Title- Recreational Steelhead Fisheries Sampler
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Two (2)
Appointment Length- 4 months – December 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026 
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Forks, Washington – Clallam County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

These positions offer hands-on field experience as a recreational test fisher and sampler for steelhead fisheries in District 16 streams, including the Quillayute and Hoh basins.

In this role, you’ll perform advanced scientific work, independently following both established and new sampling protocols to collect data from coastal recreational steelhead fisheries. 

The information you gather is critical as it helps fisheries managers understand catch and effort patterns, assess the health of different stocks, and ensure that spawning goals are met, supporting sustainable fisheries for the future.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles, the Recreational Steelhead Fisheries Samplers will,

Conduct Test Fishing and Surveys in District 16 Streams for Steelhead Fisheries:

• Pilot WDFW rafts and pontoons to conduct recreational test fishing.
• Use a variety of fishing methods (e.g., bobber, lure, jig, fly) to emulate the recreational fishing fleet. 
• Operate single-person pontoon boats and multi-person drift boats and rafts, including trailering, launching, docking, and navigating up to Class III whitewater in all types of weather conditions. 
• Perform minor routine maintenance on the boats, trailer, and test fishing equipment.  
• Ensure the safety of self and team members while on the river by following all rules, safety procedures, and agency policies for sampling in and near streams.
• Collect biological data on steelhead catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length, and hatchery/natural-origin (mark-status) proportions. 
• Accurately record, summarize, and upload data to the database.
• Mark landed steelhead with floy tags to gather data on mark-recapture rates of wild steelhead.
• Collaborate with private guide boats to ensure accurate emulation of guided fisheries. 

Conduct Creel Surveys for Recreational Steelhead Fisheries:

• Perform surveys to assess angler effort, including counting angler vehicles and trailers at multiple pre-determined river locations accessed by motor vehicle. 
• Accurately record data using electronic or paper forms. 
• Observe, count, and identify all steelhead, salmon, and freshwater fish species. 
• Sample steelhead, Coho, and Chinook salmon using electronic coded wire tag (CWT) detection devices. 
• Classify, sort, and count marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, untagged, and unmarked fish (CWT).  
• Retrieve snouts with CWTs from steelhead, Coho, and Chinook salmon to determine stock-specific impacts for fisheries modeling.  
• Collect biological samples from recreational catch, including DNA, scales (for age), fork length, and sex ratios.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is primarily field-based and often performed in adverse weather and challenging environmental conditions.
• Regular exposure to noise, odors, and physical demands such as repetitive hand movements, extended periods of sitting, squatting, or walking through dense vegetation and uneven terrain near streams and rivers to conduct angler interviews. 
• Duties include climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon on board, and rarely heavy lifting fish containers weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted. 
• Work may also involve kneeling, working in confined spaces, and handling fish in conditions involving blood, slime, and slippery surfaces. 
• Fieldwork may include exposure to biting or stinging insects and requires safe use of knives and other sampling tools. 
• Transport agency staff and equipment using state vehicles. 
• Contacting anglers often requires driving or hiking to remote areas via state, federal, county, and private roads. 
• May hike up to six (6) miles a day or boat up to ten (10) miles of stream—sometimes in slippery or uneven conditions. 
• Boating activities may include navigating waters with up to Class III whitewater conditions.
• May snorkel in rivers with fast flowing/whitewater conditions under all weather conditions for up to five (5) miles per day.
• 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. These positions operate on a randomized 4/10 schedule, and weekend work is required. Occasional evening hours may also be needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and weather conditions. 

Travel Requirements: These positions require considerable travel, often involving extensive driving on state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel on private logging roads. May have to shuttle state vehicles between Forks, Montesano, and Olympia. May be required to use personal-use vehicle with mileage reimbursement.

Tools and Equipment: Fishing rods and associated tackle, iPad, electronic sampling equipment (CWT detector), knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard, scissors, WDFW apparel, gloves, rain gear and rubber boots / waders / hip boots, and Personal Floatation Device (PFD). Copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.

Customer Interactions: Frequently interact with WDFW staff, co-managing Tribal partners, recreational anglers, and the public during data collection, providing general information on fisheries, agency programs, and sport fishing regulations. Must deliver excellent customer service, even when dealing with individuals who may be frustrated. Serve as a liaison to regional supervisors and enforcement staff regarding observed fishery violations. 

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 1.

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 may substitute year-for-year for experience, provided the coursework includes at least six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.
• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute year for year for experience.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of mandatory job-related training and/or certification—such as safety, equipment operation, fieldwork procedures, and/or emergency management—may be required as a condition of employment, depending on position responsibilities, supervisory direction, and training availability. 
• Employees may also be required to participate in safety courses, committees, or groups, and complete recertification as needed to support the safety of the agency and its personnel.

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

One (1) year or more of professional experience in the following: 

• Recreational steelhead or salmon fishing experience in freshwater streams.
• Operating non-motorized single-person pontoons boats, drift boats, or rafts in up to Class III whitewater.
• Identifying saltwater and river-stage adult salmonids to species.
• Identifying all salmon species, steelhead, and bull trout. 
• Salmon life history and sport fishing regulations in freshwater streams on the Washington coast. 
• Sport fishing methods and gear.
• Record keeping and data management from biological samples (e.g., coded-wire tag recoveries, scale and DNA samples, inserting floy tags).

Include the items below with your application materials:

• 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 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 #2025-08376.

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