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

To be considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by 5 p.m. Sunday, March 11, 2018.  However, this position will remain open until filled, and applications will be accepted after that date.

This recruitment is to fill up to ten (10) temporary on-call positions located within the Fish Management Program, Fish Division, stationed at either Westport or Forks, Washington.  Anticipated start dates:  On call (weather and vessel availability dependent): March 15 –  June 30, 2018 (anticipate approximately 12 days out of the Westport duty station and 9 days out of the Forks duty station.)

The WDFW will be conducting rod and reel surveys off the Washington coast in the spring of 2018.  These surveys will provide biological and population distribution information about several nearshore rockfish species that inhabit Washington’s coastal waters. This effort will contribute to the assessment of these fish populations, which is needed to ensure healthy and sustainable fisheries. In order to accomplish this goal, the WDFW is seeking individual anglers to catch and release nearshore groundfish species with rod and reel gear aboard WDFW chartered fishing vessels.

Measure time fished, record data
The angler record the time spent fishing.

Assist biologists as needed

Working conditions
All trips will be on the open ocean (on the outer coast) and anglers will have to fish in poor weather conditions including heavy rain, wind and wave action and on slippery or uneven decks. Charter days will be generally 10 hours long, but may exceed or be less than 10 hours on a given day.  On call (weather and vessel availability dependent): March 15 –  June 30, 2018 (anticipate approximately 12 days out of the Westport duty station and 9 days out of the Forks duty station.)

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.

Required Experience:
Extensive time/experience on open, exposed ocean waters
Advanced marine water angling (i.e. rod and reel gear) skills
Extensive experience fishing for bottomfish from a vessel
Must be physically capable of climbing ladders, climbing on-board a vessel, walking and balancing on docks and vessels that are wet/slippery/steep/moving, working in inclement weather, and hearing and communicating over loud motors and other vessel equipment.
Possess average fine motor skills
Ability to work at sea and not have performance compromised by seasickness

Three references 

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.