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 recruitment is for a 3.5 month non-permanent full-time Scientific Technician 2 position in the Fish Program, Fish Management – Region 6 – District 16.  The office location for this position will be in Port Angeles. The planned start date and end for this position is March 1, 2019 and June 15, 2019, respectively.

The Scientific Technician 2 assists the Region-6 District 16 area and district fish biologists by collecting data necessary for the management of the fish resources in the watersheds along the Strait of Juan de Fuca. This information is used to facilitate cooperative and effective collection and exchange fishery data with state, federal, and county agencies and tribes.  This data helps assess stock status, build fishery models, and to forecast steelhead returns, which is required for steelhead harvest management plans.  The ST2 helps staff in the collection of salmon and steelhead escapement data and may work with volunteers assisting in management activities.  This position is important for monitoring and evaluating recovery goals for ESA listed steelhead.

DutiesConducting Steelhead Spawner Surveys in District 16 of Region 6
The information collected is critical in developing harvest management plans with tribes and monitoring the status of other salmonid stocks along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and steelhead escapement in the Quillayute drainage.

Tasks include: 
Tasks include using established procedures to conduct salmonid redd count surveys within selected stream reaches. Spawning Ground Surveys (SGS) are conducted by hiking several miles of trails and stream during the day.  The streams surveyed are located in Clallam and West Jefferson counties near the towns of Sequim, Port Angeles, Clallam Bay, and Forks.  Fieldwork is often done in inclement weather, within varying stream flow conditions, and can be strenuous.  Work hours are flexible due to inclement weather and the length of daylight hours.  Walking along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, or maneuvering watercraft requires moderate strength and agility. Lifting equipment up to and or greater than 40 pounds may be required.

Fieldwork requires identifying, marking (GPS waypoints and flagging) and recording steelhead redds, counting live and dead fish, and sampling carcasses for scales, length, sex, and checking for marked (clipped) fins.  Informs supervisor and ST3 of any stream habitat issues (fish passage barriers, stream bank failures) and possible plant or animal invasive species observed during survey. Maintaining accurate field records for this position is very important. Field notes are entered into Excel spreadsheets or into i-Form Builder programmed into smartphones or iPads.  Reviews and summarizes daily field notes and checks for accuracy.

Technicians use a state vehicle to drive to stream survey locations via state, federal, and county roads, as well as travel along streams on private (logging) roads throughout the district.

Duty: Communicate with private landowners, other federal and state agencies, and various tribes to ask for permission to acquire gate keys and to access area for survey work.

Tasks include: 
Develop and maintain effective relationships with tribal biologists along the Strait and from other public and private agencies and organizations to promote cooperative work and exchange of information.  Tribes include the Makah, Lower Elwha Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Quileute.

Duty: Other duties as assigned.
Tasks include:
Assists WDFW staff with steelhead adult returns to the Snow Creek weir in Discovery Bay when needed. Also, may assist in changing panels, smolt screens and adult screens, during the trapping seasons. Keeps supervisor informed on a daily basis about status of work projects and emerging issues. Informs supervisor of potential habitat and poaching violations.

Working conditions

Typically, the work week is Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5p.m, but may have to work weekend days due to weather and river conditions.  Flexible hours require 24/7.  May meet private landowners, anglers, or public that may have negative opinions of government agencies.  Requires driving to steam locations via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel along streams on private (logging) roads throughout the district.

Primary work environment is outdoors, hiking trails, and wading streams.  Work may include hiking and driving during inclement weather conditions (rain, snow).  Walking along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, and crossing stream channels during varying stream flow conditions requires moderate strength and agility and can be strenuous.  Lifting equipment up to and/or greater than 40 pounds may be required.

Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g. desk, filling cabinet, computer, printer, telephone, fax machine, copy machine, etc.).  State vehicle, wading shoes, PFD, polaroid glasses, wading staff, waders, smartphone, GPS unit, sampling gear, notebook, and survey vests will be provided.

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).

QualificationsScientific Technician 2; Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1. Volunteer work or experience with state and federal agencies in technical field positions will be evaluated, and credit given, on a case-by-case basis.

OR

Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and four 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 resources, 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.

Familiarity with salmonid life histories and species identification is desired.

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.