Description

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 PUGET SOUND SAMPLING SUPPORT TECHNICIAN
 SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 3

Fish Program – Puget Sound Management
 Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

A new opportunity to work at WDFW headquarters with lead Biologists and field staff in our Puget Sound Sampling Unit has emerged. This role will deliver science-based, data-driven measures to ensure top-notch fisheries management now and well into the future. 

This multi-faceted role,
 Conducts the proper implementation of this region’s fisheries sampling program and assists in managing the data necessary to estimate vital statistics for recreational fisheries. 

Picture yourself,
 Performing a range of administrative and technical work to assist biologist and team members, execute established and new protocols and beta testing data collecting platforms.

Duties

• Here’s a look at what our Sampling Support Technician will be doing, 

  Administrative and Sampler Support Responsibilities: 

  • Purchasing:
    • Collect bids; locate equipment and vendors for supplies; order supplies and equipment; organize, store, and distribute supplies throughout the unit. Maintain spreadsheet with information on supplies, orders, equipment, and vendors.
  • Equipment and Inventory:
    • Conduct annual and periodic inventories of sampling supplies. Process forms regarding inventory transfer and surplus. Assist unit supervisors with physical inventory.
  • Vehicles and Vessels:
    • Ensure that all vehicles have the supplies to stay clean, that maintenance requirements are current and that each has the required safety equipment prior to distribution; arrange for vehicle repairs as needed by field staff; facilitate logistics for vehicle; maintain a sign-out system for vehicle use by employees.
  • Spending:
    • On a monthly basis enter information into detailed spreadsheets of spending, updating basic formulas.
    • Process Order Payment Forms (OPF); complete P-Card log.
  • Staffing, Payroll, Timesheets:
    • Assist with the preparation and completion of HR paperwork for positions within the unit as needed.
    • On a monthly basis, cross reference payroll reports to ensure that correct use of Master Index (MI) codes by unit staff in recording their work hours.
  • Warehouse:
    • Organize and maintain storage cages at the warehouse in Olympia WA and other storage spaces for sampling supplies and equipment.

  
   Data Management:

  • Editing:
    • Edit current recreational and commercial sampling data including catch, effort, Coded Wire Tags (CWT) and biological data such as salmon DNA and scales.
  • Data entry:
    • Enter Salmon Trip Report (STR) data provided by e-mail and hard copies, commercial CWT forms, and age data into appropriate databases or spreadsheets using Access, Excel, SmartSheets or web-based interfaces.
  • Data organization and tracking:
    • Ensure all data forms, raw data, and biological samples are returned from field offices and Treaty Tribes, and work to retrieve missing data.
       

  Historical Fisheries Data Verification and Editing:

  • Work with WDFW Biologists and IT Staff to check for errors in historical fisheries data.
  • Cross check database records against digital files or paper datasheets for validation and/or correction of errors.

  Fisheries Sampling:

  • Aerial surveys:
    • Conduct aerial flight surveys in a small plane over Puget Sound waters, recording angler boat count data in electronic forms.
  • Fisheries sampling, Boat Surveys and Test Fishing:
    • Sample recreational and some commercial fishing operations by conducting angler creel interviews and accurately recording data into appropriate electronic forms.
  • Special studies:
    • Participate in special studies to collect catch or biological information for salmon, marine fish, or shellfish including halibut and shrimp.  

  WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Setting, including hazards:
    • Ninety percent (90%) of the time is spent in an office environment.
    • Approximately 10% of the time is spent doing field work. This may include working in adverse weather and sea conditions.
    • Exposure to noise, odors, biting and stinging insects.
    • Requires repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, squatting, walking, and boating to conduct angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, heavy lifting carrying sampling supplies (up to 40 lbs. unassisted), kneeling, working and standing in confined space, slippery surfaces.
    • Transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. 
    • Flying as a passenger in small aircraft over Puget Sound waters with turbulence and sudden turns.
    • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
    • Ability to fully and effectively complete assigned duties and tasks while at sea, especially during rough seas and inclement weather. 
  • Schedule:
    • Non-scheduled work hours typically between Monday – Friday; 40 hours per week; 8 hours per day.
    • Intermittently work weekends or evenings and overtime peak work times.
    • Incumbent is periodically on-call evenings or weekends to sample. 
  • Travel Requirements:
    • Puget Sound and vicinity with intermittent overnight travel during peak work times. 
  • Tools and Equipment:
    • Agency computers and software, iPads, phones (cell and desk), vehicles and boats. 
    • Hands tools and car repair equipment.
    • When in the field, Personal Flotation Devices, first aid kit, fillet knives, measuring boards, electronic sampling device Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detector, forceps, weighing scale, head lamp, tide book or app, canopy for shade, portable table, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard and scissors. 
    • Outboard motorboat operation including proper and safe fueling, boat trailer, GPS, compass, fishing tackle and gear including downriggers, computer, VHF radio, marine survival suit and electronic data collection devices and forms.
    • A government vehicle and gas credit card for fuel are a responsibility of this position. 
    • WDFW provided apparel, rubber boots, gloves, and rain gear and current recreational and commercial sampling manuals. 
  • Customer Interactions:
    1. This position interacts with WDFW staff including samplers, supervisors, biologists, natural resource scientists, lab technicians, Fish Program administrative staff and managers, and aircraft pilots. 
    2. Persons outside of WDFW include merchandise vendors, Tribal samplers, recreational anglers and shellfish harvesters, salmon buyers/processors, commercial salmon fishermen and the public.

   

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

 OR
 Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science, AND four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

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 units hours) or nine quarter units (hours) of natural or environmental science classes. 

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• First Aid and CPR training is required within 6 months of hire.
• Completion of both “basic flight” and “water ditching and survival” training before working aboard small aircraft.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all the following: 

• Data editing or QA/QC experience.
• Experience working with databases.
• Experience with tablets (e.g. iPads) and iForms electronic data collection program.
• Experience with SharePoint software platform.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software including Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook and Access.
• Able to identify all salmon species, crab and shrimp species, and common marine fish species in Puget Sound.
• Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
• Knowledge of WDFW purchasing, inventory, and other administrative processes.

Supplemental Information

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

 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 letter will not be accepted).
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

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

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

UNION – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to angela.rae@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at angela.rae@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

 Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.   Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.  

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

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