This recruitment is for (1) one 9-month permanent full-time Career Seasonal Scientific Technician 2 in the Fish Program, Puget Sound Sampling Unit.  The duty station’s for this position is Dec 1-Jun 30: John Wayne Marina 2577 W Sequim Bay Road, Sequim, WA 98382 and Jul 1-Aug 31: Olson’s Resort 444 front St, Sekiu, WA 98381

This position collects and summarizes recreational salmon and marine fish fisheries data to meet sampling goals set by biometricians.  Proper implementation of this region’s fisheries sampling program provides the information necessary to estimate catch and effort statistics for commercial and recreational fisheries management, for the assessment of biological information by stock, and susequent achievment of spawning escapements and court-manadated catch allocations.
Duties

Samples recreational fisheries for halibut, salmon and marine fish catch to determine catch per unit of effort and species composition in order to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and marine fish.  Collects coded-wire tags (CWT) and biological data.
Tasks include:
Properly implements interview procedures and sampling protocols, and accurately records data on appropriate forms.  Observes, counts, and accurately identifies salmon, marine fish and shellfish species.  Samples all coho and Chinook salmon with electronic CWT detection devices (wand or tunnel detectors).  Classifies, sorts, and enumerates marked tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged and unmarked untagged salmon.  Retrieves snouts with CWTs from Chinook and coho to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.  Samples catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal & sublegal proportions), and hatchery/wild fractions (mark-status proportions). Distributes and collects Voluntary Angler Trip Report forms that are essential for fisheries management. Interact with the general public during data collection and provide basic information regarding fish resources as well as agency programs and activities.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Reviews & summarizes data, public relations and equipment maintenance duties, and other tasks as needed. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.

Working Conditions
Non-scheduled – 40 hours per week; weekend and evening work required.  8 – 12 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.  Interacts with the general public during data collection and provides basic information regarding fish resources as well as agency programs and activities.  Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.  Includes some contact with those who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated. Being able to keep calm and respond in a professional manner is paramount.

Inside/outside, inclement weather, rough water, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, lifting (40 lb. max.) working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, raingear, equipment holsters, personal floatation devises (PFD), agency identifying clothing, bees (yellow jackets), and use of knives. Travel is the Puget Sound area and seldom overnight.