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 posting will be used to fill multiple positions. It will remain open until all positions are filled. The initial review of applications will begin on May 23, 2019. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the job at any time. It’s to your advantage to apply quickly.

This recruitment is for six (6), 1-month, non-permanent full-time Scientific Technician 2 positions in the Fish Program, Fish Management, Puget Sound Sampling Unit. Two positions will have a duty station at the Cornet Bay Boat Ramp (W Cornet Bay Rd, Oak Harbor, WA 98277), two positions will have a duty station at the Port of Friday Harbor (204 Front Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250), and two positions will have a duty station at the Washington Park Boat Ramp (6300 Sunset Ave, Anacortes, WA 98221). The anticipated duration for all positions is from June 24, 2019 through July 31, 2019. 

These positions collect and summarize recreational salmon, marine fish, and shellfish catch and biological data to meet fisheries sampling goals.  The employee obtains stock composition (CWT and DNA), age structure (scales), length information for legal & sublegal proportions, and hatchery/natural-origin proportions (clipped/un-clipped status). The sampling goals for these fisheries are set by biometricians.  Tribal and WDFW biologists use these data to determine the status of the resource and to manage fisheries resources. The location of the sampling work is at various docks and boat ramps in northern Puget Sound during mark-selective salmon and marine fish fisheries in Marine Areas 6, 7, and 8-1.

DutiesSamples recreational fisheries for salmon, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine catch per unit of effort and species composition in order to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and marine fish.  Collects salmon snouts for coded-wire tags (CWT) and as well as other biological data.
Tasks include:
Properly implements interview procedures and sampling protocols, and accurately records data into appropriate data forms.  Observes, counts, and accurately identifies all salmon and marine fish species.  Samples all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic CWT detection devices (wand or tunnel detectors).  Classifies, sorts, and enumerates marked tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.  Retrieves snouts with CWTs from Chinook and Coho to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.  Samples catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal & sublegal proportions), and hatchery/wild fractions (mark-status proportions).

Data review & summary, public relations, maintenance duties, other duties as assigned .
Tasks include:
Conducts error checks of sampling data. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public. Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.  Provides written reports on violations and may be called to give testimony informally or in court. May be responsible for operation and maintenance of an agency vehicle. Other tasks as needed.

Working Conditions
24/7 non-scheduled, 40 hours per week, weekend and evening work required, as well as non-consecutive days off. Typically 8 to 10 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The work is primarily conducted in the field.  Work may include adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, rain gear, equipment holsters, personal flotation device (PFD), agency identifying clothing, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.

Customer Interaction
Interacts with the general public during data collection and provides basic information regarding fisheries resources as well as agency programs and activities.  Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.  Includes contact with some individuals who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated.  Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.

Union
This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP).

QualificationsPreferred/Desired Qualifications:
Graduation 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 work experience
Able to ID all salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species. Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.  Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.

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:

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.