See full job and application details at governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3162453/science-technician-2-fish-program-non-permanent-07530-21

Anticipated Appointment Lengths: 5 Months 

August 17, 2021 – January 14, 2022

You love working outdoors providing important environmental work evaluating the life stages of salmonids and their responses to habitat restoration treatments.  

Duties

Completes activities related to salmonid parr surveys to obtain information on juvenile densities and growth.

Tasks Include:

• Following established procedures for data collection. 
• Capturing juvenile salmon and steelhead using beach seine, electroshocking, and other fisheries capture methods. 
• Safely handling and collecting biological data from target species. 
• PIT-tagging salmon and steelhead following guidelines in the PIT marking procedures manual.
• Conducting routine gear maintenance, modifications, and repairs as needed or directed by supervisor. 
• Communicating status of field operations to supervisor each day.

Completes activities related to salmon spawning ground surveys to monitor adult abundance, distribution, and diversity.

Tasks Include:

• Locating, identifying, and sampling live fish, redds, and carcasses according to study protocols. 
• Recording field data in electronic format (iPad) and verify data for accuracy. 
• Adhering to all spawner survey safety procedures. 

Completes activities related to downstream migrant trapping to monitor juvenile abundance, distribution, and diversity.

Tasks Include:

• Operating and maintaining 5-ft rotary screw traps, ensuring the trap is in good working order.
• Maintaining trap integrity during high flow and heavy debris events and making repairs as needed. 
• Safely handling and collecting biological data from target species.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards: 
  1. Most of the work is conducted outdoors, during all-weather conditions, in adverse environmental conditions and includes accessing sampling sites by foot or vehicle which can be difficult and requires driving on narrow logging roads and undeveloped road networks.
  2. Field work includes standing, bending, and kneeling for long periods of time and walking up to (5) five miles per day up on rough terrain/wet slippery surfaces while carrying 40-pound buckets for distances up to 200 yards. 
  3. Field work also includes potential exposure of hand and fingers to cold water (40-50 degrees Fahrenheit), insect bites/stings, thorny and spiny vegetation, pollen, as well as unpredictable interactions with wildlife, domestic animals, and private landowners. 
  4. Snorkeling occurs in low velocity stream environments (depth is typically less than 3 feet). 
• Schedule: 
  1. Work hours are non-scheduled – the employee will typically work 40 hours/week. 
  2. Work in excess of 40 hours/week will be required, including weekends and holidays, during periods of high stream flows or fish migrations. 
  3. Flexible work schedules are required to address changing field conditions related to weather, stream flow, and fish numbers.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. Daily travel to and from work sites.
  2. Infrequent travel to Regional Offices and WDFW headquarters in Olympia, Washington.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Tools and Equipment used include, but not limited to: rotary screw traps, tablets, PIT technology equipment, seine nets, electroshockers, fish measuring boards, scales (for weight measurement), knives, scalpels, scissors, rakes, shovels, crow bars, sledgehammers, chain saws, and drills. 
• Customer Interactions: 
  1. This position interacts with staff from WA Department of Ecology, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, private timber companies, WDFW Region 5, as well as private landowners. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND

OR 

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 semester hours or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Knowledge of:

• Salmon and trout life histories and behavioral characteristics.
• Live fish handling techniques that ensure the safety of fish and personnel.
• Applying PIT tags to juvenile and adult fish and to use hand-held PIT detection equipment.

Experience with: 

• Conducting spawning ground surveys.
• Using a variety of hand tools, power tools and small engine machinery. 

Ability to: 

• Identify juvenile and adult life stages of salmon and steelhead as well as other fish species encountered.
• Collect high quality biological data and complete data entry in both written and electronic formats.
• Navigate on logging roads and off-trail using GPS and maps.
• Follow instructions and communicate outcomes to the supervisor.

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 Cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letters will not be accepted).
• Current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

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

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect. (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.

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line should 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. 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, 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 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.

*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks).