FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT
CREEL SURVEY TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Fish Program – Fish Management
Auburn, Washington – King County

Anticipated Appointment Length: 4 Months
August 14, 2024 through December 6, 2024

The salary listed above includes the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for 5% premium pay for positions located in King County.

We are looking for a Creel Survey Technician to provide technical support to the Salmon Managers within WDFW’s Region 4 Office.

Conduct creel surveys of recreational anglers fishing for salmon in the Duwamish/Green River to collect information necessary to estimate catch and effort statistics for recreational fisheries management.

In this role, you will record, review, and present the data you gather to help determine recreational fishing impacts on salmon.

With that in mind, 

This is an opportunity to gather information from recreational anglers to determine impacts on Chinook, pink, and coho salmon in the Green River Basin.

With your experience, you will accurately record creel survey data and create charts and graphs to visually convey your findings.

We are seeking a candidate, who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Duties:

As our Creel Survey Technician, you will, 

Conduct angler creel surveys for Chinook, pink, and coho salmon in the Green River Basin: 

• Visually examine fish to identify them and obtain information from anglers fishing for Chinook, pink, and coho salmon including angling duration, species targeted, caught, and released.
• Explain survey project, procedures, and objectives to sport fishers to enlist their cooperation in providing quality data for the study.
• Walk, bike, and drive long distances daily along the river, often climbing down difficult slopes to reach the riverbank where anglers are fishing.
• Row a pontoon boat in the river to access and count anglers.

Keep accurate records of survey data and summarize results in both a PowerPoint and report:

• Accurately record and compile creel survey data.
• Enter data into Excel daily, compile charts, draw graphs, and prepare illustrations to convey the data.
• Create a PowerPoint presentation of the results and provide a summary report for the creels.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Working alone for long hours in physically demanding conditions and sometimes in adverse weather conditions.
  • Climbing down steep banks, walking, biking, and driving long distances to reach anglers.
  • Work may include rowing a pontoon boat in the river and encountering bees (yellow jackets) and slippery surfaces.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  
  • 40 hours per week, Wednesday – Saturday.
  • Surveys will be conducted both in the morning (e.g., 6:00 a.m. start) and evening (e.g., 4:00 p.m. start).
• Travel Requirements:
  • Local travel to field sites is required daily.
  • An agency vehicle will be provided for surveys.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Bicycle, iPad, pontoon boat or raft, personal floatation device (PFD).
• Customer Interactions:
  • An agency vehicle will be provided for surveys.
  • Extensive contact with recreational anglers on the river and boaters at boat ramps.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) 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 (1) year of high school science AND two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a 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 (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.
• Closely related qualifying professional or volunteer experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

Experience:

• Identifying Pacific salmon.
• Interviewing members of the public.
• Angling for trout or salmon and interacting with other anglers.
• Collecting data in the field and recording data accurately.
• Rafting, kayaking, or similar activity on the water.
• Using Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Ability to:

• Effectively and correctly identify, collect, organize, and document survey field data.
• Consistently document information and update records/databases.
• Work independently with very little oversight.

Working knowledge of:

• Salmon life history.

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).
• A current resume. 
• 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: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types. 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.

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 danielle.gustafson@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 danielle.gustafson@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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