Description

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

This recruitment is for (1) full-time non-permanent 2-month Scientific Technician 3 position with the Puget Sound Sampling Unit in the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish Program.  The anticipated start date for this position is December 25, 2019 through February 29, 2020, and the duty station for this position is located at 170 West Dayton, Suite 103B, Edmonds, WA 98020.

This position functions as a fisheries sampler and test fisher, performing advanced technical scientific duties, independently executing established and new sampling protocols and procedures in the sampling of Puget Sound fisheries in Central Sound. 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, the assessment of biological information by stock, and the subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and court-mandated catch allocations. The responsibilities of this position include advanced technical scientific duties and are performed under very limited supervision.  DutiesConduct test fishing and angler effort boat surveys in multiple Marine Areas in Puget Sound, including but not limited to Areas 8-2, 9, 10, and 11, during mark-selective salmon fisheries. 
Tasks include:
Pilot WDFW research vessels to conduct test fishing. Use a variety of methods, weight and bait, downrigger, jigging, diver, etc. to emulate the recreational salmon fishing fleet. Operate outboard motor boat, including trailering, launching, docking, coming alongside other vessels in all types of weather conditions.  Perform minor routine maintenance on the boat, motor, trailer and test fishing equipment. Operate GPS, depth finder, AIS, VHF, and electronic data collection device. Ensure the safety of self and other samplers while on the water. Follow all laws, rules, safety procedures and agency policies pertaining to operation of vessels at sea. Sample catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal and sublegal proportions) and hatchery/natural-origin proportions (mark-status proportions).  Assess overall health rating of each fish prior to release to aid in our attempts to look at survival of released fish.  Summarize the amount of time spent fishing each method. Record data on an electronic device. Ensure data is accurately recorded, summarized, and then downloaded to sampling unit database.

Pilot WDFW research vessels to conduct angler effort boat surveys. Intercept recreational and charter fishing vessels in Puget Sound, both stationary and trolling, to conduct angler effort interviews to determine site use weights. Record the ramp location anglers are returning to, the number of anglers per boat, and the target species fished for, for each boat intercepted.

Sample recreational fisheries for salmon, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and other marine fish.  Sampling for coded-wire tags and biological data.
Tasks include:
Interview as many recreational fishery anglers as possible as assigned at, but not limited to these boat launch facilities, (Everett Ramp, Marysville Ramp, Mukilteo Ramp, Shilshole Ramp, Armeni Ramp, Kingston Ramp, Eglon Ramp, Salsbury Ramp, Brownsville Ramp, Port Orchard Ramp, Manchester Ramp), marinas (Bayside, Edmonds Boat Basin and Dry Storage, Dagmar’s Landing), and shore-based fishing locations (Point No Point, Salsbury Park, Edmonds Pier, Seacrest Pier, Eglon shoreline, Whidbey Island shoreline). Properly implement interview procedures and sampling protocols, and accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms. Observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species. Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand or T-wand detectors). Classify, sort, and enumerate marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.  Retrieve snouts with CWTs from Chinook and Coho salmon to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.  Sample recreational salmon catch for biological data including DNA, age (scales), and sex ratios.

Participate in special studies and other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Collect additional catch or biological information for salmon, marine fish, or shellfish.  Participate in boat-based effort surveys for selective fisheries.  Sample high effort recreational fisheries and Terminal Area Fisheries (TAF) to provide data for in-season catch and effort estimates.  These studies are intense and require additional people at the sampling sites and on the water.
Review data, and maintain vessels and sampling equipment. Make field purchases as needed. Complete “TotalTime” to submit timesheets, and submit travel and purchasing information when needed. Complete state and agency required trainings and attend staff meetings.

Working Conditions:
24/7 non-scheduled, typically 8 to 10 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.  40 hours per week, weekend and evening work required.  Some travel required within the Puget Sound area.  Interacts with the general public during data collection and provides basic information regarding fisheries resources as well as agency programs and activities.  Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.  Includes contact with some individuals who may be angry, distraught, or frustrated.  Liaison to regional supervisor and law enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

Work is primarily conducted in the field.  Adverse weather and sea conditions, noises, 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 and on docks, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted), working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, rain gear, equipment holsters, personal flotation device (PFD), agency identifying clothing, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.

Outboard motor boat operation including proper and safe fueling, boat trailering, GPS, compass, fishing tackle and gear including downriggers, computer, pick-up trucks, cell phones, electronic sampling equipment such as tablets, weighing scale, VHF radio, calculator, knives, PFD, marine survival suit, rubber boots, rain gear, length measuring devices.

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).

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 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/Desired Qualifications:
12 months experience test fishing for salmon in Puget Sound.
12 months experience sampling fisheries in Puget Sound.
12 months of boat handling experience in marine waters of Puget Sound or an equivalent area.
Competencies
1.  INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE: Accurately identifies all salmon species, crab and shrimp species, and common marine fish species in Puget Sound.  Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.  Incorporates knowledge of sport fishing methods and gear.

2.  ANGLER INTERVIEWS: Uses effective techniques for communicating and asks angler interview questions in a manner that facilitates clarity, information flow, and reliability of the information.

3.  RECORD KEEPING: Consistently and accurately records and reviews data obtained from sampling fisheries in Puget Sound, including catch and effort data, CWT recoveries, and biological information.

4.  RESEARCH AND GATHERING INFORMATION: Effectively identifies, collects, organizes, and documents data and information in ways that make the information most useful for subsequent assessment, analysis, and investigation.

5.  VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS:  Effectively express ideas and information through spoken word using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.

6.  TEACHING AND TRAINING: Effectively communicates information that enables others to learn, understand, and apply specific principles, techniques, or information.

7.  PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: Complies with WDFW regulations, policies, and procedures.  Maintains professionalism with co-workers and the public.  Respects co-workers and accepts supervisor’s direction and authority.

8.  READING AND COMPREHENDING INFORMATION: Accurately reads, interprets, and retains information from sampling manuals, WDFW regulations pamphlets, and instructions from Management and Supervisor.

9.  MATHEMATICAL REASONING: Utilizes mathematical techniques to summarize data.

10.  INTERVIEWING: Uses effective interviewing techniques during the hiring process to obtain relevant information from candidates, and analyzes responses for compatibility with position and unit requirements.

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 preferred experience for 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.