The 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.
 
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.  Each day, WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.  WDFW’s employees–field 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.  WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.  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.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

This recruitment is to fill one (1) 8-month Career Seasonal Scientific Technician 2 position in the Fish Program, Science Division, Hatchery/Wild Interactions Unit. The duty station is the Methow Field Office located at 20268 HWY 20, Twisp, WA. 98856.  The season is from April – November.
 
This position performs field work trapping, sampling, and collecting spring and summer Chinook salmon and summer Steelhead and assists with hatchery evaluation and monitoring activities.  Since these are endangered species, federal permits dictate the manner and duration in which broodstock may be handled, and evaluation is required to meet specific program  goals relating to the number and origin of species allowed for retention within ESA permit limits.  Without this position, hatchery broodstock collections may not achieve program goals, and the evaluation of run timing and abundance of hatchery and wild adult spring Chinook salmon and summer Steelhead will not be monitored. Furthermore, without this position, information necessary for fisheries managers to set local fishing seasons will be missing.

Conduct run-evaluation sampling of spring and summer Chinook salmon and summer steelhead per programmatic objectives and for fishery management.
Tasks include: Bio-sampling during run-at-large sampling at Wells Dam and Twisp weir, PIT tagging
 
Assist with remote PIT tagging efforts consistent with programmatic objectives including electrofishing, netting, and hook-and-lining primarily for juvenile steelhead and Chinook salmon.
Tasks include: Collect and bio-sample juvenile salmonids, PIT tagging
 
Assist with hatchery evaluation of spring and summer Chinook salmon and summer steelhead
Tasks include: bio-sampling during spawning events, pre-release length/weight sampling of juveniles, assisting supervisory biologists with data requests
 
Duty: Assist with juvenile monitoring of aforementioned species during smolt-trapping activities on rotary-screw traps
Tasks include: PIT tagging, recording biological data, entering data into P3/4 and uploading tag files
 
Conduct spawning ground surveys for summer steelhead and spring Chinook
Tasks include: walking 6-10 miles or rafting 6-15 miles per day quantifying redd and carcass data
 
Maintain long-term databases
Tasks include: Enter/QC/summarize/report data collected during spawning ground and hatchery evaluation activities.
 
Working Conditions
Work schedule is 24/7 as needed to meet program goals and objectives; position may be required to work nights, weekends, or holidays; work may include night shifts working juvenile smolt traps or monitoring adult fish weir(s).

Primary fieldwork is conducted in inclement conditions (i.e., snow, rain, cold, heat). Applicant must be willing to work in all conditions. Incumbent should be comfortable, professional, and confident working amongst professionals from other agencies and members of the general public  that may disagree with WDFW policies and objectives.  A valid driver’s license. 
 
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.

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

College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences or closely allies 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.

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.

Preferred candidate will have experience in the following:
Prefer candidates with strong computer skills using Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access.  
Prefer candidates with experience using PIT tag detectors and injectors and CWT wands.  
Should be able to carry heavy weights of up to 40 lb (i.e., water buckets, carcasses) for short distances.

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 professional)

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification.  E-mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.
Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.