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. 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.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

This recruitment is to fill one (1) 9-month Non-permanent Scientific Technician 2 in the Fish Program, Fish Science Division. The duty station is the Bingham Creek Hatchery located at W3914 Fish Hatchery Road, Elma, WA.  98541.

This position contributes directly to this goal by conducting monitoring and research which informs freshwater production, marine survival, and run size of wild salmon and steelhead.
This technician position serves as a field data collector in the Fish Ecology and Life Cycle Monitoring Unit in the Fish Science Division. This position contributes to monitoring and research activities at the Bingham Creek life cycle monitoring station and several other projects within the Chehalis River Basin. The incumbent collects high quality field data, enters data into project databases, learns and implements multiple trapping protocols, and maintains project equipment. Information provided by this position informs run size forecasts for the Washington coastal systems and status, trends, and restoration monitoring in the Chehalis River.

Operate juvenile and adult salmon and steelhead traps and manage data
Tasks include:

• Assists with the installation/removal, operation and maintenance of fish traps.
• Check traps on a daily basis, enumerating and sub-sampling salmonid catch for size (fork length).
• Trap, handle and enumerate live adult salmonids; collect relevant environmental & biological information on species composition, sex, age, size, mark status, tag presence and condition.
• Collect and record related biological and environmental data as assigned by supervisor.
• Use various marking techniques including coded wire tags (CWTs), PIT tags, VIE, bismark brown, and fin clipping
• Perform recapture efforts by marking and releasing fish upstream of traps.
• Enter and error check catch data into agency program computer database.
• Maintain trap integrity during high flow events and make repairs if damage occurs due to weather, flows, debris or vandalism.
• Organize and maintain all trap related gear, sampling equipment and data forms.

Other Duties as assigned
Tasks include: 
Technicians may be asked to assist on occasion with other fish monitoring projects.

Working Conditions
The traps are operated 7 days/week, 24hr/day throughout the season, requiring work on weekends and holidays.  Trapping operations are dependent on fish migration and environmental conditions. Furthermore, during peak migration or periods of high flow/heavy debris, the employees must be able to work long hours, as needed, until all the fish are processed, to ensure that they are released in good condition. Work sites are exposed, meaning work may be conducted in rain, wind and cold conditions, during all hours of the day and night. Maintaining traps require person to be in good physical condition, able to operate cleaning rakes/brushes for prolonged periods of time when debris loads are high. Processing fish requires prolonged exposure of hands to cold water. Technicians will regularly transport 5 gallon buckets of water in slippery conditions on uneven terrain. To ensure the fish are handled with minimal stress, they are anesthetized with MS-222. The process of marking fish involves using sharp objects, VIE, PIT, and bismark brown.

Adult salmonid sampling involves standing, bending and lifting, and exposure to inclement weather and cold water for several hours at a time. Data recording and fish identification and handling require dexterity and acute vision, especially for fin-marking, tagging, and collecting biological samples.  Sampling also entails handling and relocating non-anesthetized adult salmonids that weigh up to 40 pounds. The traps have moving parts, including winches for raising and lowering the traps.  Job duties require long hours working alone with exposure to cold water, and adverse and dangerous weather conditions including high river flows.

Union
This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP).”

Desired Qualifications:
Scientific Technician 2:  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 of field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist or zoologist.

Required Experience:
Must be able to identify juvenile and adult salmonids.
Familiar with the use of coded-wire tag injector and detection equipment is preferable, but not mandatory.
Must be able to effectively coordinate and communicate with co-workers and other fisheries professionals.
Must be able to maintain computer files and use spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel, Access) software.
Must be familiar with salmon life history and proper fish-handling techniques.
Familiarity with study area streams.
Construction skills.
Experience in the use of hand & power tools.
Good organizational Skills.
A valid Washington State or other state’s driver’s license.

NOTE: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences or closely allies 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.

To 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.