This recruitment is for an on-call, non-permanent Scientific Technician 3 position in the Fish Program, Puget Sound Salmon Management Unit, Puget Sound Commercial Fisheries. The duty station is usually the home address of the selected incumbent.
This position serves as the pilot of one of the WDFW research vessels monitoring marine fish catch in Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries. The Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Monitoring Program is essential to fulfilling agency commitments made by the Department with tribal co-managers under U.S.v Washington (Federal Court continuing jurisdiction under the Boldt Decision) at PFMC/North of Falcon proceedings. Further, the program fulfills requirements under the Endangered Species Act, administered by NOAA Fisheries and meets obligations of the US/Canada Pacific Salmon Treaty. Observers onboard commercial fishing vessels collect landing data on targeted catch and by-catch composition, fishing effort, and other critical data needed for fisheries management.
The boat pilot is responsible for the safe operation of WDFW research vessels in Marine Salmon Catch Areas 7 through 12 while transporting and transferring observers to and from actively fishing commercial vessels in Puget Sound. As a field crew lead for monitoring marine fish species landed in Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries, the boat pilot coordinates with their observer crew on daily monitoring logistics and sampling plans, and may participate in collecting biological data. Aside from the daily operation of the vessels, this position is responsible for daily maintenance of the monitoring program’s research vessels and related equipment including the trucks and trailers.
This positions work closely with biologists and fishery managers in the Fish Management unit. The boat pilot works closely with commercial fishing vessel captains and their crew, communicating via VHF radio and loud-hailer. This position may also be required to conduct onboard sampling as an observer.
Duties
Onboard fish sampling and data collection.
Tasks include: Pilot WDFW research vessels that monitor Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries to achieve the safe transport and transfer of agency staff (boat-to-boat transfers) to various commercial fishing vessels (purse seine and gill net vessels) while they are fishing in the marine waters of Puget Sound. Ensure the safety of the observers at sea.
Follow all agency rules, safety procedures, and policies on operation of vessels at sea. Includes monitoring weather forecasts and conditions and making decisions on the water regarding safety of crew.
Lead and coordinate daily in-field monitoring of commercial fisheries for the vessel they are operating. Includes determining sampling effort and logistics for monitoring landed catch, coordinating with observers and commercial fishing vessel captains to put observers on and pick them up from actively fishing vessels at sea, maintaining contact with observers and knowing the location of the commercial fishing vessel they are on at all times.
Accurately record and report commercial fishing effort to fishery managers throughout the day. Maintain contact with the supervisor throughout the day to provide updates on commercial effort, observed harvest, and other information as required for daily in-season management of Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries.
Supervise non-perm scientific technicians as part of the Puget Sound commercial monitoring program. Also requires in field supervision of other non-perm scientific technicians participating in commercial monitoring activities. While monitoring on research vessel, field supervision includes making decisions on sampling schedules, ensuring sampling procedures are followed and properly addressing any and all safety concerns that come up during the field day.
Interact professionally with commercial fishing crews and captains.
Additional monitoring tasks include boarding commercial fishing vessels ,enumerating catch and by-catch, identifying salmon and other marine fish to species, recording additional information and data as required.
The boat pilot is responsible for logistics of trailering, launching, and storing vessels during the commercial fishing season. Includes coordinating his/her observer crew on when and where to meet the research boat and briefing them on sampling plans for the day.
Insure vehicles, vessels, and motors are stored properly at end of sampling day. Conduct vessel maintenance as needed, including: oil changes, equipment installation, basic repair, and winterizing and de-winterizing vessels.
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