This recruitment is essential to maintain operations and fulfill WDFW’s legal obligations: Functions directly related to survival of ESA listed species. Or functions that are legally required or treaty obligated for ESA species.

WDFW staff comprise a talented and passionate group of people dedicated to protecting Washington’s Natural Resources.  

Our employees serve the public with integrity, we hold ourselves accountable to both the quality of our work, and the way in which we perform it.

Do you want to become part of a dynamic team that is invested in making a difference in the conservation of Washington State’s salmon and freshwater species?  Do you thrive on building collaboration and teamwork while getting your boots dirty working in the field?

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you then apply today and join the WDFW Team!  

These are opportunities to trap, identify, mark, enumerate and sample juvenile salmonids.

With your experience, you will operate and maintain trapping gear, assist at the trap sites, and compile/organize biological samples. 

The optimal candidates take pride in their work, are motivated, dependable and hard working. 

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

The ideal candidates will share our values of trust, respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is eager to work hard and have fun in an environment where there’s never a dull moment.

Depending on duty station, some of the position’s duties and working conditions may vary. 

Our Scientific Technician 2’s 

• Assist with the installation/removal, maintenance, and operation of downstream-migrant traps on the rivers and tributaries as needed.
• Organize supplies and equipment associated with deployment of traps.
• Work as part of a crew in this complex operation to monitor juvenile salmonid populations over a range of flows and variable out-migrant timing patterns.
• Operate rotary screw traps continuously on the Rivers when conditions permit.
• Identify juvenile salmonids to species and enumerate by age, origin, mark type and species.
• Externally mark a portion of the catch for release above the trapping location to estimate trapping efficiency.
• Collect biological data and samples from a portion of the catch of each species (length and scales samples).
• Record and verify field data for accuracy – enter data into computer spreadsheets and databases.
• Provide weekly summaries to project lead biologists via phone, internet or in person.
• Install maintain and repair all the equipment associated with the Wild Salmon Production and Evaluation Unit trapping projects.
• Operate, maintain and review SONAR imagery data to enumerate adult fish on the Dungeness.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards: 
  1. Field work positions, most of the work will be conducted in the field.
  2. Potentially dangerous conditions may exist including performing work near high/swift waters, on slippery surfaces and in adverse weather conditions.
  3. Trapping activities may involve exposure to inclement weather, insect bites/stings, thorny/spiny vegetation, and pollen.
  4. Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, climbing and heavy lifting (50 – 100 lbs.).
• Schedule: 
  1. Variable schedule, typically 40 hours per week.
  2. Work is schedule is variable depending on trap location, fish migration, environmental conditions and seasonal demands.
  3. When traps are fishing, they will operate 7 days a week throughout the season, requiring work on the weekends and holidays.
  4. Must be able to work a non-scheduled work week, nights and occasional long irregular hours.
• Travel Requirements:   
  1. Minimal overnight travel may be required. 
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Trucks, rafts, drift boats, GPS, maps, radios, electronic sampling equipment, weighing scales, cell phones, calculators and computers.
  2. Outboard motors, power boats, generators and pumps.
  3. Hand tools – cleaning rakes, shovels, water buckets, crowbars, sledgehammers, etc.
  4. Power tools – chain saws, drills, etc.
  5. Pit Tag readers and fish collection gear including nets, seines, weirs, and screw traps.
• Customer Interactions:         
  1. Tribal Members, City/County employees, NOAA staff, the public, biologists and private landowners.

Depending on duty station, some of the position’s qualifications may vary. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A High School Diploma/GED, including one year of high school science.

AND 

• Two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1 or higher-level technician.

          OR 

• Two (2) 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).

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Must obtain a CPR Certification within the first season.
• Must obtain Boat Safety or Motorboat Operator Certification within the first season for all positions/locations besides the Green River Trap.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Knowledge of salmon and trout life histories and behavioral characteristics.
• Knowledge of safe live fish handling techniques.
• Ability to identify juvenile and adult salmonids, lampreys and other incidental catch.
• Experience identifying and monitoring salmonids, and lamprey spawning activity by species.
• Experience operating a juvenile salmon screw trap preferably in large rivers.
• Stream survey experience.
• Ability to collect high quality biological data and complete data entry/summarization into program spreadsheets and databases.
• Ability to safely operate a variety of hand tools, power tools and small engine machinery.
• Experience working on boats and using a jet powered skiff.
• Experience working on rivers.
• Boat Safety or Motorboat Operator Certification.
• CPR Certification.
• Basic computer data entry skills with experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

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. 

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.

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

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.