State of Washington
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
invites applications for the position of:
Permanent Scientific Technician 2 *02219-
15
SALARY: $2,426.00 – $3,135.00 Monthly
OPENING DATE: 03/10/15
CLOSING DATE: 03/20/15 05:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to protecting native fish and wildlife, and
providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.
Working throughout the state, WDFW’s employees–field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab
technicians, customer service representatives and others—manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species,
maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands, provide opportunities for recreational and commercial
fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting, protect and restore habitat and enforce laws that 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 a (3) three permanent full-time Scientific Technician 2’s positions in the Fish Program,
Fish Management, Region5. The duty station is located at 2108 Grand Blvd, Vancouver, WA.
JOB SUMMARY
This position is part of ongoing juvenile salmon production evaluation projects within the Cowlitz River
Evaluation Unit. Responsible for the daily operation of juvenile salmon rotary screw trap (RST). The RST is
part of a basin-wide monitoring program (Lower Cowlitz Monitoring & Evaluation project) designed to determine
the status of natural-origin stocks and evaluate the influence that current hatchery programs are having on
these populations. The RST is one of many activities required as part of the Fisheries and Hatchery
Management Plan Update for the Cowlitz River. The RST captures, and will allow the Scientific Technician to
identify and enumerate juvenile salmonids migrating from the Cowlitz River. This data is used to estimate total
system juvenile production for Wild Chinook, coho, chum, steelhead and cutthroat trout. The smolt trap will
measure abundance and timing of juvenile salmonids in the Lower Cowlitz River. The numbers of juvenile
salmonids that are naturally produced in the river are an important measure that evaluates the success of
natural spawners. The outmigration timing and speed of hatchery fish released from at the Cowlitz Salmon
Hatchery Barrier Dam must be evaluated to ensure that these hatchery fish have a minimal amount of
freshwater interactions with the naturally produced fish. The smolt trap will also provide biological samples
needed to conduct a parentage based estimate of adult fall Chinook spawners. The number of naturally
spawning Chinook is an important measure used to evaluate the health and recovery of Cowlitz River
populations, which in turn help to achieve the agency goals.
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=1095713[3/10/2015 6:46:01 AM]
DUTIES:
Operate juvenile salmon Screw Trap.
Tasks include:
Operatejuvenile salmon trap continuously from April thru December when conditions permit, sampling entire
catch from trap a minimum of twice a day. Identify juvenile salmonids to species and enumerate by age, origin,
mark type and species. Externally mark a portion of the catch for release above the trapping location to
estimate trapping efficiency. Collect biological data and samples from a portion of the catch of each species
(length and scales samples). Collect fin tissue from a sub sample of chinook juveniles for later genetic analysis.
Assist with juvenile salmonid collection for stomach analyses used in the predation study.
Tasks include:
Use of beach seine, stick sein, cast nets and rod and reel to collect juvenile hatchery and wild fish. Fish will be
bio sampled and lavaged for stomach content and prey items enumerated and recorded according to protocols.
Enter field data into databases and spreadsheets.
Tasks include:
Record and verify field data for accuracy; enter data into computer spreadsheets/ databases. Provide weekly
summaries to project lead biologist via phone or internet. Reviews paper datasheets for completeness. Run
queries on the database when requested by the supervisors. Provide updates and data records to supervisors
and collaborators through the use of MS Word and Outlook.
Performs other duties as required.
Tasks include:
Assists lead biologist with seining and other collection methodologies for juvenile and adult salmonids.
Effectively instructs and guides others in the use of equipment. Ensures understanding of equipment’s features,
operation, limitations, and functions.
Working Conditions
Work hours are non-scheduled; ie, candidate will typically work 40 hrs/ wk, but be expected to work rotating
shifts, including nights and weekends to accommodate operation of traps that fish 24/7. During periods of high
stream flows or fish migrations, work in excess of 40/hr week will be required, including nights & weekends &
Holidays.
Work week is Sunday through Saturday. Occasionally travel is required and the incumbent may have to work
beyond 8 hours in a day depending on work schedule.
Roughly 90% of work will be conducted in the field. The work schedule for this position averages 40 hours per
week, and may include work on weekends, evenings & holidays. Flexible work schedules are required to
address changing conditions, related to weather, stream flow & fish numbers. Potentially dangerous conditions
may exist including work in high and swift water. Trapping activities involve exposure to inclement weather
conditions (hot, cold, wet, windy, humid) and insect bites/stings and pollen. Frequent bending, kneeling,
crawling, climbing and lifting is required.Working in a rural setting, position may on occasion encounter hostility
or verbal threats from landowners and their pets, and possible wildlife encounters.
Trap operation requires the ability to handle and lift buckets with live fish in excess of 50 lbs., and prolonged
exposure of hands and fingers to cold water (40-50 degrees). Minimal overnight travel may be required.
Vehicle travel to and from the trap site to the office is required. Boat travel from the bank to the RST is
required at a minimum twice daily.
These positions are responsible for: Truck, electronic sampling equipment, weighing scales, cell phone,
calculator and computer. Use of hand tools (cleaning rakes, shovels, crowbars, sledgehammers, etc.), and
power tools (chain saws, drills, etc.) Fish collection gear including nets, seines, weirs, and screw traps.
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). As a condition of
employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other
fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=1095713[3/10/2015 6:46:01 AM]
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: 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 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.
Licenses: Valid motor vehicle operator license and Department of Interior Motorboat Operator Certification
Course graduate or Washington State Boater Card.
Preferred candidates should have work experience in the following:
Knowledge of salmon and trout life histories and behavioral characteristics.
Knowledge of safe live fish handling techniques.
Ability to identify juvenile and adult salmonids and lampreys live & dead, and other incidental catch.
Experience identifying and monitoring salmonids, and lamprey spawning activity by species.
At least 18 months of experience operating a juvenile salmon screw trap.
Ability to collect high quality biological data and complete data entry/summarization into program spreadsheets
& databases.
Comfortable in the use of a variety of hand tools, power tools and small engine machinery.
Experience communicating with the public, co-workers and supervisor in a professional manner.
Basic computer data entry skills with experience with Microsoft word and excel.
One year of fish health laboratory experience with procedures specific to microbiology and virology.
Two years’ experience working with MS OFFICE products including a working knowledge of entering data into
EXCEL.
Two years of experience entering juvenile salmon catch data into the juvenile salmon database.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
To 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.
Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted
and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A
resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your
application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in
your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be
verified and documentation may be required.