Primary duties include:
Field survey activities:

• Assist in a field crew of 1 to 3 technicians surveying off-channel wetlands for fish and amphibians
• In absence of regular field crew leader, monitor a crew of 1 to 4 people.
• Hikes off-trail sometimes through dense vegetation up and down steep slopes and through harvested areas or wetlands
• Drive logging roads and navigate complex undeveloped road networks.
• Collect, classify, and record data in the field using tablet computer, GPS, digital cameras and paper collaboratively with others.
• Using logic, knowledge of the project area, and established quality control methods, evaluate data for completeness, reasonableness, reliability, accuracy, consistency, and comparability with other data.
• Works respectively with private landowners while surveying their property
• Assist with training of field crews on survey protocols and identification of fish and amphibians
• Vehicle and Equipment maintenance

Office Tasks:

• Offload field data collection equipment
• Limited data entry from paper forms and field notes.
• Data QA/QC using Excel or other database systems
• Assist with data organizing and synthesizing

Education: Graduation from high school or a GED, including one year of high school science.
Professional*: Two years of experience as either a Scientific Technician 1 or laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist. 
Licenses: Valid Washington State or other state Driver’s License
Competencies: Knowledge, experience, and/or fluency with: principles and procedures of biological research; standard laboratory and field methods; fish, wildlife, and habitat ecology.
Ability to: Must use critical thinking to collect, record, compile, and summarize data meticulously; conduct field surveys visually and audibly identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features; think and act in a safe manner; work independently and as part of a team; accept supervision and supervise; follow prescribed protocols and procedures; willingness and ability to perform routine and repetitive work in a punctual and dependable manner; follow oral and written direction; operate field equipment (e.g. GPS, digital camera, iPad’s, nets, and inflatable watercraft) to collect data; develop and maintain positive, productive, respectful working relationships with coworkers and collaborators and foster this behavior within the crew through behavior, action, and direction; demonstrate competence and confidence to make decisions for a team in the field in the absence of consensus or clarity; perform varied outdoor work in inclement weather; tolerance for difficult field conditions.
Knowledge of: Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows.
 
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
Two years of professional experience conducting field work on an aquatics field crew, preferably in the Pacific Northwest; familiarity with lentic habitats associated with stream systems especially those in alluvial floodplains; familiarity with identification of amphibians and fish (both native and exotic);  knowledge of principles and procedures of biological research; ability to safely and humanely capture fish and herpetofauna using varied nets, seines, minnow traps and electrofishers under standard protocols; familiarity with technology including both Windows and iOS handhelds/apps; ability to encourage and maintain team cohesiveness; ability to act safely and decisively in the field; ability to adapt to challenges in order to complete project objectives.  Varied natural history experience including animals and plants is beneficial for these positons and applicants are encouraged to describe experience and how it applies to these positions.
 
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).
*College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes

Working Conditions
This position is rewarding but can be physically and psychologically demanding. The incumbent will perform a variety of outdoor work in field conditions which at times may include inclement weather; dense understory vegetation, muddy wetlands, slippery river rocks, steep slopes, clear cuts, heat, cold and biting insects. Field work occurs in a variety of locations, including managed timberlands, river floodplains with dense understory, agricultural settings, urban/suburban storm water areas and main-stem rivers. Field work requires that sometime be spent on hands and knees, bending, walking and crawling through these and other similarly challenging environments carrying and deploying field equipment of up to 40 lbs. The incumbent must be comfortable navigating and operating safely throughout such landscapes on foot to reach survey locations. A portion of time will be spent in an office environment and the incumbent must be able to remain focused and courteous.
 
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.

How to Apply:
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. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or 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.
 
Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.
 
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.