Title- Fisheries Field Crew Worker
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 
Number of Vacancies- Twenty-nine (29)
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program
*Duty Station- Region 5 – Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties
Posting Timeframe- This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until July 3, 2025. First review of applications will take place June 2, 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.

*Multiple locations in Western Washington and a variety of anticipated appointment lengths – apply for one (1) or all the positions by submitting one (1) application. 

For a more detailed description of each position, please visit the following link: Scientific Technician 2 - Position Details (Download PDF reader)

Supplemental questions are provided for you to indicate your preference regarding location and anticipated appointment length.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

What to Expect-
Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the duties required. Typical duties may include:

• Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries, identifying and enumerating adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds.
• Assist in the daily operation and maintenance of adult fish weirs on the Grays River, Elochoman River, Coweeman River, Kalama River, Cedar Creek and Washougal River.
• Assist with sampling spawned and surplus fish at hatcheries for coded wire tags, scales and DNA.
• Support angler creel interviews on Drano Lake and the Wind River.
• Capture, identify, enumerate, handle, and tag and/or mark juvenile and adult salmonids for mark-recapture programs and distribution monitoring.
• Interview sport anglers and record catch by species, effort, and biological data including biological samples from fish such as salmon, trout, and sturgeon.
• Use a computer at the regional office or in the field to enter data into established spreadsheets and/or databases.
• Inspect trap and weir infrastructure daily to ensure maximum efficiency and report status to the appropriate project lead.
• Assist with on-board Commercial Fishery Observations and sampling.
• Gather data in rivers by snorkeling to identify, count and/or collect fish, and/or deploy and inspect field gear.

Working Conditions: 

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the working conditions required. Typical working conditions may include:

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Approximately 85% of the time is spent in a non-office, field environment; the remaining 15% is spent in an office and/or laboratory setting.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
• May be exposed to extreme temperatures, with daytime highs exceeding 100°F and lows below 30°F, and wind speeds greater than 25 mph.
• Conduct spawning ground surveys on foot or by cataraft in whitewater conditions/rapids (Class I–III). This includes snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing water and walking over rough terrain in varying environmental conditions.
• Walk up to 15 miles per day over rough terrain and climb in and out of both motorized and non-motorized boats, or along streams and rivers.
• Sample spawned out salmon carcasses that can contain very strong odors. Some positions will be expected to humanely euthanize fish.
• Drive and walk along rivers to interview anglers and work in inclement weather while traversing slippery and uneven surfaces.
• Lift, with or without assistance, large live or dead fish, typically up to 30 lbs. and occasionally over 100 lbs.

Schedule: 24/7 non-scheduled. May work early hours, late hours, weekends, and occasional holidays.
 
Travel Requirements: Most of the duties are conducted in the field away from the duty station. Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required with either a departmental issued vehicle or personal vehicle. Overnight travel may be required.
 
Tools and Equipment: Basic hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys and blocks, motorized and non-motorized watercraft, 4x4 vehicles, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, coded wire tag (CWT) detectors, fish totes, 5-gallon buckets, and electrofishing gear while weighing scales, knives, handheld data loggers and computers, life jacket, rain gear, recreational creel equipment, serrated snout knife, polarized glasses, iPad, Garmin inReach. Some positions may also use pontoon rafts, 200’ beach seine nets and tow vehicles.    
 
Customer Interactions: Interact with other departmental personnel, personnel from other agencies, commercial fishers and 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: 

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

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the Preferred Qualifications and Special Requirements. Typical qualifications may include:

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• Wilderness First Aid certification.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Personal Safety I.
• Policy 2001 Field Communication Attestation.
• Policy 2005 Providing Safety and Health Programs Attestation.
• Personal Floatation Device Attestation.
• WDFW Swiftwater training certification.
• WDFW Oars training certification.
• WDFW Coldwater (Inland) training certification.
• Chainsaw training certification.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification.

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

Experience with: 

• Identifying salmonids and other fish species in larval, juvenile and/or adult life stages and salmonid redds.
• Resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs.
• Fish marking and tagging protocols.
• Fishery monitoring, observing and sampling.
• Commercial fishing gear types and methods.
• Rowing non-motorized oar-framed boats such as drift boats and catarafts in white water conditions/rapids (Class 1-2).
• Microsoft Excel, Outlook and Access.
• Basic carpentry, aluminum and steel welding, bending, and cutting.
• Operating Coded Wire Tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag detectors.
• Operating handheld iPad and data logger devices or Garmin inReach or other satellite devices for communication.
• Operating rotary screw and fence-panel (with live box) juvenile traps.
• Conducting salmonid spawning ground surveys.
• Working alone, in remote locations.
• Conducting recreational angler creel surveys.
• Conducting commercial and hatchery sampling.
• Identifying anadromous salmonids and other fish species in the Columbia River and its tributaries.
• Gathering angling information from members of the public accurately and efficiently.
• Hatchery sampling and spawning.
• Working at a fish ladder counting station.
• Live fish handling techniques that ensure the safety of fish and personnel.
• Collecting high-quality biological data and completing data entry (written/electronic).
• Navigating on logging roads and off-trail using GPS and maps.

Training/Certifications: 

• Basic CPR and First Aid.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification.

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 #2025-03593.

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