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

These positions are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP), which contains a “union security” provision. This means that, as a condition of employment, you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representation or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Program is recruiting to fill a variety of non-permanent Scientific Technician 2 positions throughout Region 5. This posting will be used to fill up to twenty-four (24) non-permanent positions stationed out of the Ridgefield and Kelso field offices and Fallert Creek Hatchery.  Some positions may be shortened or extended due to workload needs. The hours and days of these positions are variable and may include full-time, part-time, and on-call schedules.

These positions are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP), which contains a “union security” provision. This means that, as a condition of employment, you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representation or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.

• Conducting adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries; identifying and enumerating adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds; using GPS devices to mark redd locations;
• Capturing, identifying, enumerating, handling, and tagging and/or marking salmonids (juveniles and adults) for mark/recapture programs and distribution monitoring;
• Assisting with the installation, maintenance, operation and removal of monitoring structures and devices for adult and juvenile salmonid monitoring such as traps and weirs;
• Interviewing sport anglers and recording catch by species, effort and biological data and collecting biological samples from fish such as salmon, trout, and sturgeon;

• Monitoring and observation of commercial fisheries;
• Travelling to fish buying locations and tribal in-lieu sites to collect biological samples from commercial catch; using established protocols to detect and collect coded wire tags (CWT) and passive integrated transponders (PIT), collecting DNA for Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) and making Visual Stock Identification (VSI) calls;
• Entering data into dataloggers and PDAs;
• Conducting snorkel surveys in streams and rivers;
• Collecting broodstock for established enhancement and hatchery programs;
• Sampling and spawning of fish at hatcheries;
• Operating motorized and/or non-motorized vessels for monitoring and conducting surveys;
• Conducting larval tows using plankton nets to collect eulachon and other fish species larvae;
• Operating set-lines for sturgeon population estimates;
• Identifying and enumerating larval, juvenile and adult stage eulachon and sturgeon;
• Assisting with trout creel surveys and lake plants;
• Monitoring of marine mammals;
• Working stand-by at field locations.

• Entail working nights and/or weekends, holidays and overtime. Additionally, these positions are located in a variety of locations throughout the region, (Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Wahkiakum counties) encompassing a variety of environmental factors.
• Work may be in inclement weather conditions including snow, rain, wind, and direct sun. Some positions may require travel, possibly for multiple days.
• While working outdoors, candidates may be exposed to extreme temperatures, with the possibility of daytime highs greater than 100°F and daytime lows less than 30°F, with wind speeds of greater than 25 mph.  Duties are often conducted on wet slippery surfaces.
• Require the ability to:
  • Lift, either with or without assistance, large, live and dead fish, typically up to 30 lbs and rarely over 100 lbs.
  • Repetitively carry loads up to 70 pounds for short distances over rough terrain.
  • Walk up to fifteen miles per day over rough terrain under adverse weather conditions.
  • Climb in and out of motorized and non-motorized boats.
• Require driving long distances in state-owned vehicles or personally-owned vehicles with mileage reimbursement.
• Require swimming/snorkeling in rivers and streams
• Operating motorized and/or non-motorized boats on lakes and rivers in up to Class III waters
• Necessitate working alone in isolated areas.
• Willing to sample spawned out salmon carcasses that can contain very strong odors.
• Require being on various types of vessels for long periods of time in inclement weather.
• Require interacting with other departmental personnel, the public, personnel from other agencies, and local landowners in a professional manner.
• Candidates must have the ability to accurately record repetitive data under adverse environmental conditions for long periods of time.

Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two years of laboratory or 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 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.

Valid Washington State, or other state, driver’s license may be required.

Preferred Experience:

• Ability to identify salmonids and other fish species in larval, juvenile and/or adult life stages.
• Ability to identify salmonid redds.
• Knowledge of resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs.
• Knowledge of fish marking and tagging protocols.
• Knowledge of fishery monitoring, observing and sampling.
• Knowledge of commercial fishing gear types and methods.
• Ability to row non-motorized oar-framed boats such as drift boats and catarafts in white water conditions in Class 1 through 3 rapids.
• Knowledge of the basic operations of motorized vessels
• Ability to do basic functions in MS Excel and Access.
• Knowledge in how to operate CWT and PIT tag detectors.
• Ability to operate handheld GPS and data logger devices.
• Ability to work alone in remote locations.
• Ability to work well with others in both a field and office setting.

• Carefully review your application before submitting.
• The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in Careers.wa.gov and the supplemental questionnaire.
• A resume will not substitute for completing the “work experience” section of the application.
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire regarding work experience must be reflected in the “work experience” section of the application.
• Responses not supported in the work experience and/or education section of the application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in these positions.
• All information may be verified and documentation may be required.

