Title- Hatchery-Wild Interactions Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 9 months – September 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Science Division
Duty Station- Dayton, Washington – Columbia County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Play a key role in supporting the Fall Chinook Program and the Tucannon Endemic Steelhead Evaluation Project by collecting, analyzing, and reporting data for multiple Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed steelhead and fall Chinook populations.

In this role, you will assist with spawning ground and carcass surveys, broodstock collection and biological sampling at Lower Granite Dam, and weekly spawning activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery. 

You will also participate in adult and juvenile salmonid monitoring, including daily trap checks, Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tagging, and accurate data entry into regional databases.

This work directly supports the conservation and management of regional fish populations.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Hatchery-Wild Interactions Technician will,

Assist with the Fall Chinook Program at the Snake River Lab:

• Identify fish and collect biological data for Lyons Ferry Hatchery broodstock collected at Lower Granite Dam fish trap.
• Participate in weekly spawning activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery during fall Chinook spawning.
• Conduct spawning ground/carcass surveys for fall chinook in the Lower Tucannon River.
• Perform egg picking, coded-wire tag (CWT) retrieval and reading, and scale sampling.

Adult and Juvenile Salmonid Weir/Trap Construction, Operation, and Data Collection:

• Conduct daily trap checks for adult and juvenile salmonids.
• Assist with trap construction, repair, in-stream installation, and weir/trap removal.
• Collect, record, and ensure accurate physical and biological data (e.g., species, size, scale samples) and ensure timely entry into field summaries.
• Make trap operation decisions based on observations of environmental conditions.
• Safely handle and anesthetize adult and juvenile Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonids and other fish species.
• Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag adult and juvenile salmonids.

Additional Duties:

• Conduct spawning ground surveys for spring Chinook or summer steelhead.
• Assist with mass PIT tagging activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
• Enter data across multiple platforms with attention to quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC).
• Format, upload, and download PIT tag data to regional databases.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• This position is a combination of both office and field duties.
• Fieldwork involves conducting stream surveys (typically 3-4 miles in length) across various streams in southeast Washington.
• Hazards may include slippery conditions at traps and hatcheries, cold water exposure, and working in or near streams.
• Work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, throughout the field season.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, day shift, 8-10 hours per day, including weekends. During peak field seasons, the schedule may include non-standard hours (evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays) with the possibility of working more than 40 hours per week.

Travel Requirements: No overnight travel is expected. Daily travel is required to Lyons Ferry Hatchery, the Tucannon River, Lower Granite Dam, and other locations within southeast Washington.

Tools and Equipment: Handheld power tools, 4WD trucks, smolt traps, weirs, PIT tag transceivers, basic hand tools, knives, CWT wand, scales, microscope, and handheld GPS units.

Customer Interactions: Possible interactions with private landowner during routine field trap checks, as well as contact required to complete spawning ground surveys. Answer questions from the public or visitors in the field and respond to phone inquiries, directing callers to the appropriate contacts as needed.

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.

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.

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 some or all the following:

• Experience with multiple types of fish weirs and rotary screw traps.
• Experience with spawning ground surveys.
• Experience with P4 and Microsoft Access for recording and managing data.
• Experience with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging adult and juvenile steelhead and other salmonids.
• Basic biological understanding of salmonid species in Pacific Northwest.
• Clear communication skills.
• Proficiency in computer skills, related to data entry/manipulations/word processing/Microsoft Office.
• Basic construction abilities.

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 (3) 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 #2025-06046.

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