Title- Creel Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 3 months – June 26, 2025 – October 31, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Ellensburg, Washington – Kittitas County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join our team as a Creel Surveyor supporting critical monitoring efforts in the Upper Columbia River system. 

In this role, you'll play an essential part in conducting creel surveys required by NOAA Fisheries permits for Salmon fisheries on the Upper Columbia River and Lake Wenatchee. May also contribute to fish population assessments and stocking efforts in Lake Chelan and its tributaries. 

This is a great opportunity to apply your field skills while supporting the conservation and sustainable management of Washington’s aquatic resources.
 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Creel Surveyor will,

Conduct Creel Surveys on Lakes and Streams to Gather Information on Angler Usage and Harvest:

• Engage extensively with the public to collect information on fisheries.
• Use roving creel surveys, total and/or index counts, and conduct interviews with individual anglers.

Sampling Fish Metrics:

• Identify fish species and take various measurements.
• Check for marks and tags (fin clips, Floy tags and/or Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tags) and collect snouts for later analysis.
• May also occasionally capture fish using hook and line methods.

Conduct Fish Abundance Surveys in Small Tributary Waters:

• Set and maintain block netting.
• Collect environmental data to include stream section length, average stream width, and water temperature.
• Gather fish biological data and samples to include scales, tissue samples, length, weight, and species determination.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work settings may include recreational fishing docks, lake and river shorelines, public water access sites, boat ramps and docks, and office environments. Assigned work will be conducted during severe inclement weather and on slippery/uneven/steep/moving docks, boat ramps and shorelines.
• Frequent and repetitive lifting of salmon up to 40 pounds unassisted over a 10-hour work shift and communicating in person with the angling public.
• Risk of puncture wounds and lacerations from sampling equipment, knives, or fish teeth, and repetitive stress injury from handling salmon during data and biological samples collection.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:
Schedule is variable, adjusted according to need, usually five (5) days per week, 24/7 schedule. Weekend work required. Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours and adjustment of work schedules. 

Travel Requirements:
Daily travel in WDFW issued vehicles up to 2,500 miles per month.

Tools and Equipment:
Knife for removing fish snouts, boots, waders, electronic tag detectors, GPS units.

Customer Interactions:
Extensive work with the public in conducting interviews and informing anglers of rules and regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

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.

OR

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, stream surveying, and snorkeling 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:

• Conducting creel and fish sampling.
• Identifying all salmonid species found in the Pacific Northwest.
• Salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
• Commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
• Working with members of the public.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-03409.

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