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 four (4), 1.5-month, non-permanent full-time Scientific Technician 3 positions in the Fish Program, Fish Management, Puget Sound Sampling Unit. The duty station is the Edmonds Field Office, 170 W Dayton, Ste. 103B, Edmonds, WA 98020. The anticipated duration for all positions is from July 16, 2019 through August 31, 2019.

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 29, 2019. The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the job at any time. It’s to your advantage to apply quickly.

These positions pilot a WDFW research vessel to conduct test fishing in mark-selective fisheries to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal & sublegal proportions) and hatchery/natural origin fractions (mark-status proportions). Proper implementation of this region’s fisheries sampling program provides the information necessary to estimate catch and effort statistics for commercial and recreational fisheries management, assessment of biological information by stock, and subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and court-mandated catch allocations. The responsibilities of this position include advanced technical scientific duties, independently executing established and new sampling procedures, and are performed under very limited supervision.

Sample catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal & sublegal proportions) and hatchery/natural-origin fractions (mark-status proportions).  Assess overall health rating to each fish prior to release to aid in our attempts to look at survival of released fish.  Summarize the amount of time spent on fishing each method.  Record data using electronic data forms.  Ensure data is accurately recorded, summarized and uploaded to headquarters’ database and regional supervisor.
Pilot WDFW research vessels to conduct angler effort surveys.
Tasks include:
Intercept recreational and charter fishing vessels at sea (stationary and trolling) to conduct angler effort interviews.  Operate outboard and inboard/outboard boats, including trailering, coming alongside other boats in motion, launching and docking, in all types of weather conditions.  Record returning ramp location, number of anglers, and target species for each boat intercepted.  Perform minor routine maintenance on the boat, motor, trailer, and test fishing equipment.  Operate GPS, depth finder, AIS, VHF, electronic data collection device.  Ensure safety of self and other samplers while at sea.  Follows all rules, safety procedures, and agency policies on operation of vessels at sea

Participates in special studies
Tasks include:
Collects additional catch or biological information for salmon, marine fish, or shellfish.  Participates in aerial and boat-based effort surveys for selective fisheries.  Samples high effort recreational fisheries and Terminal Area Fisheries (TAF) to provide data for in-season catch and effort estimates.  These studies are intensive and require additional people at the sampling sites and on the water.

Lead Position Non-Perm Scientific Technicians
Tasks include:
May make decisions on sampling route, test fishing techniques and safety concerns that come up when the permanent supervisor is not available to consult with.

Other duties as assigned.
May include reviewing data, maintaining equipment, and other tasks as needed.

Working Conditions
These positions are 24/7 (non-scheduled); 8-10 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. 40 hours per week; weekend and evening work required.   The work is done both inside/outside, during inclement weather, rough water, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, lifting (40 lb. max), working and standing in a confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, rain gear, equipment holsters, personal floatation devices (PFD), agency identifying clothing, biting and stinging insects, and use of knives.

Customer Interaction
Interacts with the general public during data collection and provides basic information regarding fish resources as well as agency programs and activities.  Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.  Includes some contact with those 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).

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 or environmental science classes.  

Preferred work experience
Experience fishing in marine waters from a boat.
Able to ID all salmon species, and common marine fish species.
Familiar with salmon, marine fish, and shellfish life histories and sport fishing regulations.
Motorboat Operator’s Certification Course (MOCC) boat safety class completion or equivalent.
Safe operation of vessel at times in adverse conditions in the Puget Sound and proficient use of typical marine electronics (e.g. GPS, depth finder, radar, radio).
Excellent attention to detail and good communication skills.
The use of sound judgement where safety of you and co-workers are concerned

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.