For more information, please follow this link: https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-scientific-technician-2—creel-sampler—career-seasonal—12276-22-sekiu-washington/7077495219?utm_source=ongage&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=regular%20

Salary– $2,957.00 – $3,821.00 Monthly

Duties

Our Creel Sampler,

  • Samples recreational fisheries for halibut, salmon, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine catch per unit of effort and species composition in order to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and marine fish.
  • Collects salmon snouts for coded-wire tags (CWT), as well as other biological data.
  • Conducts angler creel interviews, provides feedback about sampling protocols, and accurately records data into iPad application and on scale card paper forms.
  • Observes, counts, and accurately identifies all salmon, other marine fish, and shellfish species.
  • Samples all Chinook and Coho salmon with electronic CWT detection devices.
  • Uses a knife to remove snouts from Chinook and Coho salmon with CWTs, which are used to assess stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
  • Classifies, sorts, and enumerates marked (adipose fin-clipped) and unmarked salmon by CWT status.
  • 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).
  • Samples halibut and some other marine fish species for length and/or weight, as well as lingcod spines for DNA, and any other biological tissues as requested for marine fish.
  • May be asked to sample commercial fisheries on an as needed basis.
  • Distributes voluntary Salmon Trip Report (STR) forms to the public and collects completed forms.
  • Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

  • 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:

  • Typically, 8 to 10 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.  24/7 non-scheduled, 40 hours per week.
  • Weekend and evening work required.

Travel Requirements:

Puget Sound area with seldom overnight travel.

Tools and Equipment:

  • 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.
  • This position is provided a PFD.
  • The following clothing is supplied: WDFW apparel, rubber boots, gloves, and rain gear.
  • Copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.
  • Will be required to use Microsoft Teams.

Customer Interactions:

  • Co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial anglers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers, interact with the public during data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities.
  • Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
  • Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated.
  • Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the general public.
  • Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

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 science classes.

  • Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

Or

  • Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

License:

  • Valid driver’s license.

Training:

  • First Aid/CPR Certification within 6 months of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • At least 12 months experience creel sampling 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, sport fishing regulations, and commercial fishing regulations.
  • Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
  • Proper fish handling technique.
  • Experience with Microsoft (MS) Word, MS Excel, and MS Windows.
  • First Aid/CPR Certification.