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.

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

We are recruiting to fill one (1) permanent Scientific Technician 3 within the Fish Program, Science – Hatchery Wild Interactions.  The duty station is located at 20268 Highway 20, Twisp, WA.  The anticipated start date is October 1, 2019.

This position will be a supervisory field technician with the main duty of ensuring proper operation of smolt traps at two locations in the Methow River basin.  The data acquired from daily trapping activities and mark/recapture experiments are used as the basis for producing productivity estimates for ESA-listed steelhead and spring Chinook Salmon.  Monitoring of PIT tag interrogation sites and participation in spawning ground surveys provide additional population estimate measures such as adult escapement, survival, run-timing, distribution, and population structure.  The data we collect is disseminated within WDFW, and to other resource managers and researchers locally and regionally so that management decisions regarding these ESA-listed populations will be based on the best available science.   DutiesOperating rotary screw traps
Tasks include:
Aid the lead biologist as the field crew lead of several technicians by providing training and field supervision as needed.  Ensure proper operation of rotary screw traps including installation and maintenance.   Collect juvenile salmonid abundance data for estimating basin-wide natural smolt production.  Duties include proper species identification, conducting mark/recapture trials to estimate trap efficiency, participation in PIT tagging efforts, and collecting biological information from target and non-target species captured during trapping.

Data Management and Processing
Tasks include:
Ensure that data is being recorded accurately and entered into established databases in a timely manner.  Performs quality control on datasets to prepare for inclusion in monthly and annual reports.  Effectively use computer software such as JMX, P4, PIFF, and Microsoft Excel or Access to manage collected data and to upload PIT tagging data to the PTAGIS database.
Operate in-stream PIT tag interrogation sites
Tasks include:
Install, repair, and maintain in-stream PIT tag interrogation sites.   Conduct site visits to remove debris and ensure that antennas were working properly.  Respond to automated alarms, tune, and troubleshoot as needed to ensure continuous operation.  Repair or replace compromised equipment when necessary.  Download data from a variety of readers and data loggers, and transform into a format accepted by the PTAGIS databases.

Assist with other hatchery monitoring and evaluation activities
Tasks include:
Assist other biologists with spawning ground surveys for spring Chinook and steelhead, conduct remote PIT tagging via hook and line angling, electro fishing, seining, etc., Collection of hatchery brood stock, creel surveys, and miscellaneous other duties as required.

Hire and supervise seasonal technician(s)
Tasks include:
Hire, train, and supervise seasonal technicians in the daily tasks associated with smolt trapping, maintaining PIT interrogation sites, and other hatchery monitoring activities.  Ensure that technicians are following developed protocols, and provide performance feedback regularly.  Produce work schedules that will ensure adequate personal are assigned to each of the smolt traps on any given shift.

Working Conditions:
The work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 to 4:30.  During peak work periods (April-June), working nights, weekends, and holidays will be required.  To ensure continuous trap operations, weekend work usually occurs at least once a month.  Interacts with supervisors and technicians within unit, as well as professionals from state, federal, county, tribal, and private organizations.  There may also be frequent interactions with the public during portions of the year.   Travel is required to field locations throughout the watershed to accomplish project duties.  Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, training, or gather supplies from distant locations.

This position requires both office and field duties.  During non-sampling months (usually December-March) and periodically throughout the sampling season, a significant amount of the time will be spent working on a computer to validate and manage data.

Smolt Trapping:
A variety of working conditions are experienced during smolt trapping activities.  During peak workloads (March-June & October-December), night work, highly variable work schedule, overtime, and cold inclement weather can be expected.  It is required that you can navigate a rope-guided boat across the river to access the smolt traps during periods of high water.  Smolt traps are floating platforms that experience periods of instability and random movement, and can at times be very icy.  There can be times of frequent noise exposure due to the operation of generators and water pumps.  The sampling of fish requires the use of anesthesia chemicals (MS-222) as well as concentrated alcohol for sterilization and tissue preservation.  Lifting and carrying buckets full of water, sometimes up and down ramps, is necessary.  At times, these duties can be very mentally and physically demanding, particularly in the spring during periods of high fish abundance and high river discharge.

Spawning Ground Surveys:
Spawning ground surveys are conducted for spring Chinook Salmon (August-September), and are often performed during periods of hot and dry conditions with prolonged exposure to sun.  Most surveys are performed independently by walking uneven and slippery stream terrain for up to 8 miles/day commonly in remote locations.  Navigating large and unstable log/debris dams may be necessary during some surveys.  Sampling Chinook Salmon carcasses is required and the use of sharp instruments such as knives and tweezers etc. is required.

Maintaining PIT Tag Interrogation Sites:
Work to maintain PIT interrogation sites can vary from fixing electrical issues to using snorkeling techniques to replace underwater equipment.  The replacement of antennas commonly requires the ability to carry large and heavy objects into and out of riverbed locations.  A portion of the work will be performed in the water, occasionally requiring the use of snorkeling with drysuits.  Travel to some sites may require snowshoes, skis, or the use of snowmobiles.

Other Sampling Tasks:
There will be work performed in a hatchery setting during brood stock collection and spawning activities.  Some brood stock collection may be performed at Wells Dam, which requires the use of PPE such as long pants, close-toed footwear, and a hard hat, often during very hot and sunny conditions.  Trapping activities at the dam and hatchery create the need for increased safety near exposed raceways and fish ladder facilities.  Remote PIT tagging efforts will require proper and safe operation of electro-fishing equipment.  Carrying a backpack weighing up to 40lbs while walking uneven and slippery river terrain is required.  PIT tagging will be a significant portion of fish sampling duties requiring repetitious use of sharp needles, fishhooks, tweezers, etc.

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.

QualificationsRequired Qualifications:         
Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science AND four years of experience as a Scientific technician; 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 health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural science, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semesters or nine quarter hours of natural or environmental science classes.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, or four years of experience in fisheries science.
• Hands-on experience identifying and collecting biological data from all life stages of Pacific salmonids as well as non-target taxa.
• At least two years of experience working with rotary screw traps.
• Experience inserting PIT tags into fish to aid in study goals.
• Experience conducting spawning ground surveys.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel, Access, and PIT tag software programs such as P4 or JMX.
• Exceptional organizational skills, and experience entering, checking, and managing data in developed datasets

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:

• Current Resume
• Three Professional References
• Cover Letter

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions may 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.