Do you want to contribute to the agency mission by providing maximum recreational fishing opportunities while ensuring the long-term conservation of salmon, steelhead, and inland fisheries resources?  Do you want to make a positive impact to the recovery of federal ESA listed anadromous stocks?   If so, then join a great team that shares your interests!

Duties

WDFW staff comprise a talented and passionate group of people dedicated to protecting Washington’s natural resources while providing sustainable recreational opportunities for all.

The position collects and summarizes recreational salmon, halibut, lingcod, marine fish, and shellfish catch and biological data to meet fisheries sampling goals.  The employee obtains stock composition (CWT and DNA), age structure (scales), length information for legal & sublegal proportions, and hatchery/natural-origin proportions (adipose fin clipped/un-clipped status). The sampling goals for these fisheries are set by biometricians.  Tribal and WDFW biologists use these data to determine the status of the resource and to manage fisheries resources. Proper implementation of this region’s fisheries sampling program provides the information necessary to estimate fisheries catch and effort for recreational fisheries management, assessment of biological information by stock, and subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and agreed-to catch allocations

Samples recreational fisheries for halibut, salmon. Marine fish and shellfish catch to determine catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and marine fish.   Collects salmon snouts for coded-wire-tags (CWT), as well as other biological data.

Tasks include:

• Conducts angler creel interviews, provides feedback about sampling protocols, and accurately records data into iPad application and on scales card paper form.
• Observes, count, and accurately identifies all salmon and all salmon and marine fish species.
• Samples all Chinook and Coho salmon with electronic CWT detection devices.
• Classifies, sorts, and enumerates marked (adipose fin-clipped) and unmarked salmon by CWT status.
• Uses a knife to remove snouts from Chinook and Coho salmon with CWT’s, which are used to assess stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Samples salmon catch to obtain stock composition (DNA taken with scissors), age structure (scales taken with forceps), legal and sub-legal proportions (length taken by measuring device), and hatchery and natural-origin proportions (mark-status).
• Also samples some marine fish species for length and/or weight, as well as lingcod for spines, DNA, and any other biological tissues as requested for marine fish.
• Distributes Salmon Trip Report (STR) forms and collects competed forms.

Data review, public relations, maintenance duties, other duties as assigned.

Tasks include:

• Conducts error checks of sampling data.
• Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
• Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.
• Provides written reports on violations and may be called to give testimony to give testimony informally or in court.
• May be responsible for operation and maintenance of an agency vehicle.
• Responsible for maintaining sampling equipment in good working order.
• Completes “Total Time” to submit timesheets and submit travel and purchasing information when needed.
• Completes state and agency required trainings and attends staff meeting.
• Other Tasks as needed

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:   
• Work primarily in the field.
• Adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, rain gear, equipment holsters, personal flotation device (PFD), agency identifying clothing, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.

Schedule: 

Travel Requirements: 

Tools and Equipment: 

• The following items are needed for sampling duties: iPad, cell phone, electronic sampling equipment (CWT detector), weighing scale, calculator, knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, tide book, canopy for shade, portable table, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard and scissors.
• This position is provided a Personnel Flotation Device (PFD).
• The following clothing is provided: WDFW apparel, rubber boots, gloves, and rain gear.
• Copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.

Customer Interactions:

• Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial anglers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers, and shell fishers.
• Interact with the public during data collection and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities.
• Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public. Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated.
• Provided a high level of customer service to anglers and the general public.
• Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

License: 

• A valid unrestricted driver’s license.
• May require use of personal -owned vehicle with mileage reimbursement

Qualifications

OR

Note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural science, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semesters or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

PREFERRED WORK EXPERIENCE: 

• Fisheries sampling experience.
• Experience accurately recording information
• Experience working with members of the public.
• Experience identifying fish

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 letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: 

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.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; 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.

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:

• 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.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and 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.

 This recruitment is essential staff necessary to prosecute fisheries, hunting opportunities.

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

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.