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

The Department of Fish & Wildlife is recruiting to fill one (1) full-time permanent Scientific Technician 4 in the Fish Program, Fish Management, Puget Sound Sampling Unit.  This position’s duty station is located at the Edmonds WDFW Field Office, 170 W. Dayton Suite 103 B, Edmonds, WA  98020.

This position functions as the project leader for the Central Sound region of the Puget Sound Sampling Unit.  Supervision of the fisheries sampling in this region is essential to providing the information necessary to estimate the catch and effort data for commercial and recreational fisheries management, assessment of biological information by fisheries stock, and the subsequent achievement of spawning escapements and court-mandated and agreed to catch allocations. This position serves as one of the main contacts between WDFW and fishery user groups in the Central Sound region of Puget Sound.

The geographic area of responsibility includes all of the Seattle metropolitan area from Des Moines in the south extending to Camano Island to the north and all areas in between. This area includes all of Marine Areas (Areas) 10, 8-2, and parts of Areas 9 and 11, as well as Lake Washington.

DutiesPlans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the implementation of agreed-to sampling plans for monitoring recreational fisheries. Directly supervises and oversees the sampling of recreational salmon, marine fish, and shellfish fisheries, in Central Puget Sound to obtain catch and effort data for fisheries management.
Tasks include:
 Assists in development of procedures based on current fishery activities to fulfill program needs.
Directs and integrates the various aspects of the assigned fishery sampling projects for Central  Sound, ensuring that work progresses toward achieving goals and objectives.
Supervises and conducts recreational fishery sampling at all boat launch facilities, marinas,  piers, and shore-based locations where salmon and marine fish angling occurs and are  accessible to sampling staff.
Supervises the intensive monitoring of mark-selective Chinook and Coho salmon fisheries in  Central Sound Areas (8-2, 9, 10, and 11) to produce in-season catch and effort estimates   including dockside creel sampling, test fishing, boat surveys, and Salmon Trip Reports.
Responsible for baseline recreational marine fish sampling, including halibut and lingcod, when   applicable. Includes angler interviews, catch composition by species, location of catch and  general biological data.
Organizes and participates in boat surveys to determine the ratio of boats originating from  sampled versus non-sampled sites.
Responsible for sampling selected sites in Areas 81, 82, 9, 10, and 11, involving the analysis of  historical information, number of available employees, number of sampling days, number of   possible sites, time of year, weather, tides, fishing regulations and salmon run sizes and timing.
Plans and coordinates coded-wire tag (CWT) recovery efforts.
Maintain statistically valid sampling activities within agency management policies and fishing  trends.
Ensures data has been entered and uploaded by staff into electronic data devices in a timely  manner.
Ensures all data from the recreational fisheries in the area have been reviewed for accuracy in  the web-based interface on a weekly basis.

Responsible for all supervisory duties of the Central Sound region.
Tasks include:
Daily supervision of both permanent and non-permanent staff.
Plans, prioritizes and implements the distribution of staff between recreational and commercial  fisheries sampling needs.
Ensures the completion of weekly staff schedules.
Responsible for ensuring adequate staffing levels for the area. Reviews and updates position   descriptions, and completes HR paperwork including HR Action and HR Recruitment/Hire forms.
Assists with recruitment, reviews candidate application materials, conducts interviews, conducts, reference checks, and makes recommendations for hiring.
Completes all new employee’s hiring paperwork.
Obtains department identification and/or keycards for staff.
Trains or oversees the training of permanent and non-permanent staff, including tribal samplers, when requested. Ensures completion of Learning Management System trainings and all other  required trainings by staff.
Conducts annual performance evaluations and expectations for permanent staff.
Completes Safety and Security Incident reports as needed.
Ensures the payment of all facility bills
Makes routine purchases of supplies and equipment necessary to conduct monitoring of  fisheries in the region.
Completes Prior Purchase Approval forms for major purchases, and provides all necessary information required for the approval.
Maintains and operates motor vehicles, boats, and trailers used for sampling.
Performs all required supervisory administrative tasks including completing timesheet approvals  in Total Time, Order Payment Forms, P-Card logs, vehicle mileage reports, inventory of field    equipment, and travel expense vouchers using the TEMS system.
Assists with and coordinates the testing of new and updated electronic data forms.
Oversees and coordinates the transfer or shipment of paper data forms, scale cards, and collected biological samples (CWT snouts, lingcod spines, and DNA) to department headquarters, or any other destination as necessary.
Notify supervisor (chain of command), and HR as needed, of all personnel issues.

