Title- Fall Chinook Monitoring and Evaluation Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Six (6)
Appointment Length- 3.5 months – September 1, 2025 – December 15, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin County
Posting Timeline- This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until August 14, 2025. First review of applications will take place August 7, 2025. Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be closed at any time and candidates may be selected before the listed closing date.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of native fish populations through dynamic, hands-on fieldwork focused on the largest Chinook Salmon population in Washington State. 

Envision yourself collecting and recording biological data from adult salmon, trapping fall Chinook, conducting carcass and redd surveys, recovering and decoding coded-wire tags (CWT), and managing data entry

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fall Chinook Monitoring and Evaluation Technician will,

• Collect biological data from fall Chinook salmon recovered at various locations, including Priest Rapids Hatchery, Ringold Springs Hatchery, and during carcass surveys in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River.
• Use standard sampling techniques, tools, and data forms to collect demographic and coded-wire tag (CWT) data from adult salmonids at hatcheries or during stream surveys.
• Scan fish for the presence or absence of a coded-wire tag (CWT), record demographic data for tagged fish, remove and decode tags, and enter tag information using standard tools and forms. 
• Enter sampling data into the TWS database on the project’s PC and collaborate with team members to proof and verify data entries.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work occurs in various environments, primarily at hatchery sites both indoors and outdoors where adult salmon are handled for the collection and processing of biological and demographic samples.
• Occasionally, duties occur along river shorelines accessed by vehicle or boat to survey anglers or sample adult salmon carcasses for data collection.
• Hazards may include exposure to inclement weather (cold, hot, rain, wind) for extended periods of time, use of knives or hacksaw to remove fish snouts, unstable footing, insect bites or stings, limited access to restrooms or other facilities, repetitive heavy lifting, to periods of standing and bending over.
• Must be able to pick up and carry up to ~1,000 individual salmon weighing up to 40 pounds during an 8-hour work period.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. This position requires a flexible schedule and may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.

Travel Requirements: Travel to remote work sites in agency owned vehicles.

Tools and Equipment: Rain gear, boot/waders, protective gloves, standard sampling tools.

Customer Interactions: Limited interaction with non-agency personnel unless performing harvest surveys. Harvest surveys require significant amounts of interviews with anglers.

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.
• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.

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 one or more of the following:

Experience: 

• Handling adult salmonids
• Performing carcass surveys
• Performing redd surveys
• Decoding coded wire tags (CWT)
• Collecting physical and biological sampling data from salmon
• Working with relational databases

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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05365.

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