Title- Non-Native Fish Research Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 3
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Two (2)
Appointment Length- 7 months – March 1, 2026 – September 30, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Play a key role in the Chehalis River non-native fish suppression study, supporting a research initiative focused on evaluating the effectiveness of targeted suppression strategies for non-native bass species within the basin. 

In this role, you will lead field operations and provide oversight and guidance to Scientific Technician 2 staff supporting field data collection. 

Responsibilities also include conducting species harvest, collecting biological data and managing data entry. 

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

Predatory Fish Suppression:

• Conduct predatory fish removal within the Chehalis watershed, targeting all bass species.
• Operate boat electrofishing equipment safely, including night-time operations, to capture bass.
• Employ additional fish collection methods as needed, including seining, hook-and-line, and backpack electrofishing.
• Collect biological data, including habitat metrics, fish measurements, and samples for diet and genetic analysis.
• Implement tagging of captured fish using passive integrated transponder (PIT), Floy, visible implant elastomer (VIE), or other approved tags. Track tagged fish using handheld telemetry receivers and downloads data from fixed receivers.
• Maintain and troubleshoot all field and sampling equipment to ensure proper functionality.

Crew Lead:

• Provide supervision and guidance to a crew of Scientific Technician 2 staff during predatory fish suppression operations.
• Plan daily field operations, assign tasks, and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

Sample Processing:

• Process all collected biological samples, including tissue, eDNA, diet, and otolith samples, following established protocols.
• Maintain detailed records of all samples processed, including chain-of-custody, storage location, and data entry.

Equipment Maintenance:

• Maintain all research and field equipment, ensuring operational readiness for field and lab work.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Work in Coastal Washington watersheds, across a range of flow conditions. Accessing locations may require hiking on steep slopes with field gear. 
• Proficiency in rafting or operating motorized boats. Boat electrofishing duties involve use generators and outboard motors. 
• Work in inclement weather, including bending, kneeling, climbing and lifting heavy loads (50-100 lbs) such as fish, sampling gear, and other equipment. 
• This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Schedule: Typically, shifts are 10 hours, Monday – Thursday. Work schedule may vary due to adverse weather conditions (rain and river flows). Non-standard hours, such as overnight electrofishing from 8:00 P.M – 2:00 A.M. are to be expected.

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

Tools and Equipment: Rafts, pontoon boats, electrofishing equipment, seine nets, fishing rods, dissection equipment, hand tools, power tools, generators, outboard motors, radio telemetry tracking devices, various types of tags and tagging equipment, global positioning units, stadia rods, measuring tapes, computers, and computer tablets.

Customer Interactions: Interactions with landowners will occur.

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.

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 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 semester or nine 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 one or more of the following:

Six (6) months experience: 

• Processing fish diet samples

One (1) year of experience: 

• Leading a crew or supervising 
• Hiking long distances
• Using digital data entry servers such as iForms or Survey123

Two (2) years of experience: 

• Electrofishing (boat preferred)
• Towing boats with trailers
• Navigating rivers in watercraft
• Managing and maintaining computer files and using spreadsheet software (e.g. Microsoft Excel)

Three (3) years of experience: 

• Handling fish and collecting biological information
• Operating outboard motors and generators

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 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 #2026-00653.

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