Washington is America’s Top State according to U.S. News (2019) and we provide one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

The Washington 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. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.

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 to fill one non-permanent 8-month position located within the Fish Program, Fish Management, Marine Resources.  The duty station is the Region 6 Office located at 48 Devonshire Road, Montesano, WA.

This position supports coastal marine fish management through fieldwork and data related activities including recreational and commercial fishery port sampling, age structure preparation, fishery independent surveys and research, and data entry and basic summarization.  The position entails collecting data from nearly 100 species of groundfish (e.g., rockfish, flatfish, Sablefish) and coastal pelagic species (Pacific Sardine, Pacific Mackerel, Northern Anchovy, Jack Mackerel, Squid spp.) across numerous commercial fisheries distinguished by gear type, and the Washington coastal recreational bottomfish fishery.

Resource scientists and managers use the critical scientific information collected by this position to assess and regulate a diverse variety of coastal marine fish species along the US west coast, supporting highly valuable ocean fisheries. The work conducted by this position is directly linked to WDFW’s mission to ensure “Sustainable management of marine resources to maintain the economic well-being and stability of the state’s fishing industry and to enhance recreational and commercial fishing in state and off-shore waters.” DutiesCollect biological, catch, and effort information on marine fish fisheries at Washington’s coastal ports.  These fisheries include recreational groundfish, commercial groundfish, and commercial coastal pelagic species fisheries.  Dockside sampling of these fisheries occurs at all major coastal ports of Washington including Ilwaco, Chinook, Westport, La Push, and Neah Bay.  Participate in fishery independent research surveys of groundfish and coastal pelagic species conducted off the Washington, Oregon, and California coast.
Tasks include:
Collect biological information on whole fish and filleted carcasses landed by recreational groundfish anglers.  Samples are collected and processed at dockside sampling stations, fillet stations and boat launches at coastal ports.  Recreational dockside sample design requires communication with other WDFW units (i.e. the Ocean Sampling Program), and charter and private skippers to coordinate daily schedules and logistic matters to achieve sampling objectives.  Additionally, the operation of an agency research vessel may be required to fulfill these duties.

Collect biological, catch, and effort information from commercial groundfish fisheries including midwater trawl (Pacific Whiting), bottom trawl, setline (Sablefish, Halibut), and pot (Hagfish) gear types.  Species compositions and biological information from landings of these fisheries are collected and processed by the technician at fish processing plants located at Washington’s major coastal ports.  Logbook and fish ticket information are collected from the vessel at the port of landing or from plant personnel, then verified against species compositions and biological samples collected. Coordination with fish plant personnel, commercial dealers and vessel captains is necessary to develop an effective sampling strategy and collect all required information.

Collect biological and species composition information from commercial coastal pelagic species fisheries including the anchovy baitfish fishery.  Samples of the catch from these vessels are typically collected dockside and processed by the technician at the Region 6 laboratory.  Coordination with commercial net pen operators and vessel captains is required to collect representative samples effectively from these landings.

Track fishery activity and prioritize all sampling efforts to meet fishery dependent sampling goals.  Collect samples from landings according to established protocols ensuring random and representative samples are collected.

Assist with survey operations on single day groundfish research cruises off the Washington coast.  Follow strict standardized survey methods ensuring fishing effort and data collection protocols are followed onboard agency and chartered research vessels.  Collect effort information including the GPS location and depth of various survey operations, drift direction, drift speed, active fishing time, angler number, and gear specifications.  Collect species composition and biological information from catch.  Scan all catch for coded-wire tags and passive integrated transponder tags using blue wand tag detectors.  Tag select species with external Floy tags using Floy tag pistol grip tagging guns.  Descend released rockfish with barotrauma using descending devices.

Assist with survey operations on multiday (up to three weeks) coastal pelagic species research cruises off the Washington, Oregon and California coasts.  Live onboard commercial vessels conducting research surveys.  Utilize onboard sounding equipment and plotters. Daily contact via phones and/or email with other participants of the surveys is required for temporal and spatial coordination. Ensure that daily transect lines are being followed while collecting start and stop times, GPS location, water temperature, depth, and ocean conditions at each fishing location as well as the captain’s estimates of catch in a provided logbook.  Collect species compositions and biological information on the catch, which consists mainly of fish smaller than 20 centimeters.

All biological and species composition sampling requires the identification of approximately 100 species of groundfish and roughly 10 coastal pelagic species found on the Washington coast. Species compositions involve identifying, sorting, enumerating, and weighing fish by species or species complex.  Biological information collected on these species can include length, weight, sex, stage of maturity, and samples of ovaries, otoliths, Lingcod fins, or herring scales.  All data collection is done in real time on digital platforms including iForms, Microsoft Access forms, and Microsoft Excel.  The technician is responsible to summarize and ensure the integrity of all data collected through QA/QC and data submission protocols.