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and supervises the implementation of agreed-to sampling plans for monitoring commercial fisheries. The commercial sampling portion of this position typically runs from June through December. The technician supervises, oversees, and samples commercial salmon catch from both tribal and non-tribal fisheries. This work is performed throughout Central Puget Sound in Areas 9, 10, and 8-2 at fish buying stations.
Tasks include:
Maintain statistically valid sampling activities within agency management policies and fishing trends.
Coordinate all aspects of commercial sampling with local tribes, other state agencies, other regional projects and professional staff within the agency working on special projects consistent with established sampling goals and priorities.
Plans and coordinates coded-wire tag (CWT) recovery efforts.

Supervises the implementation of special fisheries studies to collect catch and/or biological data on salmon, marine fish, or shellfish.
Sampling projects include but are not limited to:
DNA sampling studies for salmon and marine fish.
Conducting shrimp creel surveys during open shrimp seasons.
Conducting other shellfish sampling, including crab
Commercial fisheries catch assessment studies.
Other selected freshwater recreational fishery sampling projects when requested.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Serves as a lead representative in this region for interacting with the general public and disseminating information regarding fishery sampling activities, recreational and commercial fishery regulations as well as agency programs, activities, and policies. Other duties as needs arise.

Working Conditions
The work schedule for this position is 24/7 (non-scheduled), 40 hours per week; weekend and evening work required. Overtime required when needed.  Work is conducted both in the field and in an office environment. While in the field, the following may be encountered:  Exposure to inclement weather, loud noises, fish blood and slime, possible punctures from toxic fish spines or teeth, biting and stinging insects, and pollen.  Works on slippery docks on marine waters, is required to wear a PFD properly at all times when working on docks or on the water.  Other potential hazards include danger from vehicles and vessels during boat launch and retrieval, rough water, 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, carrying, kneeling, lifting (40 lb. max), working and standing in a confined space, slippery surfaces, rain gear, and use of knives.

Customer Interaction
As a representative of the agency, interacts with the public, tribal co-managers, and other agency staff.  May include contact with individuals that are angry or hostile.

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 five years of experience as a Scientific Technician, three years of which must be as a Scientific Technician 2 and/or 3.
OR
Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and five 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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications
A minimum of 12 months of fisheries experience.
Must be able to identify all salmon, crab, shrimp, and common marine fish species found in Puget Sound.
Must be familiar with salmon life history.
Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
A minimum of one year supervisory experience.
Ability to work well with a diverse group of people.
A minimum of 12 months experience creel sampling recreational and commercial fisheries in Puget Sound or a similar area.
A minimum of 500 hours of boat handling experience in boats 16 foot or larger in marine waters.
Washington Boater’s Card or Motor Boat Operators Certification Course.

Other Skills and abilities
SUPERVISORY SKILLS: Ability to direct the work of a team of employees, delegate duties when needed, and deal effectively with interpersonal conflicts, scheduling problems, and other personnel issues.
INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE: Extensive knowledge of regional fishing patterns and regulations for all Puget Sound Areas.
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.
RECORD KEEPING: Consistently and accurately record and review data obtained from sampling fisheries in Puget Sound, including catch and effort data, coded-wire tag recoveries, and biological information.
RESEARCHING 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.
VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS: Effectively expresses ideas and information through the spoken word using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.
TEACHING AND TRAINING:  Effectively communicates information that enables others to learn, understand, and apply specific principles, techniques, and information.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:  Complies with WDFW regulations, policies and procedures.  Maintains professionalism with co-workers, Tribal staff, commercial salmon buyers and the public. Respects co-workers and accepts supervisor’s direction and authority.
READING AND COMPREHENDING INFORMATION: Accurately reads, interprets, and retains information from sampling manuals, WDFW regulations pamphlets, and instructions from Management and Supervisor.
MATHEMATICAL REASONING: Utilizes mathematical techniques to summarize data.
EQUIPMENT OPERATION:  Possess knowledge of proper operation and maintenance of electronic sampling equipment, potentially including calibration of R9000 tunnel detectors with quad counters.  Boating skills in marine and fresh water environments including operation and maintenance of outboard motors, launching and retrieving boats, trailering boats, rules of the road on land and water, and safety requirements and laws.
RESULTS ORIENTATION AND INITIATIVE: Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them.  Identifies sampling needs and proactively takes appropriate action.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of his/her work.  Relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight.
ADAPTABILITY: Ability to react appropriately to rapidly changing circumstances and effectively implement new procedures or courses of action.
TACT AND DIPLOMACY: Responds to difficult, stressful or sensitive interpersonal situations in a manner that reduces or minimizes conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.
INTERVIEWING: Use 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 competencies 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.

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.