Title- Hood Canal Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW) Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)
Job Status- Full-Time/Project
Appointment Length- 2.5 years – Through June 30, 2028
WDFW Program- Fish Program - Wild Salmonid Production Evaluation Unit
Duty Station- Seabeck, Washington – Kitsap County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

In this position, you will support the agency’s mission by collecting salmon life cycle monitoring data used in analyses of abundance, productivity, spatial structure and diversity.  These data are used to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions, providing critical information to guide future stream restoration and conservation policies.  The monitoring data are also used in forecasting future salmon returns and post-season assessments of salmon fisheries, allowing a science-informed approach to providing recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.     

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

Conduct life cycle monitoring of salmon populations in Hood Canal Intensively Monitored Watershed project

• Monitor adult salmon and steelhead populations through full capture weir, fishery sampling and spawning ground surveys
• Monitor smolt populations through downstream migrant fan traps and temporary fence weirs  
• Monitor stream rearing salmonid populations through electrofishing, seine netting, and mark-recapture techniques
• Identify fish by species and sex, count, and apply marks or tags.  Sample catch for length, age determination from scales, and marks or tags, per study protocols
• Maintain gear and equipment

Data management, basic analysis, and project administration

• Data entry – input data collected on paper forms into electronic formats
• Manage electronic data collection through platforms such as iForms and Fish Traps Surveys (FTS)
• Management of historic and contemporary IMW data – scanning paper data sheets, organizing data series into databases for long term storage, formatting data series for analysis
• Data summarization and basic analyses for inclusion in project reports
• Share and communicate results with supervisor and other members of work team

Operate juvenile fish traps in coordination with other monitoring projects in the Wild Salmon Production Evaluation Unit

• Perform rotary screw trap checks at Dungeness, Cedar, Green, and Nisqually rivers 
• Identify juvenile salmonids and enumerate by species, age class, and mark type. Mark a portion of the catch and release these fish above the trap to estimate trap efficiency
• Collect biological data and samples from a subsample of the catch, such as length, weight, scale samples, and fin clips
• Contribute to team-oriented culture of work unit

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Field work consists of operating fish traps and conducting stream surveys in Hood Canal streams.  Traps have minimal cover, are exposed to inclement weather (including rain, wind, icy conditions, etc.), and are subject to highly variable river flows.   Traps have moving parts, including winches for raising, lowering, and adjusting trap positions, and are subject to strong pressure, depending on stream flow conditions.  Installing and removing traps involves lifting and carrying heavy equipment (50-100 lbs). Ability to use this equipment and constant awareness is necessary to avoid injury.  Stream surveys involve walking over slippery rocks, through dense vegetation, and exposure to stinging insects, odors, wildlife, noise, and inclement weather.  This position involves working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Other hazards of this position are repetitive lifting, hand movements, finger manipulation and long periods of being on your feet.

Semi-remote research station includes an office with power, water, wireless internet, basic kitchen facilities and a sani-can.  Housing is not provided.  Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, and sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days): This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule requires flexibility; 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 between trapping locations in state vehicle. Occasional travel to Olympia or other trapping locations.

Tools and Equipment: State motor vehicles, water pumps, coded wire tagging machine, PIT-tag reader, computer, cell phones, hand tools, weighing scale, waders, boots, PFD, raingear, fence weirs, fan traps, seine nets, electro fishing gear, chainsaws, power tools, manual and electric winches, screw traps, trailers

Customer Interactions: Occasional interaction with the public and private landowners. Works with other state agencies, NOAA Fisheries, Weyerhaeuser, Skokomish Tribe, and Port Gamble Tribe when out in the field.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Experience/Education Substitution: 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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Familiarity with:

• Salmon life history and safe fish-handling techniques
• Study-area streams and area fish populations
• Comfortable working in streams during challenging conditions (rain, cold, high river flow)
• Construction skills

Experience with: 

• Applying coded wire tags in juvenile salmonids
• Operating fish trapping gear
• Electrofishing
• Conducting spawning ground surveys
• Sampling commercial or sport fisheries
• Entering, organizing, and summarizing data in software such as Excel, Access, R, and ArcGIS

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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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