This recruitment is to fill one (1) 10.5 month Career Seasonal permanent full-time Scientific Technician 2 position in the Fish Program, Fish Management. The duty station is located at the Pasco District Office, located at 2620 N. Commercial Avenue, Pasco WA, 99301. The season is from August 1 through June 15.
WDFW staff annually monitors the steelhead and fall salmon sport fisheries in McNary reservoir (Lake Wallula) and the lower Yakima River. Lake Wallula sport fisheries will be monitored from August 1 through April 15 and the Yakima River spring chinook fishery will be monitored from May 1 through June 15 annually. In addition to sport fishery monitoring, stream surveys will be conducted in the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River and in the lower 50 miles of the Yakima River to recover post-spawn fall chinook from October 23 through December 15 annually. WDFW is recruiting one permanent technician to work on these multiple projects The data collected from these surveys will provide WDFW with the information needed to estimate harvest of fall/spring chinook, coho, and steelhead as well as estimate impacts of the sport fisheries on ESA Listed species. The data collected will also be used to determine origin, complete run reconstruction for use in forecasting future returns, and assess the health of these anadromous populations.
Duties
Field Data Collection
Tasks include:
The technician will be responsible for sampling during the Hanford Reach/Yakima River sport fisheries and stream surveys. Technician must collect pertinent information from anglers (bank & boat) participating in the sport fishery through site interviews. Technician must record effort (fishing times), species, conduct routine index angler and trailer counts, and collect biological information from fish harvested and those encountered during stream surveys.
Following Sampling Protocols and Methods
Tasks include:
Technician is responsible for ensuring all biological samples are collected following field sampling protocols defined by their supervisors and will review all data collected in the field for completeness and accuracy. Technician will properly package, labeled, record, and submit all data to the appropriate WDFW Labs for processing. These samples include snouts from CWT detections and scale samples taken for aging.
Vehicle Maintenance
Tasks include:
Technician ensures that all equipment and vehicles assigned to this Project are properly maintained and must follow all applicable safety practices in transit and while in the field.
Coordination of Sampling and Data
Tasks include:
Technician must coordinate all activities under the sport fishery creel and stream survey programs with the Region 3 District 4 Fish Biologist.
Working Conditions
Scheduled days and hours of work will vary and will include working most weekends and potentially holidays. Employee will routinely interact with anglers to obtain information. Employee will routinely travel to public access sites along the Columbia River and lower Yakima River. State vehicle will be provided.
Position will require the seasonal use of boats including outboard jet and cataraft. Applicants must be able to routinely lift up to 40 pounds. Technician will be working alone during sport fishery monitoring and will work as a member of a 2-3 person team during stream surveys. The ability to work in inclement weather is a must.
Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP). As a condition of employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.
Qualifications
Degree in fisheries or very closely related field
1-2 years fisheries experience
Experience working with ESA listed Steelhead and Chinook salmon.
Experience with Microsoft Excel.
Demonstrated working knowledge of and ability to identify native and non-native fishes of the Columbia River Basin.
Experience is based on full time equivalency (i.e., 40 or more hours/week). Part time work is prorated (e.g., 20 hours/week for 6 years = 3 years of experience). Do not count experience that was a part of your educational requirements.
Supplemental Information
To 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 (please make it succinct)
Three professional references (personal references do not count as profession