Working Title- Creel Surveyor

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment/Season Length- 5.5 Months – August 13, 2025 – January 30, 2026
 WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division

Duty Station- Auburn, Washington – King County

The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Please note: Salary listed above does not include the 5% premium pay granted to all King County employees. In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for 5% premium pay for positions located in King County.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Coho fever – Photo Credit: Nancy Winder

This is an opportunity to provide technical support to salmon managers to record, review, and tabulate recreational fisheries data impacts on salmon.

You are excited to provide the information necessary to estimate catch and effort statistics for recreational fisheries management, and subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and court-mandated catch allocations.

We are seeking a candidate to conduct creel surveys of recreational anglers fishing for salmon in the Duwamish/Green River.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Conducts angler creel surveys for Chinook, pink, and coho salmon in the Green River Basin.

• Conducts visual examinations of fish to identify them to species and obtain information from anglers fishing for Chinook, pink, and coho salmon including angling duration, and species targeted, caught, and released.
• Explains survey project, procedures, and objectives to sport fishermen to enlist their cooperation in providing quality data for the study.
• Daily walks, bikes, and drives long distances along the river often climbing down difficult slopes to reach the riverbank where anglers are fishing.
• Rowing a pontoon boat in the river may also be needed to access and count anglers.
• Typically works alone and sometimes works in adverse weather conditions.

Keeps accurate records of survey data and summarizes results in both a PowerPoint and report.

• Accurately records and compiles creel survey data.
• Enters data into Excel on a daily basis and compiles charts, draws graphs, and prepares illustrations to convey the data.
• Creates a PowerPoint presentation of results and provides a summary report for the creels.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: This position requires working alone for long hours in physically demanding conditions, climbing down steep banks to reach anglers, and walking, biking, and driving long distances, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.  It may also include rowing a pontoon boat in the river. Hazards may also include bees (yellow jackets) and slippery surfaces. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: The primary work schedule will be 40 hours per week, Wednesday – Saturday. Surveys will be conducted both in the morning (e.g., 6:00 AM start) and evening (e.g., 4:00 PM start).

Travel requirements: Local travel to field sites is required daily.  An agency vehicle will be provided for surveys.

Customer Interactions: Extensive contact with recreational anglers on the river and boaters at boat ramps.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:  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.

Option 2:  Graduation from high school or 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:  Volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute year-for-year for experience.  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 (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and?training availability.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Working knowledge of salmon life history and previous experience identifying Pacific salmon.
• Experience interviewing members of the public.
• Experience angling for trout or salmon and interacting with other anglers.
• Experience collecting data in the field and recording data accurately.
• Experience with rafting, kayaking, or similar activity on the water.
• Research and Gathering Information: Effectively and correctly identifies, collects, organizes and documents survey field data. 
• Recordkeeping: Consistently and accurately documents information and updates records/databases.
• Using Personal Computers: Understands basic computer operation with experience in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently with very little oversight.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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

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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran).
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or emailJayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: 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. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04391.