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Website link here:\u00a0https:\/\/www.governmentjobs.com\/careers\/washington\/jobs\/2690948-0\/scientific-technician-2-non-permanent-00085-20#new_tab<\/a><\/p>\n Description<\/p>\n Washington is\u00a0America’s Top State<\/a>\u00a0according to\u00a0U.S. News (2019)<\/a>\u00a0and we provide one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.<\/p>\n The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.\u00a0 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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations.\u00a0 Each day, WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.\u00a0 WDFW’s employees\u2013field and laboratory biologists, geneticists, research scientists, hatchery professionals, policy experts, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, property acquisition specialists, customer service representatives and others work throughout the state.\u00a0 WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.\u00a0 WDFW employees maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands. They interpret, apply and enforce state and federal laws and collaborate with stakeholders to protect fish and wildlife resources. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.\u00a0 Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at\u00a0www.wdfw.wa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n The recruitment is one (1) 7-month non-permanent full-time Scientific Technician 2 in the Fish Program, Region 2, Fish Science. The duty station is the Methow Field Office located at 20268 State Route 20, Twisp, WA 98856.\u00a0 The anticipated start date March 16, 2020.<\/p>\n This position performs field work related to evaluation of hatchery program and population monitoring activities in the Methow River Basin.DutiesConduct spawning ground surveys<\/strong> Conduct remote sampling for juvenile fishes<\/strong> Sample adult steelhead and other fishes at the Twisp River weir<\/strong> Operate rotary screw traps<\/strong> Maintain remote PIT-tag antenna arrays<\/strong> Data entry<\/strong> Assist with other hatchery monitoring and evaluation activities<\/strong> Working Conditions:<\/strong> Equipment responsible for:<\/strong> Spawning Ground Survey:<\/strong> Remote Fish Sampling:<\/strong> Weir Trapping:<\/strong> Smolt Trapping:\u00a0<\/strong>A variety of working conditions are experienced during smolt trapping activities.\u00a0 During peak workloads (March-June & October-December), night work, highly variable work schedule, overtime, and cold inclement weather can be expected.\u00a0 It is required that you can navigate a rope-guided boat across the river to access the smolt traps during periods of high water.\u00a0\u00a0 Smolt traps are floating platforms that experience periods of instability and random movement, and can be very icy.\u00a0 There can be times of frequent noise exposure due to the operation of generators and water pumps. The sampling of fish requires the use of anesthesia chemicals (MS-222) as well as concentrated alcohol for sterilization and tissue preservation. Lifting and carrying buckets full of water, sometimes up and down ramps, is necessary. These duties can be\u00a0very\u00a0<\/em>mentally and physically demanding, particularly in the spring during periods of high fish abundance and high river discharge.<\/p>\n Maintaining PIT Tag Interrogation Sites:<\/strong> Other Sampling Tasks:<\/strong> Union:<\/strong> QualificationsRequired Qualifications:<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n Preferred work experience<\/strong> Special Requirements\/Conditions of Employment<\/strong> Supplemental InformationTo apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at\u00a0www.careers.wa.gov<\/a>\u00a0and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:<\/p>\n Please note:\u00a0 Failure to follow the above application instructions may lead to disqualification.\u00a0 E-mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile. Veteran Preference Notice<\/strong> Military Spouse Preference Notice<\/strong>
\nTasks include:<\/strong>
\nHiking up 10 miles per day in rough terrain (i.e., river corridors) and inclement weather while carrying sampling equipment (up to 50lbs)
\nMeasuring redd characteristics (dimensions, habitat variables, flow characteristics).
\nRecording observations related to spawning (e.g., identification of species, origin, and sex of spawners), and navigating rivers in pontoon boats.<\/p>\n
\nTasks include:<\/strong>
\nSampling juvenile salmonids and other fishes using various methods including angling, electrofishing, and netting
\nPIT tagging native salmonids
\nCollecting and recording biological data
\nCarrying sampling gear weighing up to 50 lbs. for extended periods while walking in rough terrain (i.e., along and across rivers).
\nIdentifying various species of juvenile fishes
\nAssisting with daily maintenance, preparation, and storage of sampling equipment.<\/p>\n
\nTasks include:<\/strong>
\nCollecting and recording biological data from live adult fish (i.e., scale samples, length, sex, tissue samples, and hatchery marks)
\nSafely handling and tagging adult and juvenile salmonids
\nEuthanizing surplus hatchery steelhead
\nCollecting whole fillets from fish for calibration of fat-meter
\nCollecting and counting eggs from surplus females and pre-spawn mortalities and implanting PIT tags and Floy tags.<\/p>\n
\nTasks include:<\/strong>
\nEnsuring proper operation of rotary screw traps including installation and maintenance.
