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

WDFW is recruiting for seven (7) On-Call, Fishery Observers, a 5.5-month non-permanent Scientific Technician 2 position for the Fish Management Program. The incumbent’s duty station will either be their home address or the WDFW’s headquarter location in Olympia, WA.

About the Position: Our Fishery Observers are WDFW’s eyes and ears on the Puget Sound. These positions are with the Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Monitoring Program during the Sockeye, Chinook and Chum fisheries. The onboard observer sampling program fulfills agency commitments made during the 2019 North of Falcon/Pacific Fisheries Management Council proceedings. Data collected by Observers are essential in the estimation of by-catch and impacts to ESA listed Chinook, Steelhead, and Marbled Murrelets during the fisheries. Data collected also provides agency fishery managers and co-managers with valuable in-season management information.

Observers work closely with research vessel operators, biologists and fishery managers in the Fish Management Unit. Fishery observers will also work closely with commercial fishing vessel crews while on board purse seine and gillnet fishing vessels. Observers conduct a variety of onboard sampling, sample processing, and data recording/entry. Fisheries observers report directly to the Puget Sound Commercial Salmon Monitoring Biologist.

DutiesOnboard fish sampling and data collection

• Board commercial fishing vessels while underway via vessel to vessel transfers.
• Interact professionally with commercial fishing crews and captains.
• Use paper and electronic sampling to accurately collect catch, by-catch, and vessel effort data.
• Identify salmon and other marine fish to species, records marked status of all released salmon.
• Collect biological samples including: tissue for GSI/DNA analysis, scales, sex/lengths, otoliths, and possible bird carcasses.
• Observe and record seabird and marine mammal interaction/encounters with fishing gear.
• 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 Northwest 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, dockside/creel sampling for other species, beach seine sampling, and marine laboratory work.

Other duties as assigned

• Participate as Research Vessel deck crew: handling lines, assisting in vessel maintenance, loading gear, assisting in launch/retrieval, and following vessel operators instructions.
• 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 with office work.

Working Time and Conditions:

• 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 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 may 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 may not have bathroom facilities (heads), 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. Traveling often occurs in the early morning and late night hours.
• 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.

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.

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. QualificationsRequired Qualifications

• 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/is highly desired.

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:

• High level of emotional intelligence and integrity.
• Experience communicating with the public: professional demeanor and composure at all times.
• Ability to maintain situational awareness and focus in a fast paced work environment
• Memory, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Ability to recall instructions functioning independently, and as a crew member
• A high level of comfort on boats and in rough seas.
• The ability to make swift but accurate decisions about safety.

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 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.