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. 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.  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) permanent full-time Scientific Technician 2 position in the Fish Program, Science Division, Region 2.  The duty station for this position located at the Methow Field Office, 20268 State Route 20, Twisp, WA.

This is a permanent, year-round position, which will serve as a lead technician performing a variety of tasks related to evaluation of hatchery programs and population monitoring activities in the Methow River basin.  Primary duties will be in support of an investigation into the relative reproductive success of hatchery and wild steelhead in the Twisp River basin.  These duties include sampling adult fishes at the Twisp River weir, sampling juvenile salmonids, conducting spawning ground surveys, and accurately entering the data from these activities into existing databases.  In addition, this position will assist in WDFW PIT-tag antenna array maintenance and data management within the Methow River basin.  Data collected will be disseminated locally and regionally to support the WDFW objective of using the best available science to support management decisions relating to salmon and steelhead in the Methow Basin.

Conduct spawning ground surveys
Tasks include:
Hiking up to 10 miles per day in rough terrain (e.g., rivers) and inclement weather while carrying sampling equipment (up to 50 lbs); identifying and enumerating steelhead and Chinook Salmon redds and documenting redds of other species of interest (e.g., cutthroat trout); measuring redd dimensions; collecting biological samples and data from carcasses; recording observations related to spawning; and navigating rivers in pontoon boats.  Position will also be responsible for performing routine maintenance on snowmobiles, ATVs, and pontoon boats.

Sample adult steelhead and other fishes at the Twisp River weir
Tasks include:
Collecting and recording biological data from adult fishes (i.e., species, scale samples, length, sex, tissue samples, PIT tags, and hatchery marks); safe handling and tagging of adult and juvenile fishes; removing snouts and trimmed fillets from surplus fish and carcasses for laboratory analysis; and ensures that sampling gear is available, well organized, and in working order.

Maintain remote PIT-tag antenna arrays
Tasks include:
Assist in construction, deployment, maintenance, and repair of remote PIT tag antenna arrays throughout the Methow River basin, including working with others to ensure timely downloads of data from arrays and upload of data into P3 and PTAGIS.

Data management
Tasks include:
Entering data into Microsoft ACCESS and EXCEL databases, maintaining and updating databases, and performing quality assurance/quality control procedures to ensure that data are accurately entered and recorded.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Completes various tasks as needed to meet objectives of research and monitoring/evaluation activities such as assisting with operation and maintenance of rotary screw traps, spawning of hatchery broodstock, and sampling fish in a hatchery setting.

Working Conditions
The normal work hours will be Monday through Friday, 08:00­–16:30.  However, during peak work periods, irregular work hours with variable workdays (including weekends) will be required.  Most (>80%) of the work for this position will occur outdoors in sometimes inclement weather (i.e., extreme cold, rain, snow, and extreme heat), swift rivers, and rough, slippery terrain.  Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, trainings, and to exchange supplies or samples.  Must be able to work effectively with employees of other agencies and to remain composed during interactions with the general public, including those who may disagree with WDFW policies and objectives.

Spawning ground surveys will require hiking in rivers up to 10 miles per day in remote locations.  Navigation of class III whitewater in pontoon boats will also be required.  Snowmobile travel will be necessary to reach some remote locations in the winter and spring.  Juvenile sampling and antenna maintenance will occasionally require snorkeling.  Lifting and carrying buckets full of water and juvenile fish over rough, slippery terrain will also be required.  Sharp objects (e.g., PIT tag needles) and chemicals (e.g., MS-222) will be used during fish sampling. The remainder of the work will occur in an office setting and will include long hours at a computer.

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.

Ability to:  hike long distances (up to 10 miles/day) while carrying heavy sampling equipment (up to 50 lbs) in rough, slippery terrain; navigate rivers in pontoon boats; lead crews of technicians ensuring adherence to scientific protocols and safety requirements, while maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers

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 the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.  

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.