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

Available Positions:
Duty station: Ridgefield, WA
Please note there is no housing available for any of these positions

2 positions ~3 month duration- 8/1/18-10/31/18
1 position ~ 3 month duration- 9/4/18-11/30/18
Fall Chinook VSP Monitoring – Washougal Weir Operations.
Operate and maintain a resistance board weir on the Washougal River.  Handle and sort live adult ESA-listed salmonids by species, gender, and mark.  Apply Floy tags and opercula marks.  Collect biological data (fork length, gender, mark) and samples (scales and DNA).  Collect coded wire tags from surplus Chinook.  Daily set-up, operation, and tear down of a Whooshh fish transport system.  Use Toughpad computers with Microsoft Access designed forms to record data in the field.

1 position ~3 month duration- 9/4/18-11/30/18
Fall Chinook VSP Monitoring – Stream Surveys.
Conduct weekly spawning ground surveys by foot and pontoon raft on Washougal, EF Lewis, Kalama, and White Salmon rivers.  Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds; use handheld GPS devices to mark redd locations. Collect biological data and samples from carcasses.  Apply and/or recover external tags/marks from carcasses.

2 positions ~4 month duration- 9/4/18-12/31/18
Fall Chinook VSP Monitoring – Stream Surveys – 9/4/18-10/31/18
Chum BiOp Project – Mainstem Columbia River and upper Tributaries – 11/1/18-12/31/18
Conduct weekly spawning ground surveys by foot and pontoon raft on Mill, Abernathy, and Germany creeks and Coweeman River.  Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds; use handheld GPS devices to mark redd locations. Collect biological data and samples from both live and dead adult salmonids.  Apply and/or recover external tags/marks from carcasses.  Assist with seining to collect chum salmon broodstock for supplementation programs.  Collect data needed to estimate adult spawner abundance via live and carcass mark/recapture tagging, weirs and traps, and stream surveys.  Assist with spawning activities at hatchery facilities.

4-6 positions ~ 2.75 month duration-on call/intermittent approximately 8/8/18- 10/31/18
Fall Fisheries Monitoring and Pound Net Monitoring. ~30-40 hrs/Wk 8/8/18-9/30/18
Sampling and Coho Tangle Net Observations. ~0-20 hrs/Wk 10/1/18-10/31/18
Conduct observations and monitoring of the commercial seine and tangle net fisheries, and/or pound net operation in the lower Columbia River.  Observers record catch and release information on Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead as well as other by-catch.  Additionally, duties may include assisting with the commercial sampling process collecting coded wire tags, biological data and genetic samples for Treaty and non-Treaty commercial fisheries.

1 position ~11.5 month duration- approximately 8/13/18-7/31/19
Fall Fisheries Monitoring and Pound Net Monitoring. ~30-40 hrs/Wk 8/8/18-9/30/18
Sampling and Coho Tangle Net Observations. ~0-20 hrs/Wk 10/1/18-10/31/18
Conduct on-board observations and monitoring of the commercial gillnet, seine and tangle net fisheries, and/or pound net operation in the lower Columbia River.  Observers record catch and release information on Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead as well as other by-catch.  Additionally, duties may include assisting with the commercial sampling process collecting coded wire tags, biological data and genetic samples for Treaty and non-Treaty commercial fisheries.

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) – Angler Creel Surveys
11/1/18 – 3/15/19
Potential Locations – East Fork Lewis, Salmon CR, Mill/Abernathy/Germany, Elochoman/Skamokawa, and Grays River basins.  Primary duties include conducting sport creel surveys during salmon and steelhead fisheries using iPads for electronic data collection to document the amount of angling effort, fish harvested, incidental harvest, and potential quantity of wild fish released and any associated mortality in southwest Washington sport tributary fisheries as well as conducting 2-6 mile rafting and walking surveys for angler participation in more remote sections of river.  Work schedule includes all weekends with highly variable and early morning start times.

Spring Fisheries Monitoring and Sampling. On call/intermittent. ~0-20 hrs/Wk 3/16/18-7/15/19
Conduct on-board observations and monitoring of the commercial and test tangle-
net fisheries in the lower Columbia River.  Observers record catch and release information on Chinook and steelhead as well as other by-catch.  Collect coded wire tags, biological data and genetic samples from the test fishery catch.  In addition, duties may include assisting with various projects within Region 5 fish program on an as-needed basis

1 position ~ 4.5 month duration- approximately 8/13/18 -12/31/18
Fall Fisheries Monitoring and Pound Net Monitoring. ~30-40 hrs/Wk 8/8/18-9/30/18
Sampling and Coho Tangle Net Observations. ~0-20 hrs/Wk 10/1/18-10/31/18
Conduct on-board observations and monitoring of the commercial gillnet, seine and tangle net fisheries, and/or pound net operation in the lower Columbia River.  Observers record catch and release information on Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead as well as other by-catch.  Additionally, duties may include assisting with the commercial sampling process collecting coded wire tags, biological data and genetic samples for Treaty and non-Treaty commercial fisheries.

