Title- Bull Trout Monitoring Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 4 Months – July 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Fish Passage Division
Duty Station- Ellensburg, Washington – Kittitas County

The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Bull Trout are federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This position will work to monitor and restore volitional fish passage in tributaries to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)-operated reservoirs in the Yakima basin.

This unique position works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish life with a variety of duties and focus areas. With your strong work ethic and attention to detail, you will assist with monitoring fish passage conditions for ESA-listed Bull Trout in tributary streams to reservoirs in the central Cascade mountains.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Bull Trout Monitoring Technician will,

• Document fish passage conditions temporally and spatially at each stream using GPS and camera.
• Document and remove any barriers to fish passage by removing recreational rock dams, bridges, or other features that negatively impact fish passage.
• Fish passage remediation is achieved by proactively modifying the streams using hand tools and native materials to create volitional fish passage.
• Construct, by hand, channel training bars, weirs, or other features to maintain and improve fish passage.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Typically, work will occur outside in all weather conditions with minimal office work. Repetitively lift 50-75 lbs. of gear, equipment, and materials and walk 3-8 miles per day. Work at night, in cold flowing water, around loud noises, and in remote locations. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: 40 hours per week, non-scheduled. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs with potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Travel Requirements: Occasional travel may be required with a potential for overnight stays.

Tools and Equipment: Operate motor vehicles including 4x4 trucks, ATV’s, and safely towing a trailer. Hand tools such as rakes, shovels, post pounders, and hay hooks. May need to use respirator and other personal protective equipment (PPE) while working with various chemicals used at the facility.

Customer Interactions: Frequently interact with the public, area recreationalists, neighboring private landowners, United States Forest Service (USFS), Yakama Nation tribal members and fisheries staff (YN), United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR), United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and local Bull trout recovery partners such as Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group (MCFEG), Kittitas Conservation Trust (KCT), and others.

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.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

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

Experience with:

• Fish biometrics.
• Yakima River Basin Fish identification.
• Manual labor, including the use of various hand tools.

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 #2025-04027.

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