some projects and will entail multiple nights at hotel/motel accommodations at agency expense.
  3. Depending on specific project logistics, meals will be provided for the group as “camp groceries” or individuals will be responsible for acquiring food for personal use from grocery stores or restaurants. When in travel status per diem is available to cover food expenses.
  4. May require occasional overnight travel to other ports (in state and out-of-state) for dockside sampling or to provide training for other samplers. Overnight trips of up to 5 days may be required to attend trainings or scientific conferences.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Any equipment needed for collecting biological data, tagging, or recovering/releasing marine species.
  2. Vehicles or vessels will be used to access needed information.
  3. Scientific equipment includes personal computer, electronic data loggers, electronic and mechanical scales, fishing rods/reels, pressure washer, tagging guns, knives, dissection tools measuring boards and cameras.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Position may interact with volunteers, recreational and commercial fishermen, environmental groups, fish buyers/processors, inter-agency scientists and managers, and the general public.
  2. Acts as a liaison between WDFW and commercial/recreational fishers.
  3. Provides information on WDFW activities, policies, regulations, and general biology.
  4. Provides technical advice to WDFW Enforcement.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field may 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.

OR

License:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

General Knowledge:

• Familiarity with commercial fishery landing and processing operations, and sport fishery operations.
• Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing marine gears, methods and regulations.
• Working knowledge of marine fish sampling techniques and random sample design.
• Knowledgeable of WISHA, DOSH, and agency safety standards; capable of implementing and enforcing safety protocols.

Sampling Qualifications:

• Strong marine fish species identification skills; can correctly identify the approximately 100 species of groundfish and 10 coastal pelagic species found on the Washington coast.
• Skilled at procedures for collecting and processing biological ageing structures (otoliths, fins) from a variety of marine fish species.
• Ability to collect data systematically with a high degree of accuracy, precision, and completeness.
• Familiar with laboratory equipment including microscopes, precision saws and fume hoods; capable of operating lab equipment safely following State and Federal guidelines.

Computing:

• Basic skills using Microsoft Excel, Access, and email software, and iFormBuilder.
• Skilled in collecting real time data accurately and with minimal errors on electronic devices while in the field, including at sea.
• Can proficiently review and compile data collected by themselves and/or coworkers for quality control.

Communication Abilities:

• Strong skills in diplomacy and relationship building between coworkers, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Capable of communicating and being easily accessible via phone and e-mail.
• Can clearly communicate verbally and in writing with individuals and groups within and outside of the agency.