Process samples at the Region 6 headquarters laboratory.
Tasks include:
Prepare fish fins, otoliths, or other structures for age reading, and dissect fish specimens for biological data collection, coded wire tag retrieval, and/or preservation.

Maintain survey, dockside sampling, and laboratory equipment.
Tasks include:
Maintain, clean, and organize sampling equipment per unit protocols and schedules. Direct or assist with unit vehicle and vessel maintenance and cleaning following unit protocols and schedules. Direct or assist with vehicle mileage reports and/or vessel operations logs.

Other duties as assigned.
Tasks include:
Assist other projects as needed including, but not limited to, the Region 6 Shellfish Unit’s razor clam stock assessment field work, recreational razor clam fishery creel sampling, and Willapa Bay oyster sampling.

Working Conditions
This schedule is highly variable and very demanding depending on the activity.  Schedule flexibility is crucial as work is dictated by ocean/weather conditions as well as by vessel offload schedules.  Fieldwork is non-scheduled 24/7, up to 80 hours per week, and weekend and evening work is required.  Office and laboratory based work is typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.  Travel requirements are highly variable depending on activity.  Extended travel up to one month may be required to accomplish at-sea surveys.  This position will interact with commercial skippers, crew and research biologists and scientists (state and federal) during research surveys, and with office staff and dockside crew at commercial fish dealer/processing plants. Interaction with the general public while port sampling and providing basic information regarding fisheries resources as well as agency programs and activities is required.

This work is conducted at-sea, at recreational and commercial fishing docks, in laboratories, and offices.  While at-sea onboard agency research, charter, or commercial fishing vessels, extended trips require living on vessels with limited or reduced accommodations (i.e. bunking in shared space, water restrictions for bathing, basic cooking facilities).  Hazards include rough seas, exposure to severe,  inclement weather, vessel mechanical failure, wet, slippery decks and docks, exposure to specimen preservative chemicals, risk of puncture wounds and infection from tagging equipment or fish spines, heavy lifting of up to 60lbs unassisted, and repetitive stress injury from biological sampling and computer data entry.

Equipment:
The use of the following items will be needed for sampling duties; iPad, computer, electronic sampling equipment (CWT detector), weighing scale, calculator, knives, scissors, scalpels, forceps, measuring boards, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, pencils, pens, clipboard, scissors, Floy tagging guns, fume hood, dissection microscopes, glues, solvents, saws, glass slides, pressure washer, fishing tackle and gear, VHF radio, compass, personal floatation device, marine survival suit, rubber boots, rain gear, agency outboard motor boat, and vehicles.

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.

QualificationsGraduation from high school, 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 and two years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a 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 experience, provided the course work included at least six semesters or nine quarter hours of natural or environmental science classes.

Preferred/Desired Experience:
Sampling Qualifications:  Able to collect data systematically with a high degree of accuracy, precision, and completeness and understands sampling concepts such as randomness and bias.  Must have exceptionally strong marine fish identification skills.  Must have a strong knowledge of commercial and recreational marine fishing gears and methods and be familiar with commercial fish processing plant operations. Prior skill at procedures for collecting biological age structures from a variety of marine fish species.  Know how to use, troubleshoot, and make minor repairs of electronic sampling and tagging (CWT and PIT) equipment.

Physical Capabilities:  Capable of climbing ladders, climbing on-board a vessel, walking and balancing on docks and vessels that are wet, slippery, steep, and or moving.  Able to repetitively lift up to 50 pounds, work over a 10 hour work shift, work in inclement weather, hear and communicate over loud motors or fish processing equipment, and read computer monitors.  Possess average fine motor skills.

At sea Qualifications:  Able to work at sea without seasickness impairing performance, and able to tolerate being at sea for up to 3 week at a time.  Able to operate agency research vessel safely, conduct routine maintenance, and basic repairs.  Skilled in collecting real time data on electronic devices while in the field including at sea data collection.

Computing:  Possesses basic skills using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Word, and email software. Capable of entering data into electronic devices including laptops and tablets accurately with minimal errors. Can proficiently review and compile data collected by themselves for quality control. Familiar with coastal commercial groundfish databases.

Communication Abilities:  Strong skills in diplomacy and relationship building between coworkers, stakeholders, and the general public. Capable of communicating and being easily accessible at any time via phone and e-mail and able to use a CB or VHF radio.  Can clearly communicate verbally and in writing with individuals and groups within and outside of the agency.

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 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.

Veteran Preference Notice
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and Vet (Example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

Military Spouse Preference Notice
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and MS (Example:#10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

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.