Sampling Chinook – Credit: WDFW

DUTIES: 

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the duties that are required. Typical work may include one or more of the following:

• Capture, identify, enumerate (count), handle, and tag/mark salmonids (juveniles and adults) for mark/recapture programs and distribution monitoring.
• Interview sport anglers and record catch by species, effort, and biological data. Includes collecting biological samples from fish such as salmon, trout, and sturgeon.
• Conduct snorkel surveys in streams and rivers.
• Monitor and observe commercial fisheries and research test fisheries.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, operation and removal of monitoring structures and devices (such as weirs) for adult salmonid monitoring.
• Use a computer at the regional office or in the field to enter data into established spreadsheets and/or databases (such as a trap, weirs, and survey databases and carcass tagging spreadsheets). 
• Enter data into dataloggers and personal digital assistants (PDA).
• Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries. Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds and using GPS devices to mark redd locations.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, operation and removal of a temporary resistance board salmon weir and fish trap on the South Fork Toutle and Coweeman Rivers.
• Collect broodstock for established enhancement and hatchery programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the working conditions that are required. Typical working conditions may include:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • 85% fieldwork – will work in inclement weather conditions with the possibility of daytime highs greater than 100°F, daytime lows less than 30°F, with wind speeds greater than 25 mph. Duties are often conducted on wet slippery surfaces.
  • Assist with spawning ground surveys by either foot or cataraft during white water conditions/rapids (Class 1-3). Includes walking over rough terrain in varying environmental conditions. 
  • Walk up to six (6) miles per day over rough terrain under adverse weather conditions.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 
  • Some positions may require snorkeling in cold, fast flowing/whitewater conditions.
  • Rarely lift, either with or without assistance, large, live and dead fish, typically up to 30 pounds and rarely over 100 pounds. Repetitively carry loads up to 70 pounds for short distances over rough terrain. 
  • Must be willing to sample spawned out salmon carcasses that can contain very strong odors.
  • 15% office setting – operating a computer and performing various other tasks as assigned. 
• Schedule:
  • 24/7, non-scheduled. May work early/late hours, weekends, and holidays as needed.   
• Travel Requirements:
  • Most of the duties are conducted in the field away from the duty station. 
  • Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required with either a departmental issued vehicle or personal vehicle.
  • Overnight travel may be required as part of the job.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Basic hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys, blocks, motorized and non-motorized watercraft, 4×4 vehicles, 200’ beach seines, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, coded wire tag (CWT) detectors, iPads, weighing scales, knives, handheld data loggers and computers.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interact with other departmental personnel, personnel from other agencies, commercial fishers and the public.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND 

Certifications/Licenses: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Positions filled through this pool will vary in the Preferred Qualifications and Special Requirements – typical qualifications may include:

Ability to: 

• Use a personal computer and advanced functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Operate handheld GPS and data logger devices.
• Identify salmonids and other fish species in larval, juvenile and/or adult life stages.
• Identify salmonid redds.
• Obtain a crane operator certification.

Knowledge of: 

• Operating coded wire tag (CWT) and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detectors.
• Basic operations of motorized vessels
• Resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs. 
• Operating of rotary screw and fence-panel (with live box) juvenile traps.
• Fish marking and tagging protocols.
• Fishery monitoring, observing and sampling.
• Commercial fishing gear types and methods.
• Basic skills in aluminum and steel welding, bending and cutting, and carpentry skills.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• First Aid and CPR certification must have or be able to obtain within one (1) month of hire
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire and?renewal expected annually.

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 agencyand the perksof 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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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