Salary: $2,957.00 – $3,915.00 Monthly
Location: Skagit County – Other, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Non-Permanent
Job Number: 2023-07296
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 06/02/2023
Closing Date: 6/19/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Anticipated Appointment Length: 3.5 Months
August 1, 2023 – November 15, 2023

Would you enjoy working outdoors with the public?  Are you able to safely operate different types of boats? Provide technical field support by collecting and organizing spawning ground data of anadromous fish stocks in the Skagit River Basin. Work independently and as a team member conducting spawning ground surveys, biological sampling of fish, and inventories of absence or presence of anadromous fish stocks.

This is an opportunity to work outdoors in river environments collecting biological data in support of salmonid population assessments in the Skagit Basin.

With your experience, you will accurately identify freshwater stage adult salmonids, their redds and other species.

You are excited to develop and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, the public, landowners, and biologists from either State, Federal, tribal, or public and private organizations to promote cooperative work and to exchange information.

We are seeking candidates who will support the WDFW mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities through habitat protection and enhancement activities.

Duties
Our Stock Assessment Technicians,

• Primarily responsible for conducting stock assessment surveys and biological sampling of anadromous species throughout District 14.
• Hike or boat (via pontoon and jet sled) sections of the Skagit basin and independent tributaries, which requires navigating difficult terrain regardless of weather conditions.
• Record and enumerate observations of salmon redds, salmon species, and survey conditions.
• Biological sampling of fish carcasses regardless of condition.
• Clearly and concisely record data collected during surveys using paper and electronic methods.
• May include bull trout surveys and/or areas throughout Region 4.
• Review, record, and tabulate data.
• May include data editing and data entry for field surveys and biological data collection.  Organize and archive raw data.
• Accurately collect and record basic resource and fishery information into prescribed electronic or written form.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work occurs all seasons in all weather and in all conditions from extreme heat to extreme cold and snow.  Often works in remote locations without cellular service independently and in and around moving water.  Work is almost always in, on, or around water, moving or not.  Hazards include but are not limited to exposure to heat, cold, slippery/uneven surfaces, sharp surfaces, hard surfaces.  Lacerations from sampling instrumentation or environmental hazards, drowning, sprains, strains, fractures, and contusions, and exposure to potentially dangerous wild or domestic animals and encounters with people who may be overly friendly or hostile and combative.  Traffic accidents, boating accidents, ATV accidents and any and all potential hazards associated with mechanized or human powered travel during all seasons and environmental conditions.
  • Carry up to 75 lbs of equipment short distances to access sites and over log jams (e.g. portaging and carrying equipment to site). Walk many miles (~ 12 mi) in large streams and through rugged terrain.
  • Must be able to work independently in remote wilderness situations without cell service for entire work shifts while wading through remote streams in thigh to waist-deep water.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Usually Monday – Friday during core hours.  Split shifts, overtime, overnight, weekend, and holiday work may be assigned.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Mostly in-state for trainings and conferences, but possible some out-of-state required (expect no more than 3 days in travel status).
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Pontoon boats, rafts, jet sleds, vehicles, ATV’s, chainsaws, knives, sensitive electronic sampling equipment, computers, laptops, waders, cold weather exposure gear, hot weather clothing, forceps, writing utensils and written and electronic data logs or books.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Volunteer workers, WDFW and Tribal biologists and technicians, private and public landowners, public recreationists (boaters, anglers, hikers), WDFW law enforcement officers, and public and private natural resources stakeholders.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 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.

Or

License:

Training:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience as a salmonid spawning ground surveyor.
• Ability to independently launch, and operate a cataraft (pontoon boat) in all usually surveyed areas of the Skagit River Basin. This may require lifting and/or pulling the vessel around trees or other obstructions. 
• Ability to load, unload, portage and navigate a pontoon raft through all normally raft-surveyed sections throughout District 14. 
• Background in elementary biology and in-the-field salmonid identification.
• Ability to clearly and concisely fill out field data forms using electronic and paper methods. Understand basic field sampling techniques and procedures, sample rates and biases. 
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Adapts easily to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. Must have a flexible work schedule to meet project timelines and goals. 
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions, have good communication skills, and able to interact with the general public and co-workers.
• Resourcefulness in Problem Solving: Uses intelligence, common sense, hard work and tenacity to solve particularly difficult or complicated challenges
• Self-knowledge, Development and Continued Learning: Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement. Willing to take instruction and correction to task performance.

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. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4066634/stock-assessment-technician-scientific-technician-2-4-openings-non-permanen