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

Become part of a dynamic team that is invested in making a difference in the conservation of Washington State’s salmon, marine fish, and shellfish species. 

Thrive on building collaboration and teamwork while performing test fishing, creel (angler surveys), sampling, and gathering data.

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

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself piloting WDFW research vessels to conduct test fishing and angler effort surveys in the Puget Sound and North Sound. 

These are opportunities to, sample catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal & sublegal proportions) and hatchery/natural-origin fractions (mark-status proportions).  

The optimal applicants are team players who take pride in their work, are motivated, dependable, respectful, and able to easily establish rapport.

We are seeking candidates, 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.

Our Scientific Technician 3’s,  

• Use a variety of methods (e.g. weight and bait, downrigger, jigging, diver) to emulate (match) the recreational fishing fleet.
• Operate outboard and inboard/outboard motorboats, including trailering, launching, and docking in all types of weather conditions.
• Perform minor routine maintenance on the boat, motor, trailer, and test fishing equipment.
• Assess overall health rating to each fish prior to release to aid in 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.
• Intercept recreational and charter fishing vessels at sea (stationery and trolling) to conduct angler effort interviews.
• Record returning ramp location, number of anglers, and target species for each boat intercepted.
• 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 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.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors – in the field and on boats, may encounter adverse/inclement weather and sea conditions, standing in confined spaces, slippery surfaces, fish blood/slime, biting and stinging insects.
  2. Work includes long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, kneeling, climbing in/out of boats, sampling salmon in boats, boating, noises, odors, repetitive movements of hands/fingers, carrying, and lifting 40 lbs. unassisted.
• Schedule:
  1. Typically, 8 to 10 hours per day between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
  2. 24/7 non-scheduled, 40 hours per week – weekend and evening work are required.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Travel within the Puget Sound area – seldom overnight travel.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. 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, personal flotation devices (PFD), marine survival suit, rubber boots, and rain gear.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Interacts with the public during data collection and provides basic information regarding fish resources as well as agency programs and activities.
  2. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public and is a liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

          AND 

Certifications/Licenses: 

PREFERRED 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.

AND 

One (1) year of experience: 

• Test fishing for salmon in Puget Sound.
• Sampling fisheries in Puget Sound.

AND 

• 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.
• Completion of Motorboat Operators Certification Course (MOCC) boat safety class or equivalent.
• 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, radio).
• Excellent attention to detail and good communication skills.
• The use of sound judgement where safety of you and co-workers are concerned.
• Experience working with members of the public.

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 NOTES:  

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

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 skills in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

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.

*(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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