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) 8.5 -month full-time Career Seasonal Scientific Technician 2 position in the Fish Program, Science/ WSPEU and Fish Management/Puget Sound Sampling, Region 6.  The schedule for this position is:  April 16 -October 15 –  Point Defiance Boathouse Marina, -Octber16 – January 15  – Big Beef Creek UW Research Station – 9744 Manley Rd, NW, Seabeck, WA,

April 16 – October 15: 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 subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and court-mandated catch allocations.

October 16 – January 15: The purpose of this position is to assist with Hood Canal IMW adult salmon monitoring activities.  Employee will work directly under the field scientific technician 4.  The primary task of this position is conducting spawning ground surveys on Big Beef, Seabeck, Stavis and Little Anderson Creeks.  Other duties include operating and maintaining an adult salmon weir on Big Beef Creek and sampling terminal area Coho fishery for coded wire tagged Coho.

Spawning ground surveys
Tasks include:
Conduct weekly Coho and chum spawning ground surveys on Hood Canal IMW stream complex during the summer/fall season, based on habitat accessibility as a function of stream flow and habitat condition. Surveyor will work alone and walk sections of streams recording number of observed live and dead salmon, counting redds and collecting biological samples from carcasses.  Surveys will be conducted every day through durations of the project flows and weather permitting.

Employee must work respectfully and build trust with private land owners along survey streams to ensure project objectives are achieved.
Technician will be responsible for timely error checking, editing and storage of their data from spawning ground surveys.  Data must be clear, easy to read and ready for project biologist to use in annual project reporting.

Operation and maintenance of Big Beef Creek salmon weir.
Tasks include:
Check Big Beef Creek weir on a daily basis identifying, sampling and enumerating salmon before passing them upstream. Weir will be checked at a minimum of once a day during low water periods.  Weir will need cleaned, maintained and need to have fish removed on a continuous basis during periods of high flow, heavy debris and peak fish counts.  Weir may need to checked and maintained at night, on weekends and holidays.

Employee is responsible for entering data legibly and accurately on provided trap check forms.  They will also be responsible for assisting lead technician with entering data into a computer spreadsheet

Assist with sampling of terminal area tribal fisheries
Tasks include:
Technicians will work as a team to coordinate with tribal fishers to sample their catch for presence of coded wire tags (CWT’s). This work requires open and respectful communications with tribal fishers in order to sample catch in a convenient and timely fashion.  Technician is responsible for recording catch data and coded wire sampling data on provided sampling forms.

Working Conditions
Non-scheduled – 40 hours per week; 24/7. Overtime a Possibility.   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.  Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.  Occasional interaction with private landowners, interested public and tribal fisherman.

Sport Sampling-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.
All activities of this position may involve exposure to inclement weather

Stream Surveys-While conducting stream surveys employee may be exposed to insect bites/stings, thorny/spiny vegetation, and pollen. Surveyor must walk long distances, often on and over slippery, unstable rocks, large logjams and rotting woody debris, through/around deep pools, and through thick stands of vine maple, blackberry brambles, and other riparian vegetation. Frequent bending, kneeling, crawling, climbing and lifting. Working in a rural setting, sampler might occasionally encounter hostility or verbal threats from landowners and their pets, and possible wildlife encounters.

Adult Trapping-Trapping operations are dependent on fish migration and environmental conditions. The trap is operated 7-days/week throughout the season, requiring work on weekends and holidays. Furthermore, during peak migration or periods of high flow/heavy debris, the employee must be able to work long hours, as needed, in unpleasant conditions (weather, water, etc.) until all the fish are processed, to ensure that they are released in good condition.
The traps have moving parts, including winches for raising and lowering the traps. Familiarity with the equipment is essential because of the on-the-water location. Job requires heavy lifting by employees (50-100 lbs), including such items as large buckets of water for transporting fish, outboard motors, generators, and pumps. Safe use of power tools (chain saws, etc) is required to clear large woody debris from the traps and to make repairs.

To ensure that the fish are handled with minimal stress, fish are anesthetized with MS-222.
Because the trap sites are in a rural location, the traps and crew are occasionally visited by vandals and wildlife, which may damage trap or threaten the operators.
Weir operations may occur during night time periods and for extended periods of time during high flow, debris and fish periods.

Fishery Sampling- involves exposure to inclement weather, noise, fish blood, fish slime, insect bites, pollen and possible punctures from spines. Sampler often works out of a boat and is required to wear a life vest at all times. Sampler might occasionally encounter hostility or verbal threats.
Has to frequently bend, kneel, climb into boats, and lift fish. Subject to repetitive hand manipulations and long periods of sitting or standing.
Position is required to work weekends and flexible daytime hours to align shift with fishing effort.

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.

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 work experience in the following:
Previous experience working adult or juvenile salmon traps.
Previous experience walking spawning ground surveys.
Fisheries sampling experience
Experience accurately recording information
Experience with communicating with the public
Experience identifying fish
College courses in science or related field

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.