FULL-TIME-NON-PERMANENT

(2) 4.75-month – Scientific Technician 3 *02991-21

Fish Program – Puget Sound Sampling Unit

170 W Dayton St., Suite 103-B

Edmonds, WA 98020

Anticipated start date is May 25, 2021 through October 07, 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.

These positions functions as a fisheries sampler and test fisher, performing advanced technical scientific duties, independently executing established and new sampling protocols and procedures in the sampling of Puget Sounds fisheries in Central Sound. Proper implementation of this region’s fisheries sampling program provides the information necessary to estimate catch and efforts statistics for commercial and recreational fisheries management, the assessment of biological information by stock, and the subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and court-mandated catch allocations.  The responsibilities of these positions include advanced technical scientific duties and are performed under very limited supervision.

Conduct test fishing and angler effort surveys in multiple marine areas of Puget Sound including but not limited to CRC areas 9, 10, and 11 during mark-selective fisheries.

Task include:

Pilot WDFW research vessels to conduct test fishing.

• Use a variety of methods (e.g. weight and bait, downrigger, jigging, diver) to emulate the recreational fishing fleet.
• Operate 18 foot outboard fishing boat, including trailering, launching, and docking in all types of weather conditions.
• Perform minor routine, maintenance on the boat, motor, trailer, and test fishing equipment.
• Operate GPS, depth finder, AIS, VHF, and electronic data collection devices.
• Ensure safety of self and other samplers while at sea.
• Follow all rules, safety procedures, and agency policies on operation of vessels at sea.
• Sample catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal & sublegal proportions) and hatchery/natural-origin fractions (mark-status proportions).
• Assess overall health rating to each fish prior to release to aid on our attempts to look at survival of released fish.
• Summarize the amount of time spent on fishing each method.
• Record data using electronic data forms.
• Ensure data is accurately recorded, summarized and uploaded to headquarters’ database and regional supervisor.

Pilot WDFW research vessels to conduct angler efforts surveys.

• Intercept recreational and charter fishing vessels at sea (stationary and trolling) to conduct angler effort interviews.
• Operate outboard 18 foot boat, including trailering, coming alongside other boats in motion, launching and docking, in all weather conditions.
• Record returning ramp location, number of anglers, and target species for each boat intercepted.
• Perform minor routine maintenance on the boat, motor, trailer, and test fishing equipment.
• Operate GPS, depth finder, VHF, electronic data collection device.
• Ensure safety of self and other samplers while at sea.
• Follow all rules, safety procedures, and agency policies on operation of vessels at sea.

Sample recreational fisheries for salmon, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and other marine fish.

Task include:

• Sampling for coded-wire tags and biological data
• Interview as many recreational anglers as possible at assigned boat launch facilities in the central Puget Sound area.
• Properly implement interview procedures and sampling protocols, and accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms.
• Observe, count, and accurately identify salmon and marine fish species.
• Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand or T-wand detectors)
• Classify, sort and enumerate marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, marked untagged, and unmarked specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Sample recreational salmon catch for biological data including DNA, age(scales), and sex ratios.

Participate in studies                                                                                 

Tasks include:

• Follow all Covid-19 and other safety protocols while preforming all duties.
• Collects additional catch or biological information for salmon, marine fish, or shellfish.
• Participates boat-based effort surveys for selective fisheries.
• Samples high effort recreational fisheries and Terminal Area Fisheries (TAF) to provide data for in-search catch and effort estimates.
• These studies are intensive and require additional people at the sampling sites and on the water.

Other duties as assigned

Tasks include:

• May include reviewing data, maintaining equipment, and other tasks as needed.
• 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.
• May be responsible for operation and maintenance of an agency vehicle.
• Maintains sampling equipment.
• Completes “Total Time” to submit timesheets and submits travel and purchasing information when needed.   Completes state and agency required trainings and attend staff meetings.
• Completes other tasks as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work Setting, including hazards:   

• Work is done both inside and outside, during adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating, climbing in and out of boats, carrying, kneeling, lifting (40lbs max).
• Working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, rain gear, equipment holsters, personal flotation device (PFD), biting and stinging insects, and use of knives.

Schedule: 

Travel Requirements: 

 Tools and Equipment: 

• Outboard motor boat operation including proper and safe fueling, boat trailer, GPS, compass, data logger, fishing tackle and gear including downriggers, computer, pick-up trucks, cell phones, electronic sampling equipment, iPads, weighing scale, VHF radio, AIS, Radar, calculator, knives.
• This position is provided a Personnel Flotation Device (PFD) and marine survival suit.
• The following clothing is provided: WDFW apparel, gloves, and rain gear.

Customer Interactions:

License: 

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

Required Qualifications:

• Six-months boat handling experience in marine waters of Puget Sound or an equivalent area.
• Six-months of recreational salmon fishing experience in marine waters.

Preferred Educational 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: 

• 12-months of experience test fishing for salmon in Puget Sound.
• 12-months of experience sampling fisheries in Puget Sound.
• Able to ID all salmon species, common marine fish species, and crab species.
• Familiar with salmon, marine fish, and shellfish life histories, and sport fishing regulations.
• Safe operation of vessel at times in adverse conditions in the Puget Sound and proficient use of typical marine electronics (e.g., GPS, depth finder, radar, and radio).
• Excellent attention to detail and good communication skills.
• Completion of Motorboat Operators Certification Course (MOCC), or Washington State Boater Education Course, or equivalent.
• Experience working with members of the public.
• Use of sound judgement where safety of you and co-workers are concerned.

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.

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