For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3373759/scientific-technician-2-fish-program-seven-7-openings-non-permanent-00

Salary- $2,864.00 – $3,701.00 Monthly

Our Scientific Technicians, 

  • Conduct gill net surveys associated with suppression activities of invasive fish species.
  • Collect and record biological data on fish including species identification, total length, fork length, weight, sex, and maturity.
  • Collect biological samples including ageing structures, genetic tissue and diet samples.
  • Check fish for existing tags/marks and uses a variety of techniques to mark fish.
  • Euthanize non-native species to support suppression activities.
  • Record effort and catch data.
  • Occasionally transport and operate research vessels of varying size during field surveys.
  • Maintain and repair fish sampling equipment including but not limited to gill nets, dip nets, anchors, ropes, electronic balances, PIT tag readers, and GPS units.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Setting, including hazards:    
    1. Work is primarily conducted in field and warehouse settings and involves many hours of vehicle travel.
    2. Field work is conducted during inclement weather (including extreme heat, extreme cold, rain, snow, ice, and working in cold water for long periods of time).
    3. Duties are performed on a boat for long hours on large bodies of water – boat conditions include slippery, wet, uneven surfaces and wavy conditions – repetitive heavy lifting associated with setting and pulling gill nets (up to 50 lbs.).
    4. Repetitive lifting and carrying equipment weighing 75 pounds or more for short distances.
    5. Occasionally, work may be conducted in an office setting and will require many hours working on a computer and looking at a monitor for long hours while entering data and checking data sets for quality assurance.
  • Schedule:   
    1. Typically, work schedule is 40 hours/week, Monday – Friday (extensive overtime is likely) – may require working more than 8 hours per day on a boat in a team setting.
    2. Work is conducted primarily during the day but may extend into the evening on occasion.
  • Travel Requirements: 
  1. Extensive travel times within the workday.
  • Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Boats, manual hand tools, electronic balances, handheld PIT tag readers, handheld GPS, net repair tools, fish picks, knives.
  2. Personal protective equipment, including, PFDs, rain gear, waders, boots, gloves, ear protection, and eye protection.
  • Customer Interactions:
  1. May interact with the public at boat ramps and on the water.

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.

           OR

  • 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 or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

          AND

Certifications/Licenses:

  • Valid Driver’s License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Experience with:

  • Conducting gill net surveys.
  • Identifying of eastern Washington fish species.
  • Setting and pulling gill nets.
  • Conducting suppression activities including handling large numbers of fish in various states of disposition and euthanizing invasive fish species.

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.