FOUR (4) OPENINGS
FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT
FISHERY SAMPLER
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Fish Program
Mill Creek, Washington – Snohomish County

Anticipated Appointment Length: 6.5 months
May 14, 2024 – November 30, 2024

This is an opportunity to gain hands on experience in fisheries at the Stillaguamish and Snohomish Rivers.

Envision yourself in the field, interviewing anglers, recording fishing effort on the rivers, and recording species harvest.

Picture yourself, 

Working as part of a sampling team to provide in season estimates of salmon and game fish harvest and encounters on the Stillaguamish and Snohomish Rivers.

With your data collection experience, 

Collect biological data including scanning for coded wire tags (CWT), scales, length measurements, and DNA.

We are seeking a candidate, 

Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Duties:

Some of what our Fishery Sampler will enjoy doing, 

Creel sampling: 

• Collect and summarize recreational fisheries data in freshwater systems.
• Examine angler catch and sample salmonids and game fish including steelhead.
• Drive a route along the river enumerating (counting) angler fishing effort and catch at predetermine locations. 
• Angler interviews will be conducted at boat ramps, WDFW access sites, and along the riverbank in some locations. 

Data management: 

• Record daily creel data using iPads. 
• Quality assurance/control of data collected and sync data to the database at the end of each sampling day.
• Assist supervisor with fisheries estimates entering data in excel workbook, fish database, ArcGIS, or R statistical program.

Equipment maintenance:

• Maintain and service equipment including electronic sampling gear (iPads), T-wands, measuring board, and state-assigned work vehicle.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Primarily field work in and around rivers and streams walking up to three (3) miles on rugged often slippery/uneven terrain in and out of water and manipulating fish up to 30 lbs. 
  • May have the opportunity to occasionally assist with hatchery spawning in the fall and maneuver larger quantities of fish (full nets could approach up to 50 lbs.).
  • Variable temperature and weather may be encountered in the field such as heavy rain, snow, fog, and extreme heat. 
  • May drive in areas where the roads are partially flooded or covered in snow to get to access sites. The majority of creel technicians time will be spent in a vehicle driving to each sampling location on the river and waiting for anglers to complete their fishing trip for interviews. 
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
  • Periodic computer work at WDFW regional office. May be working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, and looking at computer monitor for long periods of time.
• Schedule:
  • Non-scheduled, 24/7. Typically, Monday – Sunday.
  • Weekends, non-consecutive days off, and occasional long hours will be required.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel is required from assigned duty station to river sites and will be expected to daily survey a large spatial area. 
  • There is the possibility to use agency automobiles as well as personal vehicles if authorized.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Agency will provide a vehicle, exposure apparel (raincoat and pants, hat, waders/boots), sampling gear including knives, scissors, tweezers, hemostats, measuring board, personal flotation device (PFD), iPad, T-wand and a laptop.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Will communicate with the public and recreational anglers, private landowners and co-managers regarding current fishing regulations and regulatory actions.

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 is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• Completion of a four (4) year degree or equivalent in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
• Ability to identify ocean and river stage salmonids, juvenile salmonids, and other game fish species.
• Knowledge of the watersheds and fisheries in Snohomish County.
• Experience with fisheries creel methodology.
• Experience operating watercraft (such as pontoon or jet boats) for creel or spawning ground surveys.

Supplemental Information:

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types. 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA),  and an Employee Assistance Program.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

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.  

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.

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.

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