For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3361995/scientific-technician-2-two-2-openings-permanent-career-seasonal-15545

Salary- $2,864.00 – $3,701.00 Monthly

Our Scientific Technicians,

  • Identify, record, and monitor salmonid redds and carcass recovery (live/dead fish counts) within selected stream reaches.
  • Collect data and records on paper field forms and electronically, which may include GPS locations and mapping.
  • Conduct spawning ground surveys on foot and by operating a variety of watercraft.
  • Perform commercial gillnet fishery duties including but not limited to, biological sampling of commercial catch for scales, adipose fin clip mark status, coded wire tags, genetic DNA tissue samples, length, sex, and any other biological samples as needed.
  • Perform commercial on-board monitoring duties including monitoring the commercial gillnet fishery for net soak times, summarizing catch for retained and released fish by species, and other duties.
  • Occasionally assist at hatcheries, traps or weirs, and other field/lab related projects.
  • Check all equipment to ensure it is maintained, properly stored, accounted for, and meets safety requirements daily.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Setting, including hazards:    
    1. Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment.
    2. During recreational fishery and commercial on-board monitoring, field activities include frequent standing, walking, bending, negotiating boat ramps or slippery surfaces, boarding vessels.
    3. Lifting field sampling equipment, biological samples, carcasses, and other objects up to or greater than 40 pounds.
    4. During spawning ground surveys, work involves considerable driving and hiking into remote areas on private and public timberlands.
    5. There is risk of encountering stinging plants, insects, and other wildlife.
    6. Walking up to 10 miles a day along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, or maneuvering watercraft.
  • Schedule:   
    1. Typically, work schedule is 24/7 (non-scheduled); weekend, holiday, and evening work may be required.
    2. Work hours can vary due to inclement weather, river conditions, access, and fish densities.
    3. Field sampling start and end times usually fall outside of the normal 8 – 5-work schedule.
  • Travel Requirements:
    • All travel will be conducted by use of state vehicles.
    • Periodic travel within Willapa Bay basin (Pacific County) either to assigned ports for recreational or commercial monitoring or to freshwater river systems for spawning ground surveys.
  • Tools and Equipment:
    • Waders, wading boots, wading boots, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) wand, serrated knife, hemostats, clicker counters, sunglasses, WDFW hat, wading staff, any other sampling equipment.
  • Customer Interactions:
    • Frequent communication with the public (recreational or commercial anglers) regarding current fishery status and regulatory actions – there will be interaction with landowners.
    • Customer service skills is essential for constant contact and continued positive relationships with landowners to gain access to surveyed reaches through private property.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

OR

  • Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science AND two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

          OR 

  • College coursework involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the coursework includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:

  • Valid Driver’s License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Knowledge of:

  • Willapa Bay Basins, protocols, and sampling methodologies.

Ability to:

  • Use and operate watercraft safely and efficiently through treacherous instream obstacles.
  • Navigate with primitive maps and a GPS to find survey locations.

Supplemental Information

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.