DutiesConducts salmon spawner surveys according to Region 6 – District’s 17- Willapa Bay procedures and protocols.
Tasks include:

• Fieldwork requires identifying, recording, and monitoring of salmonid redds and carcass recovery (live/dead fish counts) within selected stream reaches. Data collection is recorded on field forms, which may include GPS locations and mapping.
• Salmon surveys are conducted on foot and/or by utilizing rafts, pontoon boats, drift boat, or jet-pumped equipped river sled boat.  Fieldwork is often done in inclement weather, within varying stream flow conditions, and can be strenuous.  Fieldwork is physically demanding with some surveyed reaches greater than 10+ miles per day. Walking along streams in varying weather conditions on slick surfaces, wading riffles, and maneuvering watercraft requires moderate strength, agility, and ability. Trail locations to and from stream reaches may be as equally physically challenging. Lifting equipment and objects up to or greater than 40 pounds may be required.
• Biological collection of dead fish includes sampling for adipose and dorsal fin mark status (determines hatchery or wild), scale sampling (for age and origin), coded wire tags (stock composition and origin), opercle punch, t-tags, jaw tags, DNA tissue samples, or other biological samples as needed
• Maintaining accurate and timely field records for this position is very important to meet management needs. Data summarization and data entry is crucial.  Will assist in training other field staff depending upon prior experience. Provides valuable input to improve data collection.
• Work hours are flexible due to inclement weather, stream flow patterns, degree of spawning activity, length of daylight hours, and other factors.
• Keeps supervisor informed on a daily basis regarding the status of work projects and emerging issues, which may include other WDFW programs such as Enforcement, Habitat, and Wildlife.
• Driving to stream survey locations via state and county roads, as well as local travel along streams on private (logging) roads throughout the district. Depending upon specific project locations, the percent of travel time will fluctuate daily as field sites may be conducted within Willapa Bay.  All travel will be conducted by use of state vehicles. Operators must comply with all driving laws and any rules forwarded by agencies, public and private landowners as well as always operating vehicles in a safe manner adjusting according to road and weather conditions.
• Maintain regular and professional contact and continue positive relationships with landowners to gain access to surveyed reaches through private property.

Conduct recreational creel monitoring according to Region 6 District 17 – Willapa Bay procedures and protocols. 
The purpose is to collect data from the marine recreational fishery (Marine Area 2.1) through angler interviews and examination of fish catches that will be used to estimate landed catch, effort, species origin, age, stock composition, or encounter rates of Chinook or coho.  These data are used to calculate species abundance by mark type of each salmonid stock within the Willapa Bay marine area.
Tasks include:

• Fieldwork requires identifying, recording, and sampling of salmon and other species that are landed or recording data regarding the encounter of released fish in the marine recreational fishery in Willapa Bay.  Data collection is recorded, summarized, and tabulated utilizing electronic devices (iPads) through the iForms program and/or paper field forms.
• Biological collection of dead fish includes sampling for adipose and dorsal fin mark status (determines hatchery or wild), scale sampling (for age and origin), coded wire tags (stock composition and origin), opercle punch, t-tags, jaw tags, DNA tissue samples, or other biological samples as needed.
• Maintaining accurate and timely field records for this position is very important to meet management needs. Data summarization and data entry is crucial.  Will assist in training other field staff depending upon prior experience. Provides valuable input to improve data collection.
• Duties will be conducted at the dock or boat launch locations and is often done in inclement weather within varying times (days).  Fieldwork is physically demanding due to long days standing and walking.
• Keeps supervisor informed on a daily basis regarding the status of work projects and emerging issues, which may include other WDFW programs such as Enforcement, Habitat, and Wildlife.
• All travel will be conducted by use of state vehicles. Operators must comply with all driving laws and any rules forwarded by agencies, public and private landowners as well as always operating vehicles in a safe manner adjusting according to road and weather conditions.
• Maintain regular and professional contact and continue positive relationships with recreational anglers to facilitate public cooperation in reporting of marked fish encounters and overall fishing effort.

From Sept. 1 – November, this position may participate in the commercial gillnet fishery catch sampling and/or commercial on-board monitoring within Willapa Bay and/or Grays Harbor.
Tasks include:

• Commercial gillnet fishery duties include biological sampling of commercial catch for scales, adipose fin clip mark status, coded wire tags, genetic DNA tissue samples, length, sex, and any other biological samples as needed.
• Commercial on-board monitoring duties include monitoring the commercial gillnet fishery for net soak times, summarize catch for retained and released fish by species, species adipose fin clip mark status, coded wire tag absence or presence, genetic DNA tissue samples, and any biological sampling as needed.

Other duties as assigned to meet the District’s Goals and objectives.
Tasks include:

• Depending upon District 17-Willapa Bay other project needs, additional project work maybe assigned to assist at hatcheries, traps or weirs, or other field / lab related projects.
• These projects will be assigned according to weather / stream patterns affecting the spawning ground survey program and/or adjusted based upon other project priorities.  They could include, but aren’t limited to, checking all equipment to ensure it is maintained, properly stored, accounted for, and meets safety requirements on a daily basis, updating and submitting timesheets by assigned due dates and reviewing and signing all agencies policies and procedures.

.
Working Conditions
The hours of work are 24/7 (non-scheduled); weekend, holiday, and evening work may be required.  Work hours can vary due to inclement weather, river conditions, access, and fish densities.  Field sampling start and end times usually fall outside of the normal 8 – 5-work schedule. Hours over 40 per week accrues as comp time.  Ability to communicate with the public (recreational or commercial anglers) regarding current fishery status and regulatory actions.  Answers basic question.  Travel requirements are within Willapa Bay basin either to assigned ports for recreational or commercial monitoring or to freshwater river systems for spawning ground surveys.

The primary work is in the field.  The work environment is outdoors and can be physically demanding. During recreational fishery monitoring and commercial on-board monitoring, work hours are spent standing, walking, bending, negotiating boat ramps or slippery surfaces, boarding vessels, and lifting, handling, and manipulating fish up to 40 pounds.  During spawning ground surveys, the work involves considerable driving and hiking into remote areas on private and public timberlands.  Walking along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, or maneuvering watercraft requires moderate strength and agility. Lifting equipment up to and or greater than 40 pounds may be required. Commercial on-board monitoring involves boarding gillnet vessels in the dark and in wet conditions.  All work includes wet/slippery environment, potential loud noise, close quarters, and potential repetitive work for long periods of time.

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 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 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 year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

• The ability to clearly and concisely fill out field data forms (electronic or paper) is necessary.
• Ability to follow oral and written Instructions, have good communication skills, and the ability to interact with the general public and co-workers.  Work well alone or in small groups is necessary.
• Have a flexible work schedule to meet project timelines.
• Ability to work in varying weather conditions.
• Sample dead fish regardless of the conditions.
• Valid unrestricted driver’s license.

Required Work Experience

• A background in elementary biology, in-the-field salmonid identification, and spawning ground survey methodologies is required.
• Knowledge of salmonid species, their spawning behavior, general life histories, fishery management methods, spawning ground survey methodologies, and familiarity with the geography of the Willapa Bay basin.
• Understand basic field sampling techniques, procedures and sample rates
• Sample dead fish regardless of their condition
• Proficient in MS Office.

Supplemental InformationIn order to successfully 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 current resume
• Three professional references

Pursuant to the Governor’s Directive, 20-08, this position will be subject to one furlough day per week through July 25, 2020, and one day per month beginning August 1, 2020, through November 30, 2020.

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
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.

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 (for 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 (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

“As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore; we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.”  

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.