For more information, please follow this link: https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-scientific-technician-2—19-various-fisheries-related-positions—non-permanent–on-call-07960-22-western-washington/1895437359?utm_source=ongage&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=regular

Salary– $2,864.00 – $3,701.00 Monthly

Picture yourself assisting with monitoring the health and diversity of populations of salmon (including Chinook, Coho, Chum, and Steelhead) and other species, such as Eulachon and Sturgeon.

These are opportunities to gather and provide essential information that is needed to assess the status of different stocks of these populations for conservation and to help maintain sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries.

The optimal applicants will have a positive can-do attitude as they collect/sample data and are eager to work hard and have fun in an environment where there’s never a dull moment.

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.

Duties

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the duties that are required, typical work may include one or more of the following:

• Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
• Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds while using GPS devices to mark redd locations.
• Capture, identify, enumerate, handle and tag and/or mark salmonids (juveniles and adults) for mark/recapture programs and distribution monitoring.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, operation and removal of monitoring structures and devices for adult and juvenile salmonid monitoring such as traps and weirs.
• Interview sport anglers and record catch by species and collect biological samples from fish such as salmon, trout, and sturgeon.
• Monitor and observe commercial fisheries.
• Use established protocols to detect and collect coded wire tags (CWT) and passive integrated transponders (PIT), collecting DNA for Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) and making Visual Stock Identification (VSI) calls.
• Accurately enter data into dataloggers and PDAs.
• Conducting snorkel surveys in streams and rivers.
• Collect broodstock for established enhancement and hatchery programs.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the working conditions that are required, typical working conditions may include:

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Primarily field work, which entails conducting spawning ground surveys by either foot or cata-raft – some work is performed in an office and/or laboratory setting.
• Field work is performed outdoors during all weather conditions, duties are often conducted on wet slippery surfaces and include repetitively carrying cata-rafts that weight up to 70 pounds for short distances over rough terrain, walking up to fifteen miles per day and climbing in and out of motorized and non-motorized boats.
• Must be willing to sample spawned out salmon carcasses that can contain very strong odors and lift large alive/dead fish with or without assistance.

Schedule: 

• On-Call Positions – Hourly: 24/7, non-scheduled, may work early/late hours, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Non-Permanent Positions – Salary: Typically, 40 hours per week – 24/7, non-scheduled, may include working on weekends and holidays.

Travel Requirements: 

• Daily travel from the duty station to/from field locations is required with either a departmental issued vehicle or personal vehicle.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Tools and Equipment:

• Basic hand/carpentry tools, winches, pulleys/blocks, motorized/non-motorized watercraft, 4×4 vehicles and must be able to tow vehicles.
• 200’ beach seines, Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag injectors, PIT tag readers, coded wire tags (CWT) detectors, GPS units, weighing scales, handheld data loggers, Personal Digital Assistance (PDAs), and computers.

Customer Interactions: 

Interacting with other departmental personnel, personnel from other agencies, commercial fishers, and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

Positions filled through this pool will vary in the Preferred Qualifications, typical qualifications may include:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school/GED, including one year of high school science And Two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

Or

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

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

• Basic operation of a personal computer.
• Ability to do basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• A valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• First Aid and CPR certifications – must be obtained within one (1) month of hire.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within 6 months of hire and renewal expected annually.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• WDFW snorkel training and certification.

Knowledge of: 

• Operation of Coded Wire Tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag detectors.
• Resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs.
• Operation of rotary screw and fence-panel (with live box) juvenile traps.
• Fish marking and tagging protocols.
• Fishery monitoring, observing, and sampling.
• Commercial fishing gear types and methods.
• Basic operations of motorized vessels.

Ability to: 

• Identify salmonids and other fish species in larval, juvenile and/or adult life stages.
• Identify salmonid redds.
• Perform advanced functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Operate handheld GPS and data logger devices.