Salary: $2,957.00 – $3,915.00 Monthly
Location: Kitsap County – Other, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Non-Permanent
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job Number: 2023-03482
Closing: 3/15/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Anticipated Appointment Length: 3 Months
 March 16, 2023, – June 15, 2023

Join the WDFW Kitsap team and check fish traps on the Hood Canal Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW) stream complex – including Little Anderson, Seabeck and Stavis Creek, and the permanent weir on Big Beef Creek.    

Collect data that is used to estimate marine survival, smolt production and the harvest rates of juvenile salmonids! 

Picture yourself checking smolt traps daily, enumerating catch, and sub-sampling catch for size. 

With your experience you will apply Coded Wire Tags (CWT) to coho smolts captured in the Big Beef Creek. 

This is an opportunity to collect Coded Wire Tags (CWT) data that is used in coho forecasting and estimating marine survival and harvest rates. 

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

Duties
Our Smolt Trap Technician,  

Performs Smolt Trapping: 

• Assists with the installation, removal, operation and maintenance of fence and permanent weirs.
• Checks smolt traps daily – records species, mark and tag status, enumerates and sub samples catch for fork length and weight and enters data into project database. 
• Responsible for maintaining trap integrity during high flow and making repairs if damage occurs due to weather, flows, debris, or vandalism. 

Conducts Coded Wire Tagging (CWT):

• Works with supervisors to apply Coded Wire Tags (CWT) to coho smolts captured in the Big Beef Creek weir – requires appropriate fish handling and tagging techniques. 
• Responsibilities include tagging, enumerating by tag code, recording, and entering data into project database. 
• Properly clean and maintain equipment throughout the trapping season. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is conducted outdoors in inclement weather conditions – requires working alone or at night. 
  • Daily fieldwork includes – wading in streams, hiking short distances over uneven terrain, carrying field equipment and/or buckets of fish weighing 40 pounds or less, occasional exposure to high stream flows, cold water, noise, odors and may encounter wildlife and stinging insects. 
  • On a daily basis work will involve repetitive lifting, hand movements, finger manipulation and long periods of standing.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • 24/7 (non-scheduled) – 40 hours per week, 8 – 10 hours per day.
  • Weekend, evening, and holiday work will be required.  
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel between trapping locations with state vehicle – occasional travel to Olympia or other trapping locations. 
• Tools and Equipment:
  • State motor vehicles, water pumps, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) machine, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag reader, computer, cell phone, hand tools, weighing scale, waders, boots, raingear, fence weirs, and fan traps.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Work with scientists from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) who are conducting steelhead research at Big Beef Creek.
  • Occasional interaction with public and private landowners.

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. 

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.

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Familiar with salmon life history and safe fish-handling techniques.
• Experience working with juvenile salmonids. 
• Intermediate computer and Excel experience.

License/Certifications: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with study-area streams and area fish populations.
• Construction skills.

To Apply
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. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3951372/smolt-trap-technician-scientific-technician-2-non-permanent-03482-23

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.  You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials – your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor before you will be allowed to work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

Supplemental Information
IMPORTANT NOTE: 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

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 Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

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:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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.

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.

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.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3951372/smolt-trap-technician-scientific-technician-2-non-permanent-03482-23