Title- Adult and Juvenile Salmonid Monitoring Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Cathlamet, Washington – Wahkiakum County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join WDFW and play a critical role in monitoring the status of Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonid populations in the Lower Columbia River (LCR) and promoting the recovery of Chinook, coho, and chum salmon populations.

In this dynamic position you will conduct juvenile salmonid trapping, adult fish weir operations, and adult spawner surveys for Chinook, coho, and chum salmon in the Grays River, Elochoman River, Skamokawa River, and other LCR tributaries.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Adult and Juvenile Salmonid Monitoring Technician will assist with,

Juvenile Trapping:

• Install, operate, maintain, and remove juvenile migrant traps (rotary screw and/or fence-panel with live box traps) to collect data needed to estimate juvenile salmonid outmigrant abundance in the Elochoman River and other basins.
• Identify, count, handle, mark, and recapture juvenile salmonids and other fish.

Adult Fish Weirs:

• Daily operation, maintenance, and biological data collection of adult salmonids at the Elochoman River adult fish weir.
• Install and remove the Grays River and Elochoman River adult fish weirs.

Stream Surveys and Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) Monitoring:

• Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
• Identify and count adult salmonids (live and deceased) and redds, mark redd locations, and enter biological data using iPads.
• Operate pontoon rafts in whitewater conditions (Class I–II rapids) while conducting spawning ground surveys.

Data Entry and Sample Preparation:

• Prepare data and field samples for laboratory analysis (such as salmonid scales for age structure analysis, DNA samples for genetic analysis, coded wire tag (CWT) positive snouts for hatchery origination status, and otolith samples for age/origin analysis).
• Accurately record and proof data collected during juvenile trapping, adult fish weir operations, and stream surveys.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is primarily (85%) conducted in the field, with the remaining work (15%) performed in an office or laboratory setting.

Field work may involve exposure to extreme temperatures (over 100°F or below 30°F), high winds (over 25 mph), wet, slippery, and uneven terrain. Walk up to six (6) miles per day over rough terrain and steep, slippery stream banks, lift and carry up to 70 pounds (e.g., rafts, nets, buckets, electrofishing gear, weir and trap components), load and transport field equipment, climb in and out of non-motorized boats, and conduct spawning ground surveys by foot or cataraft in whitewater conditions (Class I–II).

Handling fish (live or deceased) and sampling salmon carcasses may involve strong odors. Snorkel in rivers with fast-flowing or whitewater conditions for up to 4 miles per day. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. This position may also be required to euthanize fish.

Schedule: This position is full-time, 24/7 scheduling, working 40 hours per week with potential for overtime. The standard work schedule includes weekend work with the potential for occasional evening. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required using either an agency-provided vehicle or personal vehicle, if preferred.

Tools and Equipment: Basic hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys and blocks, non-motorized watercraft, 4x4 vehicles, 200-foot beach seines, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, coded-wire tag (CWT) detectors, iPads, weighing scales, knives, handheld data logger devices, and computers.

Customer Interactions: Interact professionally with departmental staff, other agencies, commercial fishers, and members of the public.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science
AND
Two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.
 

Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science
AND
Two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Please Note: 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 (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Experience with:

• Identifying salmonids and other species in larval, juvenile, and/or adult life stages.
• Identifying salmonid redds.
• Juvenile and adult salmonid fish marking and tagging protocols.
• Juvenile trapping techniques, including operating rotary screw and fence-panel with live box juvenile traps.
• Resistance board and fixed-panel adult fish weirs.
• Fishery monitoring, observing, and sampling. 
• Euthanizing hatchery fish.
• Rowing non-motorized oar-framed boats such as drift boats and catarafts in whitewater conditions/rapids (Class I-II).
• Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Basic carpentry skills and operating hand tools.
• Handheld iPad and data logger devices.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

 Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union - WAFWP:

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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2025-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-08401.

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