\nCollecting juvenile salmonid data for estimating basin-wide natural smolt production
\nIdentifying various species, conducting mark\/recapture trials to estimate trap efficiency, and PIT tagging
\nCollecting biological information from target and non-target taxa<\/p>\n
\nTasks include:<\/strong>
\nAssisting with the construction, deployment, maintenance and repair of remote PIT tag antenna arrays throughout the Methow River basin, including working with others to ensure timely downloads of data from arrays and upload of data into P4 and PTAGIS.<\/p>\n
\nTasks include:<\/strong>
\nReviewing and tabulating data into existing MS Access or Excel databases<\/p>\n
\nTasks include:<\/strong>
\nAssisting with collection and spawning of hatchery broodstock, fish rescues, and other miscellaneous duties as required.<\/p>\n
\nThe work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, but days worked will vary by week.\u00a0 Work days will range from <8 hours to >12 hours, depending on workload.\u00a0 During peak work periods, working nights, weekends, and holidays may be required.\u00a0 Travel is required to field locations throughout the watershed to accomplish project duties.\u00a0 Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, training, or gather supplies from distant locations.<\/p>\n
\nPontoon boats, PIT tag detectors, snowmobiles, ATV’s, power and hand tools, computers, GPS units, fat-meters, PIT tag Readers, radio telemetry receivers, metal detectors, safety equipment (e.g. PFD’s).<\/p>\n
\nSpawning ground surveys are often performed during periods of cold and wet conditions (steelhead) or hot and dry conditions (Chinook) with prolonged exposure to the elements.\u00a0 Surveys are performed independently or in pairs by walking uneven and slippery stream terrain for up to 10 miles\/day, often in remote locations.\u00a0 Pontoon boats are used when high discharge precludes walking the river.\u00a0 Navigating large hydraulic river features and unstable log\/debris dams will be required.\u00a0 Travel to remote survey sites by snowmobile\/ATV will be common in the spring.<\/p>\n
\nWork is conducted in remote field locations. Access to remote fish sampling sites is often difficult and typically requires off-trail hiking through dense riparian areas where various hazards are present (e.g., tripping hazards). Operation of electrofishing equipment can result in exposure to dangerous electrical currents.\u00a0 Safety gear (i.e., gloves, waterproof waders, and a personal flotation device) should be worn at all times. Carrying a backpack with sampling gear or a bucket full of water weighing up to 50 lbs. while walking uneven and slippery river terrain is required on a daily basis. Angling and PIT tagging will be a significant portion of fish sampling duties requiring repetitious use of sharp needles, fishhooks, tweezers, etc.<\/p>\n
\nDifficult working conditions are also often experienced during weir trapping, including long days (12-hr days are common) and inclement weather.\u00a0 Collecting fish from the weir traps and cleaning of the weir requires walking across icy platforms and immersion in cold, swift, waist deep water for extended periods.\u00a0 PFDs should be worn at all times.\u00a0 Fish sampling requires the use of sharp tools (fillet knives, tweezers, needles), exposure to anesthesia chemicals (e.g., MS-222), and ethanol.\u00a0\u00a0 Lifting and carrying fish boots and buckets full of water will be necessary.\u00a0 These duties can be mentally and physically demanding particularly when following a long day of spawning ground surveys.<\/p>\n
\nWork to maintain interrogation sites can vary from fixing electrical issues to using snorkeling techniques to replace underwater equipment. The replacement of antennas commonly requires the ability to carry large and heavy objects into and out of river locations. A portion of the work will be performed in the water, occasionally requiring snorkeling while wearing drysuits.\u00a0 Travel to some sites may require snowshoes, skis, or snowmobiles.<\/p>\n
\nThere will be work performed in a hatchery setting during broodstock collection and spawning activities.\u00a0 Some broodstock collection maybe performed at Wells Dam, which requires the use of PPE such as long pants, close-toed footwear, and a hard hat, often during very hot and sunny conditions.\u00a0 Trapping activities at the dam and hatchery create the need for increased safety near exposed raceways and fish ladder facilities.<\/p>\n
\nThis 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.(WAFWP)<\/p>\n
\nGraduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.\u00a0\u00a0OR<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.<\/p>\n
\nPreference will be given to candidates who demonstrate experience in handling, sampling, and tagging adult and juvenile salmonids;
\nConducting spawning ground surveys for anadromous salmonids;
\nCollecting biological data in a neat and precise manner;
\nHiking long distances while carrying heavy sampling equipment in rough, slippery terrain;
\nCapturing juvenile salmonids by angling and electrofishing;
\nUsing Microsoft Access and Excel;
\nNavigating rivers in pontoon boats.
\nAdditional preference will be given to candidates who possess a related degree in fisheries, wildlife, environmental, or natural resource sciences.<\/p>\n
\nA valid driver’s license
\nMust be able to regularly endure long hours of adverse weather and wet conditions with minimal shelter, while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and accurately recording collected data.
\nTo safely and efficiently walk and\/or raft four to ten miles of rugged, low-order river terrain on a daily basis and be comfortable working regularly in a swift, whitewater river environment.
\nTo be comfortable, professional, and confident working amongst professionals from other agencies and the public, some of whom have differing opinions regarding the objectives and activities of WDFW.
\nTo occasionally lift weights of up to 75 lbs.
\nTo perform job duties under adverse conditions with minimal supervision and maintain concentration, manual dexterity, and keep meticulous records of data during long work shifts, including night shifts.<\/p>\n\n
\nUpon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.\u00a0 You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.\u00a0 In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at\u00a0www.careers.wa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nTo take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:<\/p>\n\n
\nTo take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:<\/p>\n