Title- Chinook/Coho Spawning Ground Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- Five (5) months – September 2, 2025 – January 29, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program - Division
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position will assist with the monitoring of the health and diversity of Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead populations throughout the Lower Columbia River (LCR) and provides information needed to assess stock status and maintain sustainable recreational opportunities, which includes working in conjunction with field technicians, biologists, hatchery staff & complex managers, IT staff, and program managers in Region 5, within the agency, with other agencies, and with the public.  This position conducts fieldwork to collect data needed to estimate escapement, hatchery/wild proportions, and document spatial distribution. 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Chinook/coho spawning ground surveyor will be responsible for,

• Adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on Lower Columbia River tributaries to collect data needed to measure VSP (Viable Salmonid Population) parameters (i.e. Diversity, Distribution, Abundance, Productivity), which is used to determine the viability and health of salmonid populations and generate accurate and precise adult salmonid abundance estimates.
• Identifies and enumerates adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds.
• Collects biological data from carcasses including CWT (Coded Wire Tag) status, sex, marks, fork length, previous clips, marks, scales, DNA, and potentially otolith collection.
• Accurately records data collected during field activities into an IPad.
• Uses various handheld digital data collection devices: iPads, and CWT detectors.
• Submit scale cards, CWT snouts, DNA, and otolith sample collections in a timely manner.
• Download IPads daily and inform supervisor of any data errors for correction.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: Fieldwork performed in this position is often completed alone or in a team under the guidelines of the WDFW Working Alone in Remote Locations Policy (Policy# 2001). Outdoors 85% of day. Potential sun, rain, and wind issues. Temperature extremes. Exposed to hot (daytime temperatures >100 degrees at times) or cold (air temps in low 30’s combined with wind speeds >25 mph) conditions. Conducts spawning ground surveys by foot or cataraft. Must be able to lift (with or without assistance, as needed) large live fish (typically up to 30 lbs.).  Lift and load equipment up to 70 lbs. (i.e., pontoon rafts, field gear, etc.)   Walk in and along streams up to six (6) miles per day including climbing up and down steep, slippery banks. Will operate pontoon rafts in rivers with fast flowing/whitewater conditions under all weather conditions covering up to 15 miles per day. Record repetitive data under adverse environmental conditions for long work hours. Samples spawned out salmon carcasses with very strong odors in various states of decay. Salmonid population monitoring fieldwork performed by this position requires the handling and sampling of salmon and steelhead carcasses recovered during stream surveying. May assist with operating traps and/or weirs and sampling/ tagging adult salmonids. May assist with installing and removing fish monitoring equipment (weirs and traps). This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Four 10-hour shifts per week, rotating. May require long days, nights, weekends, and some holidays when fieldwork and/or other projects require it.

Travel: Travel required between office and stations, between stations, and to work area.

Tools and Equipment: 4x4 vehicles, catarafts, IPads, computers, CWT detector, walking sticks with gaff hooks, knives, machetes, loppers, and normal hand and carpentry tools.

Customer interactions: Interacting with the public, personnel from other State/ Federal agencies, and local landowners.  

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1. 

Option 2: 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. 

Option 3: Equivalent education/experience.

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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• WDFW Swiftwater training, completion within 4 months of hire.
• WDFW Oars training, completion within 4 months of hire.
• CPR/First Aid certification within 4 months of employment if not currently certified.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

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

• Sample designs with rotating panels.
• Fish passage barriers.
• Experience conducting commercial and recreational fishery sampling, including fish marking and tagging, habitat surveys, or stream characterization sampling.
• Common fish diseases, parasites, and water quality tests (e.g., pH, salinity, oxygen content).
• Operating, trailering, and transporting boats or other field research equipment.
• Experimental gear monitoring, fish passage assessments, or hatchery/wild fish identification.
• State and tribal fisheries regulations and practices.

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 RecruitmentTeam@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: 2024-1234 – 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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram