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.  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 three (3) 6.5-month Non-permanent Scientific Technician 2’s in the Fish Program, Fish Management – Region 5. The duty station is the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery located at 165 Osprey Lane, Toledo, WA.  98591.

This position reports to the Cowlitz River Monitoring & Evaluation project leader (FB4) and is responsible for conducting activities to implement the Juvenile Trapping and Sampling portion (MA-B) of the Cowlitz River Fishery and Hatchery Management Plan (FHMP). The primary objective of this position is to assist with  evaluation of the abundance of all Cowlitz River hatchery and natural-origin smolts (AM-9), collect natural-origin Chinook smolts proportional to their weekly outmigration abundance (AM-1a), determine the migration timing and speed of hatchery smolt releases (AM-10), and evaluate predation by hatchery-origin smolts (AM-14) through the operation of a rotary screw trap in the lower Cowlitz River. This position also enters into project data bases and assist in the preparation of weekly reports.  DutiesConducts juvenile monitoring projects on the lower Cowlitz River.Tasks include:

• Operation of a rotary screw trap.
• Conducts remote trap monitoring via SMS alarm system
• Responds to trap alarms. The incumbent must live within a reasonable response time to the project (approximately 30 minutes)
• Collects biological information from captured juvenile salmonids.
• Obtains genetic samples from juvenile Chinook salmon.
• Conducts trap efficiency trials: mark/tag fish, release fish upstream of the trap, identify recaptured marked/tagged fish.
• Coordinates field work with Tacoma Power, state and other local agencies.
• Enters field and laboratory data.
• Conducts maintenance and repairs on trap, boats and other project equipment

Enters project data
Tasks include:

• Enters project trap and environmental data into JMX files and Excel files as needed
• Perform routine QA/QC on project JMX files.

Performance of administrative duties
Tasks include:

• Organizes receipts
• Completes WDFW required training
• Attend WDFW, Regional and Team meetings as necessary.
• Completes Total time by due dates.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:

• Conducts carcass recovery surveys for Chinook.
• Conducts spawning surveys for coho and steelhead
• Conducts angler interviews
• Conducts Chinook brood stock collection activities
• Conducts hatchery brood stock bio-sampling activities
• Assists with operation of tributary weirs

Working Conditions
These positions are based out of the Cowlitz Trout Hatchery, Toledo, WA.  The schedule for these positions follows a 40 hour work week, 10 hours per day and 4 days per week, Sunday – Saturday. The incumbent will work in a combination of field and office environments.  When the trap is in operation, this position’s schedule will include night shifts.  Occasionally, this position is expected to work in excess of 40 hours per week to complete necessary field and office duties. This position will require standby to respond to trap alarms. The position is expected to periodically travel throughout Washington and to other states for meetings and special projects.  Interaction with the public generally occurs through landowner contacts and at boat ramps, or while on the river.  Interaction with Tacoma Power Staff also required.  The incumbent must live within a reasonable response time, approximately 30 minutes.  Valid Driver’s license.
Familiarity with trapping equipment is essential for this position. Traps and barges have minimal cover, are exposed to inclement weather (including rain, wind, icy conditions, etc), and are subject to variable river flows.  Traps have moving parts, including winches for raising, lowering, and adjusting trap positions. Fieldwork may include hiking, walking, and snorkeling streams in inclement weather and sampling in cold, harsh, isolated conditions, including lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs. of equipment. Completion of field work will include use of motorized boats in moving river conditions.

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).”QualificationsDesired 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.

Preferred Experience:

1. Knowledge and operation of fish-capture gear, such as screw traps, inclined-plane traps, and smolt fences, and seines.
2. Knowledge of salmonid identification, life history, behavior, and migration patterns.
3. Knowledge of safe fish collection, handling, sampling, and juvenile marking techniques and procedures, including the use of fish anesthesia.
4. Good verbal communication skills.
5. Ability to plan, organize, and troubleshoot field activities in order to meet project objectives.
6. Ability to use word processing, spreadsheet and database software.

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.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:

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.