Salary: $3,376.00 – $4,497.00 Monthly
Location: Asotin County – Clarkston, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Closing Date: 9/14/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Are you interested applying your fish-science savvy to help with fish population recovery programs? WDFW is seeking an individual to assist with the Lower Snake River Steelhead Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) project and more. 

In this dynamic role, you will collect and record physical and biological data, such as species, size, scale samples during the Asotin Creek field season, while working with our lead biologist to compile graphics and summarizing field data for monthly summaries and annual reports.

Picture yourself, assisting with construction, assembly and installation of fish weirs, adult fish traps, instream Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags arrays and other equipment that is critical to WDFW’s daily operations.

With that in mind, you will assist in collaborative surveys that lead to tributary abundance estimates and offer insight into habitat conditions within the basin.

This is an opportunity, for you to support WDFW’s conservation principles and foundational work of monitoring fish populations, for example you may conduct creel surveys for steelhead and fall chinook on the Snake River and its Tributaries. 

In the spirit of building collaboration and teamwork, you embrace our ASPIRE values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, Empathy… and as such will help create a workplace that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

Duties

Here’s a highlight of some of the work you will be doing:
Adult and juvenile salmonid weir/trap construction, installation, daily maintenance, and data collection: 

• Conduct daily adult and juvenile trap checks and ensure safe handling and anesthetization of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed salmonids and other fish species.
• PIT tagging of adult and juvenile salmonids.
• Assist with trap repair and construction and instream installation, plus weir and trap removal.
• Assist in a variety of surveys including electrofishing, Creel, spawning ground and instream habitat.

Data entry and Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC) while managing the Juvenile (JV) Database: 

• Review data daily to ensure accuracy.
• Oversee Data backup and uploading to PIT Tag Information System (PTAGIS.org) website.
• Collect, and record accurate biological data and field observations, using P4 software and Microsoft Access Forms. 

Other duties may include:

• Data projects
• Electrofishing Surveys
• Spawning Ground Surveys
• Creel Surveys
• Instream habitat surveys

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Most of the work is conducted outdoors; Potential hazards include walking on slippery stream substrate, in cold water and on and around adult and juvenile fish traps along with extreme high and low temperatures that may be encountered. 
  • Shop and Office conditions may include working under fluorescent lights, repetitive tasks (data entry), and extended periods looking at computer electronic screens.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Work schedule is typically 5 days/week; and includes weekends.
  • Non-standard work hours and the possibility of weeks in excess of 40 hours during peak survey season.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Typical travel is daily between the office and field sites, generally up to 1.5 hours one way, in a state motor pool vehicle.
  • Other travel is rare, for professional meetings or required training, or to transport supplies, materials, etc.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Handheld power tools, computers and handheld tablets, chain saws, ATV’s, 4WD trucks, smolt trap, weirs, electrofishers, and other common tools of the fisheries field.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Position may interact with private landowners and members of the public while in the field and office.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR

Please Note:

• College or vocational 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. 

• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proficiency in the safe handling and anesthetization of adult and juvenile life forms of ESA-listed salmonids.  
• Accurate identification of juvenile and adult salmonids and other fish species of southeast Washington and the Snake River basin.  
• Basic construction abilities.

Certifications/Licenses: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of fisheries or pertinent biological experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field.
• Proficiency and creativity in computer skills, related to data entry, manipulation, and word processing.
• Experience with multiple types of fish weirs and rotary screw traps.
• Experience in multiple types of fish surveys, including electrofishing, snorkeling, habitat and spawning ground surveys.
• Experience conducting Creel Surveys.
• Experience with P3 and P4, Microsoft Access for recording and managing data.
• Experience PIT tagging adult and juvenile steelhead and other salmonids.

Application Information

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:

• Current resume 
• Cover Letter
• Three professional references 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4188200/scientific-technician-2-permanent-11383-23