Salary: $2,957.00 – $3,915.00 Monthly
Location: Yakima County – Yakima, WA
Job Type: Seasonal
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job Number: 2023-05273
Closing: 5/1/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

HABITAT PROGRAM
Water Monitoring Program
 Yakima, Washington – Yakima County
 Anticipated Appointment Length: 6 Months
May 1 – November 1

Support and aid with the statewide trust water monitoring program and stream flow augmentation efforts to assess the biological and ecological benefits of instream flow restoration for anadromous and resident fish populations. The information collected for the monitoring efforts are vital to assessments for pre-approval, review, and effectiveness of various stream flow enhancement projects and transactions.  

Duties
Our Scientific Technician 2 will,

• Monitor stream flow and collect water chemistry data related to stream flow augmentation projects.
• Install, monitor, and operate staff gages and pressure transducers.
• Assist Water Team staff conduct habitat to flow relationship studies such as a Physical HABitat SIMulation (PHABSIM) model.
• Conduct field habitat measurements in streams throughout the state.
• Assist with other data collection activities as needed, such as electrofishing and snorkel surveys, and enter data into databases.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:   
  1. Conduct approximately 95% of work outside in potentially inclement weather at times. Hazards include but are not limited to; normal hazards associated with operating a motor vehicle on developed and undeveloped roads. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 
  2. Work will be conducted in rain, wind, hot and cold weather conditions, with exposure to possible insect bites and stings. 
  3. Remoteness of work sites requires the person to be in good physical condition with the ability to walk several miles daily on uneven terrain.
  4. Frequent wading on slippery surfaces in rivers and streams is required, potentially during high flows.
  5. Must be able to negotiate various water depths and high velocities in emergency situations.
  6. Carry 40+ lbs. over uneven terrain with frequent bending, stooping, and climbing over rocks and slopes.
  7. Use or learn software such as Microsoft Office programs, Word, and Excel.
  8. Must endure a flexible work schedule dictated by weather conditions. 
  9. A small portion of time will be spent in office conditions and the incumbent must be able to remain focused and courteous in a busy office environment. Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.
  10. Selected candidate will receive training for safety, agency policies and procedures, survey protocols, and species identification.
• Schedule:   
  1. Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs. 
  2. A flexible work schedule will be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. Daily in state vehicle to job sites. Must be willing and able to travel overnight for extended periods of time; including, but not limited to camping in remote wilderness areas.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Desktop computers, GIS, GPS, cameras, inflatable boats, iPad’s, portable flow meters, and water chemistry equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Frequent contact (likely daily) with clients, including some contact with those who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated. Public interaction occasionally while conducting fieldwork. Ability to take interest in and understand others’ perspectives; easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas; demonstrate appropriate assertiveness; and be committed to the service of the public, mission, and team.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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 or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Licenses: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both as part of a team and on their own, physically helping others perform tasks in the field.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Attention to detail in collecting and compiling information into reports and forms.
• Interprets, understands, and accurately follows work procedures.
• Proficiency in the use of Arc GIS, Excel, Access, and Word is a plus. Ability to create maps in GIS to display information collected in the field.
• Knowledge of freshwater habitat requirements for anadromous and resident fish and their associated life histories.
• Ability to review and assess conditions which inhibit natural salmonid production.
• Carefully and accurately observes and records the condition and quality of aquatic habitat.
• Ability to identify juvenile and adult salmonids and other native and non-native fish species.

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.

To Apply
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. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4005287/scientific-technician-2-water-monitoring-program-seasonal-05273-23