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

There are (2) non-permanent Scientific Technician 2 positions available in the Skagit River Basin working in Skagit County.  The anticipated start date is April 29 and the positions are expected to continue through at least May 31, 2019. The duty station for the positions will be the WDFW field office in La Conner, Washington.  This recruitment is open until filled.

These positions will be part of a team responsible for creeling the prospective Skagit hatchery spring Chinook sport fishery taking place in the Skagit River in the Mount Vernon to Sedro Woolley area.  Each position will be issued a vehicle and will travel throughout the fishery locating and interviewing anglers about fishing effort and catch, or post up at boat ramps to interview returning boat anglers.  Angler catch will be sampled which will include cutting snouts from coded wire tagged fish, measuring fork length, identifying sex, and collecting scales.  Applicants must be able to write legibly and accurately record the information they acquire during angler interviews.

DutiesCreel sampling
Tasks include: 
Travel around fishery areas by vehicle, boat, aircraft or foot to find anglers.
Wait at boat ramps for boats with anglers to return.
Talk with and interview individuals to see if they participated in the fishery and if so conduct a structured interview about their experience and results and record on data sheets.
ID salmonids to species.
ID salmonid gender
Observe and record hatchery or research marks on the fish.
Sample fish as prescribed.  May include, but not limited to, scanning for CWT, taking scales, collecting tissue for DNA, severing and collecting the “snout” for coded wire tags, scanning for PIT, and collecting otoliths.
Bringing snouts to field office freezer at the end of the day.

Data 
Tasks include: 
Legibly record data from duty 1 above.
Review and tabulate data.
Enter data to existing spreadsheets and databases in Excel.
Proof data already entered to databases.
Summarize, prepare, write, text, call in, or email data requested by supervisors or other WDFW management staff.

Maintenance
Tasks include: 
Operate and maintain all equipment including sampling equipment, waders or other wearable gear if provided, and vehicles.  Vehicle maintenance includes periodically checking oil level and monitoring fuel and level of washer fluid.

Working Conditions
100% of the work will be conducted in the field, with work prescheduled based on a random sampling plan. The work assignments will include early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. Potentially dangerous conditions exist, including slippery conditions with steep and unstable terrain near swift water, navigating through dense riparian areas, working in all weather conditions, and encounters with wildlife and aggressive dogs.  The primary duty of the job is interacting with anglers participating in the sport fishery and additional encounters with landowners, tenants, outdoor enthusiasts, and other members of the general public should be expected.  Occasional encounters with people with unfriendly dispositions, and individuals under the influence of drugs or alcohol may occur.  Good interpersonal communication skills are necessary and applicants should be able to recognize, interpret, and appropriately react to verbal and non-verbal communication cues.  You must be able and willing to work in all weather conditions and understand that there may be extended periods of boredom sitting in a vehicle waiting for boat anglers to arrive at a boat ramp at the end of their fishing trip.

Successful applicants will be issued rubber boots, raingear, and all the sampling equipment necessary to complete the work.  Must have valid driver’s license.

Union  
This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP).

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.

Required Qualifications: 
Must be able to operate CWT scanner wand, PIT tag scanner, motor vehicles.
Must be able to use personal computers or mobile devices for data entry and writing to produce accurate and timely work products.
Knowledge of Excel.
Must be able to manipulate large or small fish and instruments with hands immersed in cold water.  Ability and desire to work outside in variable stream/river conditions and weather.
Be able to effectively communicate with anglers in a manner to facilitate data gathering
Must be able to identify saltwater and river stage adult salmonids to species.
Must be able to identify sex of adult salmonids.
Must be able to work variable days with shifts up to 12 hours.
Must have valid driver’s license.

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:

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.