Lower Lewis River Spawning Ground Surveys.  ~0-20 hrs/Wk 11/1/18-12/31/18
Conduct spawning ground surveys on the North Fork Lewis River below Merwin Dam.  Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds.  Assist with carcass tagging and collect biological data and samples from carcasses.  Operate a jet boat.

1 position ~5 month duration – approximately 9/4/18-1/31/19
Cedar Creek Spawning Ground Surveys.
Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys.  Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds; using GPS devices to mark redd locations. Collect biological data and samples from carcasses.

Duty Station: Fallert Creek Hatchery/Kelso/Ridgefield, WA
Two of the following positions have multiple duty stations.
Please note there is no housing available for any of these positions

3 positions ~12 month duration – approximately 7/16/18-7/15/19
Modrow Weir Operations.  7/16/18-10/31/18, Duty Stations: 2 positions Fallert Creek, 1 Ridgefield
Assist with weir cleaning, maintenance and removal.  Handle and sort live ESA-listed salmonids by species, gender, and fin mark.  Apply an external mark (operculum mark) to unclipped Chinook for the mark recapture study.  Use a Toughpad computer with Microsoft Access designed forms to enter data collected from salmonids in real-time at the weir and hatcheries.  Collect coded wire tags, biological and genetic samples from fish carcasses at the weir, Kalama Falls and Fallert Creek hatcheries.

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) – Angler Creel Surveys
11/1/18 – 3/15/19 Duty Stations: 2 positions Kelso, 1 Ridgefield
Potential Locations – East Fork Lewis, Salmon CR, Mill/Abernathy/Germany, Elochoman/Skamokawa, and Grays River basins.  Primary duties include conducting sport creel surveys during salmon and steelhead fisheries using iPads for electronic data collection to document the amount of angling effort, fish harvested, incidental harvest, and potential quantity of wild fish released and any associated mortality in southwest Washington sport tributary fisheries as well as conducting 2-6 mile rafting and walking surveys for angler participation in more remote sections of river.  Work schedule includes all weekends with highly variable and early morning start times.

Spring Fisheries Monitoring and Sampling.  On call/intermittent ~0-20 hrs/Wk 3/16/18-
7/15/19 Duty Station: Ridgefield
Conduct on-board observations and monitoring of the commercial and test tangle-net fisheries in the lower Columbia River.  Observers record catch and release information on Chinook and steelhead as well as other by-catch.  Collect coded wire tags, biological data and genetic samples from the test fishery catch.  In addition, duties may include assisting with various projects within Region 5 fish program on an as-needed basis.

Duty Station: Kelso, WA
Please note there is no housing available for any of these positions

1 position ~ 4 month duration – approximately 7/16/18 – 11/15/18
Coweeman Weir Operations. 
Construct, install, operate and remove a floating panel weir and adult salmon trap box.  Inspect, clean and maintain weir and trap structure to fish effectively.  Use a long beach seine as needed to collect adults that hold below the weir without self-recruiting into the trap.  Collect biological data and samples (fork length, gender, mark, scales, DNA) from captured live salmon and steelhead, and apply Floy tags and operculum punches to unclipped Chinook.  Use toughpad computer with Microsoft Access designed forms to enter data collected from adult salmonids in real-time at the weir site.

1 position ~ 12 month duration – approximately 7/16/18-7/15/19 (Note – this position changes duty stations after 3/15/18)
Coweeman Weir Operations.  7/16/18 – 11/15/18
Construct, install, operate and remove a floating panel weir and adult salmon trap box.  Inspect, clean and maintain weir and trap structure to fish effectively.  Use a long beach seine as needed to collect adults that hold below the weir without self-recruiting into the trap.  Collect biological data and samples (fork length, gender, mark, scales, DNA) from captured live salmon and steelhead, and apply Floy tags and operculum punches to unclipped Chinook.  Use toughpad computer with Microsoft Access designed forms to enter data collected from adult salmonids in real-time at the weir site.

Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement (CRSSE) – Angler Creel Surveys
11/1/18 – 3/15/19
Potential Locations – East Fork Lewis, Salmon CR, Mill/Abernathy/Germany, Elochoman/Skamokawa, and Grays River basins.  Primary duties include conducting sport creel surveys during salmon and steelhead fisheries using iPads for electronic data collection to document the amount of angling effort, fish harvested, incidental harvest, and potential quantity of wild fish released and any associated mortality in southwest Washington sport tributary fisheries as well as conducting 2-6 mile rafting and walking surveys for angler participation in more remote sections of river.  Work schedule includes all weekends with highly variable and early morning start times.

Spring Fisheries Monitoring and Sampling.  On call/intermittent ~0-20 hrs/Wk 3/16/18-7/15/19 Duty Station: Ridgefield.
Conduct on-board observations and monitoring of the commercial and test tangle-net fisheries in the lower Columbia River.  Observers record catch and release information on Chinook and steelhead as well as other by-catch.  Collect coded wire tags, biological data and genetic samples from the test fishery catch.  In addition, duties may include assisting with various projects within Region 5 fish program on an as-needed basis.