Title- European Green Crab Scientific Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

Number of Vacancies- Three (3)

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Management Division
 

Multiple locations in Western Washington – apply for one (1) or all the positions listed below by submitting one (1) application!

One (1) Position – Ferndale, Washington – Whatcom County

One (1) Position – Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

One (1) Position – Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Green crab trapping in Willapa Bay by WDFW staff and partners – Photo Credit: WDFW

If you enjoy hands-on fieldwork, collaborating with passionate biologists and partners, and making a real impact on Washington’s marine ecosystems, this could be the perfect role for you. 

As a journey-level technician, you’ll play a key part in managing the invasive European Green Crab (EGC), working both independently and as part of a team.

You’ll spend your days out in the field conducting early detection, assessment, and monitoring efforts in marine estuarine habitats. From setting traps and collecting water samples to recording and reviewing data, your work will directly support statewide management actions to protect native species and habitats.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles, the European Green Crab Scientific Technicians will,

Conduct European Green Crab (EGC) Management Actions:

• Conduct early detection sampling methods (such as trapping, eDNA, and larvae sampling) at sites not previously surveyed in nearshore environments following established protocols to detect EGC.
• Perform assessments to determine distribution and abundance of EGC.
• Conduct monitoring efforts at established sites using established protocols to gather information on EGC trends.
• Assemble field gear, safely navigate to remote locations, set traps at predetermined sites, and return the following day to sample for up to 5 days at a time.
• Record data using electronic field app and/or field datasheets and ensure data is accurately recorded and summarized.
• Protect native species by following Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Unit protocols to reduce bycatch, quickly and carefully release any incidental bycatch, and remove and humanely euthanize captured EGC and other AIS.
• Participate in regional rapid response actions where new EGC are detected following the lead biologists’ directives.
• Support co-managers, tribes, and partners (including Washington Sea Grant, Lummi Nation, Northwest Straits Commission, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Grower Association, and Conservation Districts) with assessment and control efforts.

Office Work:

• Enter weekly data into the project database via laptop, ensuring data is accurately recorded, summarized, and inputted.

Equipment Maintenance:

• Follow all AIS Unit decontamination protocols for watercrafts, gear, and equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 85% field work and 15% office work.
• Hike 2-3 miles per day while carrying gear such as a dry bag or frame pack weighing up to 50 pounds throughout Washington’s vast marine environments, including intertidal habitats like marshes, tidal channels, and mudflats.
• Work in varying weather conditions and terrain, including sticky mud, uneven ground, and remote locations (following strict check-in/check-out procedures).
• Potential hazards include stinging vegetation, insects, biting or pinching animals, and possible encounters with wildlife.
• Typically part of a team, with some independent work conducted at safe locations such as duty stations.
• May operate motorized (e.g., airboats, <26-foot aluminum boats, rigid inflatables) and non-motorized (e.g., kayaks, inflatables, canoes) watercrafts in coastal marine environments.
• Must be able to humanely euthanize invasive species.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Schedule:

This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements:

This position requires frequent statewide travel and may require overnight stays up to five (5) days at times.

Tools and Equipment:

Laptop, smart phone, Personal Floatation Device (PFD), Garmin In-Reach, and field gear (e.g., hip boots, Xtratufs, raingear, dry bag, frame pack). Complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices. 25-foot cargo trailer, watercraft, flatbed trailer, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered and hand-pushed pressure washers.

Customer Interactions:

Frequently interact with the public. Regularly coordinates with co-managers, tribes, and may work on tribal lands.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1:

• 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.

Option 2:

• 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 may 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.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of mandatory job-related training and/or certification—such as safety, equipment operation, fieldwork procedures, and/or emergency management—may be required as a condition of employment, depending on position responsibilities, supervisory direction, and training availability. 

Employees may also be required to participate in safety courses, committees, or groups, and complete recertification as needed to support the safety of the agency and its personnel.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

One (1) year or more of professional experience in/with: 

• Identifying European green crab.
• Identifying native crab species.
• Identifying species using a taxonomic key or field guide.
• Principles and procedures of aquatic invasive species management.
• Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).
• Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) products and other online mapping tools.
• Operating, towing, trailing, and/or working in and around boats and/or trailers up to 25 feet in length (e.g., cargo trailers, trailered decontamination units).

Certifications:

• CPR/First Aid/AED Certified.
• Wilderness First Aid Certified.
• Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Training (WID) Levels I/II.
• Washington State Boater Education Card or equivalent.
• Incident Command System Trainings.

Include the items below with your application materials:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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

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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

Request an accommodation: 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.

Technical Difficulties: 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. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-07944.

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