FULL-TIME-NON-PERMANENT

3.5-month – Scientific Technician 2 *01958-21

Fish Program – Region 5 Fish Science – ECL Unit

175 First Street

Stevenson, WA 98648

Anticipated start date is April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021. 

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!

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

This position reports to the lead technician on the Wind River, under the Lower Columbia Lead Salmon and Steelhead Scientist, and is responsible for collection and database entry of field data used in the juvenile and adult steelhead monitoring program on the Wind River (BPA project # 199801900 Wind River Watershed Assessment).   Primary duties include maintenance, installation and operation of rotary screw traps, operation of an adult fishway trap, handling, biological data collection and tagging of adult and juvenile steelhead, spawning ground surveys, snorkel surveys, and database entry.

This position monitors the health and diversity of fish populations in the Wind River and provides information needed to develop sustainable recreational opportunities.  Field data collected by this position allows the supervisor, lead scientist, and unit leader to meet agency goals identified in the Strategic Plan.  One of the primary objectives of the Wind River steelhead monitoring program is to assess the population response to the removal of Hemlock Dam.

Collect mark-recapture data used to develop abundance estimates of juvenile steelhead via screw traps.

Tasks include: 

• Deploy internal (PIT) tags on juvenile steelhead
• Examine live specimens and collect biological data (scales, lengths).
• Use of rigging (cable, clamps) and tools, winches, ropes, and occasionally inflatable boats to place and secure traps in deep, swift water
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (dry suits, PFDs, waders), boats and rope systems to access floating screw traps.

Collect data used in mark-resight population estimators for adult steelhead. 

Tasks include: 

• Operate and maintain Shipherd Falls adult ladder trap
• Examine live specimens for existing visual and internal ID marks using visual inspection and electronic scanning equipment
• Deploy internal and external ID tags on adult and juvenile steelhead
• Collect scales, biological and morphological data from live specimens.
• Conduct adult steelhead mark-resight surveys via walking and snorkeling

Juvenile steelhead (screw trap) database entry in Microsoft Access

Tasks include: 

• Maintain, backup, download, and edit data from ruggedized tablets used to collect screw trap data
• QA/QC juvenile data from screw traps in Microsoft Access

 Adult steelhead (ladder trap) database entry

Tasks include:   

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Working setting

• 85% outdoors, 15% office/indoors.
• Outdoor tasks include working in and around deep, swift flowing, cold streams and trap systems consisting of heavy rigging and moving parts.
• Weather conditions during this appointment can range from heavy rain/snow to moderate heat.
• Heavy loads and long walks over uneven, slippery and difficult terrain are the norm.
• A level of comfort and experience working in and around rivers is a must.
• Experience or comfort level wading in streams and swimming in water deeper than 5’ is required.

Schedule: 

• This position will work a five-day, 40-hour week including both weekend days.
• Work hours will be from 8:00am to 5:00pm.   Infrequent, unscheduled trap checks at night are occasionally dictated by fish quantities or high stream flows which can threaten the traps.

Travel Requirements: 

Tools and Equipment: 

• Most field work is accomplished wearing agency provided chest waders, dry suits or wet suits, PFDs, and frequently rain gear.
• Use of basic automotive hand tools, ropes, cabling, winches, etc occurs frequently.
• Specialty equipment is regularly used for capture of fish (traps, seins) anesthesia, tagging, electronic scanning, and storing data.

Customer Interactions:

License:

• Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

OR

• Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

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.
 
Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Physical and mental ability to safely access remote streams in canyon settings, often in adverse (wet/cold or hot) conditions, and conduct surveys up to five miles in length in a safe and timely manner, are a requirement.
• Comfort level and ability to operate inflatable boats on a flowing river is preferable.
• Training/certification for these required tasks will be provided by WDFW as needed.
• Previous experience or proficiency with installation and operation of rotary screw traps and adult salmonid traps and seines, experience with live handling, PIT tagging, and biological data collection on adult and juvenile steelhead or salmon are preferable.
• Previous experience/proficiency with PTagis Microsoft Access and Excel data entry is preferable.
• Candidates must be capable of accomplishing the above duties and tasks while maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and adhering to WDFW workplace safety policies.

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:
 

• 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. 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:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

• 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 critical functions directly related to the survival of ESA listed species. OR functions that are legally required or treaty obligated for ESA species.

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.