FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
PORT SAMPLER
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2
 
Fish Program – Ocean Management Division
Neah Bay, Washington – Clallam County
 
Career Season Length:  8 Months
March 1 – October 31
 
Do you have a desire to work with the public, but would love it if that work was conducted outside?
 
Collect data for short-term quota management and long-term management of ocean recreational and commercial fisheries.
 
In this role, you will interact with the public, answer questions, and explain sampling procedures.
 
Salty hogs – Photo Credit: Stuart Allen
 
This is an opportunity to conduct work that will help ensure ocean fishery catches do not exceed allowable levels established to conserve fish resources.
 
In this dynamic role, you will promote a healthy economy, protect community character, maintain an overall high quality of life, and deliver high-quality customer service.
 
You are excited to work with a team of professionals to conserve and protect native fish and wildlife, and provide sustainable fishing, hunting, and other wildlife-related recreational and commercial experiences.

Here are some things you will be doing in this role,

Conduct port sampling of recreational and commercial fisheries: 

• Collection of effort, catch, and biological data from the ocean recreational and commercial troll fisheries through angler interviews, examination of marine fish catches, and collection of various biological data.
• Provide daily feedback and judgments regarding sampling protocols and field procedures that directly affect the statistical validity of data used by ocean fishery managers to regulate the exploitation of ocean fish populations while promoting the conservation of fish populations through the sustainable harvest of fish stocks which directly affect the economies, livelihoods, and unique culture of Washington’s coastal communities.
• Record, summarize, and tabulate field data utilizing electronic devices, software programs, and paper forms; including daily synchronization of data to external databases, and the reporting of all data on forms error-free and on time to fishery managers. 
• Regular professional interactions with recreational, tribal, and commercial fishermen to explain WDFW research projects, procedures, and objectives to enlist their cooperation in reporting marked fish encounters, recording the types and locations of catches, and overall fishing effort.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Field 100%. The work requires long and odd hours during the ocean fisheries.
  • Work hours are spent standing, walking, bending, negotiating steep ramps, slippery surfaces, unstable docks, boarding vessels, and lifting, handling, and manipulating fish up to 60 pounds. The work involves the utilization of or being near sharp sampling tools or fishing gear. The work can take place in busy fish houses or in cannery rooms around various types of equipment and machinery.
  • Coastal temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the field.
  • Some computer work.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • 40 hours per week, varying workdays.
  • Weekend work, non-consecutive days off, occasional long hours, overtime, and holiday work required.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Daily travel required within assigned port.
  • Occasional travel to Montesano or other ports within Washington.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Knives, scissors, tweezers, hemostats, measuring board, personal flotation device, iPad, T wand (cwt detector), and laptop.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interact with the public daily, answering questions, explaining sampling policy and methodology, distributing catch, quota, and regulatory information.

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.

• Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

• College coursework 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 resources courses.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Salmonid identification in their ocean phase.
• Competent collection of catch and effort data from ocean fisheries.
• Ability to record and synchronize data utilizing electronic devices and paper forms in an error-free manner.
• Good understanding of sampling objectives and methodologies.
• Meet sampling objectives and maximize data accuracy and integrity.
• Demonstrate excellent competence in sampling duties; fish handling, species identification, standardized interviews, CWT wanding technique, Chinook DNA, and scale collection.
• Ability to disseminate accurate information on ocean seasons and management actions to the public.
• Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather on docks and unstable surfaces.
• Ability to deliver messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
• Ability to work well without supervision, self-motivated.
• Ability to prioritize and focus efforts in a high-paced environment.
• Knowledge and practice of Standard Operating Procedures.
• Demonstrate professionalism and interact with fishery constituents and the public in a means that builds rapport.

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/listed on your application.

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).

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 Cheri.Weld@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 Cheri.Weld@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.

cw

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