Title- Lead Salmonid Trapping Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Ecology and Life Cycle Monitoring Unit
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- A flexible hybrid schedule may be offered at the discretion of the hiring manager. However, the successful candidate must be available to report to the Olympia, WA duty station as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about the conservation and protection of native fish and wildlife? Join our team and turn your passion into a rewarding career.

In this role, you will collect, organize, and analyze data that will be used to understand the abundance of juvenile and adult salmonids in the Chehalis River Basin.

With your experience, you will also perform a variety of complex scientific duties and organize field programs for the Bingham Creek Wild Monitoring Station and Mainstem Chehalis smolt trap.

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

Operate and maintain juvenile and adult salmon traps at Bingham Creek Wild Monitoring Station and Mainstem Chehalis:

• Install, remove, operate, and maintain juvenile and adult fish traps.
• Contact private landowners, tribal representatives, and other state and federal agencies for permission to gain access to trapping locations.
• Assist with training efforts for all sampling techniques and protocols and recommend new or modified sampling techniques.
• Help plan weekly schedules, lead daily crew activities, and modify survey protocols and/or schedule surveys based on weather and river conditions.
• Check the trap(s) daily, counting, marking, and sub-sampling juvenile and adult fish catch according to established protocols.
• Collect and record biological and environmental data using established protocols.
• Keep supervisor informed daily on the status of work projects, reporting any emerging issues.

Data Management:

• Lead data collection, data Quality Assurance/Control (QA/QC), and database management for trapping data.
• Organize collected biological samples and maintain detailed and accurate records of collections.
• Assist with the preparation of data for analysis and reports to meet project deliverables.

Administrative Tasks:

• Assist in the recruitment of lower-level non-permanent technicians.
• Ensure non-permanent technicians are up to date on required training.
• Ensure agency vehicles are maintained, and mileage is reported monthly. 
• Ensure purchases are properly recorded and submitted in a timely manner.

Equipment Maintenance:

• Ensure all research equipment is maintained and in good operating order. 
• Ensure inventoried equipment is accounted for, properly stored, and organized.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed approximately 70% in the field and 30% in an office environment (telework eligible for up to 80% office work).

• Adult salmonid sampling is performed in inclement weather and cold water for several hours at a time, including during high river flows. Data recording and fish identification/handling requires dexterity and acute vision, especially for fin-marking, tagging, and collecting biological samples. Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, and lifting. Handle and relocate adult salmonids that weigh up to 40 pounds. Safely use various chemicals including Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS-222).
• Smolt traps are accessed by traversing slippery terrain, operating small watercraft, climbing over railings, and maintaining balance on a moving deck in sometimes harsh weather conditions. The traps have moving parts which are under heavy load, including a stream-flow-driven rotating cone and debris drum, and winches for raising and lowering the traps.
• May operate motorized or non-motorized (such as kayaks or inflatable pontoon boats) watercraft depending on experience. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: Travel occurs from the office to sampling sites using WDFW vehicles. Some local and regional travel is necessary to pick up sampling gear and attend trainings. Overnight travel is extremely rare but may occur to attend workshops and conferences.  

Tools and Equipment: Temperature loggers, field gear, fish sampling gear, 5-gallon buckets of water, hand and power tools. Flatbed trailer, watercraft, winches, motor vehicles. Desktops, laptops, smart phones, electronic tablets.

Customer Interactions: Interact with the public on a regular basis while conducting fieldwork, occasionally encountering those who are non-compliant or not cooperative. Coordinate regularly with landowners.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:
Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science
  AND
Four (4) 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
Four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, 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.

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

Experience:

• With mechanics, fabrication, installation, operation, and maintenance of juvenile and adult fish traps.
• Using fish tagging techniques, such as Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) and Coded Wire Tag (CWT).
• Operating and/or working in and around boats and trailers.
• Towing/trailering boats and/or trailers (i.e. flatbeds).
• Using handheld electronic data collection devices in the field and entering data (using platforms such as iForms or Survey 123).
• With Microsoft Office applications (such as Access, Teams, Excel, and Power Apps).

Ability to:

• Identify juvenile and adult salmonids and other incidental catch using a taxonomic key or field guide.
• Operate, maintain, and repair fish traps.
• Use a variety of hand tools, power tools, and small engine machinery, including generators, pumps, and outboard motors.
• Manage workloads and schedules for field crews, organize and prioritize tasks, and work efficiently.
• Negotiate resolution of disputes between competing parties.
• Be mindful and safety conscious, including reminding others of appropriate safety practices to minimize the likelihood of accidents.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

Certifications:

• First Aid/CPR/AED Certified.

Your application must 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 danielle.gustafson@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: 2026-1234 – 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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-01074.

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