• Boarding commercial fishing vessels while underway via research boat to fishing vessel transfers.
• Interacting professionally with commercial fishing crews and captains.
• Use paper and electronic sampling to accurately enumerate catch, and by-catch.
• Identifies salmon and other marine fish to species, records marked status of all released salmon.
• Observe and record seabird and marine mammal interaction/encounters with fishing gear.
• Collect biological samples including: tissue for GSI/DNA analysis, scales, sex/lengths, otoliths, and possible bird carcasses.
• Observers are also required to review and summarize data for mid-day and end of day reporting.

Participate in the Apple Cove test fishery

• Work with North West Indian Fisheries Commission and tribal staff members to collect biological and catch composition data during the test fishery. This may include: CWT wanding and snout collection, proper fish handling techniques, species ID, scale sampling, and collecting tissue for GSI/DNA analysis.

Participate in other sampling duties as required

• These duties may include: Charter boat observing, docksides sampling for other species, beach seine sampling, and potential marine laboratory work.

Other duties as assigned

• Work with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access) to assist in data archiving of previous years sampling efforts.
• Data entry and Quality Assessment/Quality Control (QA/QC) of datasheets.
• Assisting in vessel maintenance, working on other projects, assisting with office work, sampling in other fisheries with other groups.

Travel is required during sampling days. Observers must be willing to drive from their duty station to the launch location of the research boat. Overnight stays may be required.

• Education: High School Diploma or GED, including one year of science coursework.
• Professional Experience: Two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1 OR two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
• Note: 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.
• Note: A valid driver’s license may be required.

An ideal candidate should demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
Technical Competencies:

• Salmon identification expertise.
• Marine fish identification experience.
• Fisheries sampling experience.
• Small boat experience, not prone to motion or sea sickness.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Experience with communicating with the public.
• Memory, accuracy, attention to detail, reading and numerical comprehension, legible handwriting, verbal communication skills, ability to recall instructions, function independently, accept supervisory authority, adaptability, and flexibility.
• Rapid but accurate data recording, attention to detail, ability to keep up with fast paced work environment.
• Follow through to completion, maintain rapid pace while maintaining professional demeanor, have near/far vision, depth perception and color discrimination.
• A high level of comfort on boats and in rough seas.
• The ability to make swift but accurate decisions about safety.

• Intermittent, on-call 7 days per week during the open commercial fishery season.
• Work days are often more than 12 hrs.
• Hazards include: sampling on a working commercial fishing vessel, transferring safely from one boat to a fishing vessel while vessels are underway, exposure to rough sea states with rain/wind. Long hours require the observers to remain alert and adaptable to changing schedules. Inter acts with commercial fisherman including vessel captains.
• Research boats do not have heat; therefore, appropriate layers of warm clothing will be needed during colder months. Warmer months may require sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
• Research boats do not have bathroom facilities (heads), but a marine grade portable toilet will be available, or it is possible to dock and use shoreside facilities.

Travel Requirements:

• Observers will be required to travel to and from their duty station to the location of the research boat.
• Often, traveling occurs in the early morning and later night.
• Overnight stays are expected when sampling fishing fleets occur in certain areas.
• Mileage from duty station to the vessels along with hotel stays are reimbursable. May require use of personally-owned vehicle with mileage reimbursement. Per diem rates are given during travel status.
• Valid driver’s license may be required.

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 and competencies 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.