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

This is a non-permanent Scientific Technician 2 position in the Fish Program, Wild Salmon Production Evaluation Unit. The duty station is Cedar River Park Drive, Renton, WA. Position duration: February 1 – June 30, 2019.

This position involves working as part of field team operating two rotary screw traps in the Lake Washington drainage on the Cedar River (Renton WA), and Bear Creek (Redmond WA) from February 1- June 30, 2019. The juvenile salmon technician helps trap, capture, identify, and enumerate juvenile salmonids migrating from these streams. This data is used to estimate total system juvenile production for wild Chinook, coho, and sockeye salmon. This position also serves as the PIT-tagging technician for studies on juvenile Chinook migration through Lake Washington. The position assists in the curation of biological data for the screw trapping projects and the PIT-tagging project. Occasionally, this position will assist local watershed and school groups that request to visit the trap and learn about juvenile salmon.

Questions regarding the position and job responsibilities should be directed to the hiring supervisors: Peter Lisi, peter.lisi@dfw.wa.gov and/or Pete Topping, peter.topping@dfw.wa.gov 

DutiesCoordinates PIT-tagging project on juvenile salmon.

• Conducts and coordinates PIT-tagging operations for juvenile Chinook on Cedar River, Bear Creek and the Issaquah hatchery.
• Manages and tracks PIT-tag data produced by tagging studies.
• Coordinates with Federal, local, and private agencies regarding tagging projects.    Maintains tags, computer, gear, and equipment for tagging studies

Operates juvenile salmon screw trapping projects on Lake Washington tributaries to determine abundance, migration timing, and survival of juvenile salmonids.

• Participates in the continuous field operation of screw traps.
• Identify juvenile salmonids to species and enumerate by age and origin.  Externally mark a portion of the catch for release above the trapping location to estimate trapping efficiency.
• Collect biological data and samples from a portion of the catch of each species (length and scales, genetic samples)
• Maintain gear, equipment and work sites to promote project efficiency and provide a professional appearance.
• Responds to trap stoppages during on-call shifts.

Data management

• Input, error check, analyze data and prepare summaries and spread sheets and participates in the development of in season updates and technical reports.
• Check and respond to state agency email daily.

Other duties as assigned

•      Hosting visitors to the trap sites, providing ecological information about salmon.

Working Conditions
Roughly 80% of work will be conducted in the field. This is a full time temporary position. Work hours are M-F 40 hours/week, but the position is expected to be on-call for trap alarms and work rotating shifts to cover operation of traps that fish 24/7.  This position may work with Federal (NOAA, Army Corps of Engineers) and local agencies (City of Seattle, King County, City of Renton and Muckleshoot tribal employees), fishermen and the general public such as middle school students and local watershed groups.

Potentially dangerous conditions may exist including work in high and swift water. Trapping activities involve exposure to inclement weather conditions and prolonged exposure of hands and fingers to cold air and water.  Trap operation requires the ability to handle and lift buckets of water of excess of 40 lbs over uneven ground.  Incumbent will travel daily to trap sites. Occasional travel to WDFW in Mill Creek WA, headquarters in Olympia, and hatcheries in Issaquah and Landsburg.  Flexible work schedules are required to address changing conditions, related to weather, stream flow, and fish numbers.

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).
QualificationsGraduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.  OR
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.

Preferred candidate will have work experience in the following areas:

•  Experience PIT-tagging juvenile salmonids and working with PIT-tag data
• Knowledge of safe live fish handling techniques.
• Familiarity with ecology of juvenile salmonids and other freshwater fishes.
• Experience collecting and managing biological data in electronic databases
• Developed commuication skills, comforable speaking with members of the public.
• Experience working in research teams.

Supplemental InformationTo 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.  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.