Description

Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County
Anticipated Appointment Length: Four (4) Months
 February 1, 2023 – May 31, 2023 

Support Native Fish Recovery by implementing monitoring programs for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed summer chum salmon – focusing on monitoring programs for juvenile life stages! 

Operate traps, conduct biological sampling, and enter and summarize data that is used for stock assessment, recovery planning, and research relating particularly to ESA listed species.                           

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself assessing the ongoing integrity of data collection using the inclined plane floating trap on the Salmon Creek summer chum outmigration project.

This is an opportunity to perform daily inspections for safe trap operation, including adjusting anchor cables with hand tools and maintaining the boardwalk and deck.

With your experience, you will be maintaining daily datasheets recording numbers of fish, species, and stained recaptures.

We are seeking candidates that respect and value the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.                   

Duties
Our Salmon Creek Juvenile Trap Technician,  

Juvenile trap operation for Salmon Creek outmigrant fry trap:

• Raising the inclined plane each hour and removing chum fry from the trap.

• Transporting the fry in four-gallon buckets to the processing station.

• Sorting and counting the fry then releasing them safely downstream.

• Staining 100 juvenile summer chum each night and releasing the stained fish from the previous night upstream of the trap to assess trapping efficiency.

• Assess and respond to weather and stream flow conditions.

Data recording and reporting for the Salmon Creek trap:

• Maintaining daily datasheets recording the number of fish, species, and stained recaptures.

• Calculate and record nightly trapping efficiency which is used to make subsequent adjustments to the inclined plane.

• Reporting numbers to the project field lead each day and maintaining the trap log for the other technician.

Providing support for the Snow Creek weir in April and May:

• Assisting in the replacement of adult screens (4ft x 5ft aluminum panels) on the weir with smolt screens.

• Occasional trap checks of the upstream box. Visual inspection of the trap box for adult steelhead and notifying field lead of live adult steelhead in the trap.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:

  • The Salmon Creek trap site is located at the WDFW Discovery Bay Wildlife Area – the site is somewhat remote and will require working alone. Fieldwork will include hours of darkness in inclement weather which can result in wet, cold, icy conditions, and negotiating water in emergency situations. 

  • A mobile trailer is stationed at the worksite with electricity, bottled water, Sani-can, and heat, outside the trailer, an awning covers the tables where fish are sorted, counted, and stained – the trap floats on two pontoons next to the trailer.  Outside lighting and headlamps are provided.  

  • Though the creek is small, water levels do fluctuate and can be swift during high flows – there are handrails and no-slip surfaces, but footing can still be slippery.  Most trapping occurs during hours of darkness.  

• Schedule:

  • Hours worked will be 12-hour shifts consisting of 4 nights on and 4 nights off – the schedule is contingent on fish migration patterns, weather, and stream flow. 

  • 12-hour shifts in the early season, decreasing to 11-hour shifts as daylight time increases later in the spring.  

  • Schedule floats, advancing a day each week due to the four-on (4), four-off (4), such that weekends and holidays may coincide with the shifting schedule.

• Travel Requirements:

  • Less than a mile occasionally to the Snow Creek weir on the other side of the Wildlife Area.

• Tools and Equipment:

  • Personal Floatation Device (PFD), waders, headlamps, boots, rain gear, and various hand tools for installation and maintenance of traps. 

• Customer Interactions:

  • Volunteers and occasional interaction with the local public.

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. 

AND 

• Experience handling, identifying, and sampling juvenile salmonids.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with installing and maintaining temporary and permanent fish weirs and traps.   

• Ability to collect, record, and compile data.

• Ability to work independently and as a leader within a team. 

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.  You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials – your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor before you will be allowed to work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

Supplemental Information
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

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 current resume. 

• Three professional references

Apply here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3842170/salmon-creek-juvenile-trap-technician-scientific-technician-2-two-non-permane

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: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

• The subject line should include the 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.  

• The subject line should include the 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

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, and are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, the 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 may call (360) 902-2276 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.

Apply here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3842170/salmon-creek-juvenile-trap-technician-scientific-technician-2-two-non-permane