FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 VIABLE SALMONID MONITORING TECHNICIAN
 SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2

Fish Program – Fish Management Division
 Cathlamet, Washington – Wahkiakum, County

WDFW has an exciting opportunity for those interested in working outdoors.  Join our team and conduct juvenile salmonid trapping, adult fish weir operations, and adult fall Chinook, coho, and chum salmon spawner surveys on the Grays River, Elochoman River, and other Lower Columbia River (LCR) tributaries.

 Rotary Screw Trap – Photo Credit: Dave Burgess.

With that in mind, 
 Monitors the status of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed salmonid populations in through development of accurate estimates of abundance and other Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) parameters.

 This is meaningful work,
Aimed to promote recovery of the Grays and Elochoman river fall Chinook and coho salmon populations by meeting management objectives for control of hatchery origin fish allowed to spawn naturally.

We are seeking a candidate, 
 Who represents WDFW as a highly visible representative of the agency—getting the work done while maintaining a positive image of WDFW and working relationships with the public.

Here’s an overview of what the Viable Salmonid Monitoring Technician will be doing,

Juvenile Fish Trapping:

• Assists in the installation, operation, maintenance, and removal of juvenile migrant traps such rotary screw and/or fence-panel with live box traps to collect data needed to estimate juvenile salmonid outmigrant abundance in the Grays River and other basins.
• Identifies, enumerates, handles, marks and recaptures juvenile salmonids and other fish species. 

Operation and maintenance of adult fish weirs: 

• Assists in the daily operation and maintenance of the Grays River and Elochoman River adult fish weirs and biological data collection of adult salmonids.
• Assists weir crew in the instillation and removal of the Grays River and Elochoman River adult fish weirs.
   

Data gathering via snorkeling-in rivers:

Stream surveys and Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) monitoring:

• Conducting adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
• Identifying and enumerating adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds. 
• Uses Toughpads  and iPads devices to mark redds locations and enter biological data. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Approximately 85% of the time is in a field environment conducting duties such as spawning ground surveys by either foot or cataraft – field work includes being exposed to extreme temperatures, wet slippery surfaces,  and white-water conditions/rapids (Class 1-3).  
  • Repetitively carrying loads up to 70 pounds of weir components for short distances; carrying fish (live or dead) up to 30 pounds. 
  • Walking up to six miles per day over rough terrain and climbing in and out of motorized and non-motorized boats.
  • Exposure to salmon samples that contain very strong odors.
  • Ability to snorkel in rivers with fast flowing/whitewater conditions under variable weather conditions up to 6 miles a day. 
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
  • The remaining 15% of work time is in an office and or laboratory setting, operating a computer.  
     
• Schedule:
  • 40 hours per week, with variable hours per day.  
  • Must be willing to work long days, nights, weekends, and some holidays.  
  • Overtime may be accrued.
     
• Travel Requirements:
  • Most of the duties are conducted in the field away from the duty station.  
  • Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required with either a departmental issued vehicle or personal vehicle. 

• Tools and Equipment:
  • May include: the use of basic hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys and blocks, motorized and non-motorized watercraft, 4×4 vehicles; the ability to tow vehicles; the use of 200’ beach seines, PIT tag readers, CWT detectors, iPads, weighing scales, knives, handheld data loggers and computers.

• Customer Interactions:
  • Interacting with other departmental personnel, personnel from other agencies, commercial fishers and the public with professionalism regardless of the intensity of the interaction.
    

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR  

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire and renewal expected annually. 
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• Ability to identify salmonids and other fish species in larval, juvenile and/or adult life stages.
• Ability to identify salmonid redds.
• Knowledge of resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs. 
• Knowledge of juvenile and adult salmonid fish marking and tagging protocols.
• Knowledge of fishery monitoring, observing and sampling.
• Knowledge of commercial fishing gear types and methods.
• Ability to row non-motorized oar-framed boats such as drift boats and catarafts (a twin-hulled raft) in white water conditions/rapids (Class 1-3).
• Ability to do basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Knowledge of basic carpentry skills. 
• Knowledge in how to operate Coded Wire Tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag detectors.
• Ability to operate handheld iPad and data logger devices.
• Ability to work alone in remote locations.
• Basic CPR and First Aid Certified.
• Experience in juvenile trapping techniques including operation of rotary screw and fence-panel with live box juvenile traps.

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

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 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 agencyand the perksof 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).

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:

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

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.   Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.  

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov, 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.

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