Working Title- Salmon Stock Assessment Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 5 Months – August 4, 2025 – December 31, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Bellingham, Washington – Whatcom County

The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will provide technical field support collecting spawning ground data on salmonids on the Nooksack River and North Puget Sound Independent Tributaries for stock assessment and fishery management purposes.

In this dynamic role, you will collect data used to develop escapement estimates, pre-season forecasts and evaluate progress toward regionally important salmon recovery goals.

We are seeking a candidate to conduct spawning ground surveys to collect, organize, and compile biological data.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Salmon Stock Assessment Surveys.

• Conducts spawning ground surveys for Chinook, pink, coho, and chum salmon on the Nooksack River and independent drainages throughout Whatcom County. Walks (up to 10 miles per day) or rafts sections of these rivers and tributaries.  Rafting will include the use of single person and two-person pontoons in up to class III whitewater.
• Accurately identifies, enumerates and records observations of freshwater stage adult salmonids, salmonid redds and other freshwater fish species.
• Collects biological data and samples from salmonid carcasses under various field conditions.
• Monitoring (creeling) sport fisheries and sampling catch.

Data Compilation.

• Reviews data collected to ensure it is accurate, complete, legible, and organized.
• Prepares, organizes, and inventories biological samples including but not limited to DNA samples, scale cards, otolith collections, and snouts.
• Occasionally enters field data into Microsoft Excel, Access, or other software.

Field Equipment and Office Maintenance.

• Ensures field equipment is working properly and notifies supervisor of issues immediately.
• Maintains equipment used in data collection including rafts and sampling gear. Keeps vehicles and office clean and organized.
• Performs office functions such as filing, copying, and scanning
• Checks and replenishes fluid levels in vehicle between oil changes and alert supervisor of any vehicle issues.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is performed almost entirely outdoors in all seasons and in all weather conditions.  Work is often performed independently in remote locations with no cell service in and around swift water. This position involves working in and near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Use of rafts, pontoons, and bicycles. Position requires physical ability to perform prolonged periods of squatting, stooping, sitting, standing for hours, walking on rugged, slippery, steep and/or uneven ground and hiking through rugged forested terrain; manual dexterity, hand-eye coordination, and upper body strength for loading, unloading and rowing rafts in swift water up to class 3 whitewater.

Schedule: This position will report to the duty station Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week. Occasionally irregular hours, weekend and holiday shifts will occur.

Travel requirements: Requires regular travel throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties; occasional in-state travel for meetings or trainings and to Olympia to pick up supplies or deliver samples.

Customer Interactions: Interact with other WDFW personnel, public and private landowners, local government, co-managers, anglers, boaters, hikers, volunteers, and WDFW enforcement personnel.

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 will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

License:  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:

• Bachelors or Associates degree in Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or 2 years of related work experience in Fisheries Biology.
• Professional or volunteer experience collecting biological data from adult salmonids such as CWT snouts, scales, otoliths, DNA samples, and fork lengths.
• Experience operating pontoons, rafts, or drift boats in swift water up to class III.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to clearly relay important information to supervisor.
• Experience safely wading remote streams in thigh to waist deep water.
• Experience carrying up to 75 lbs. of equipment short distances to access sites and over logjams (e.g. portaging and carrying equipment to site).
• Experience walking many miles (~12 miles) in streams and through rugged terrain.
• Professional or volunteer experience as a salmonid spawning ground surveyor.
• Geographic knowledge of the Nooksack River, Whatcom and Skagit counties.
• Experience entering biological field data using Microsoft Excel.

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 Cheri.Potter@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 emailJayme.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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.govand reference job #2025-04211.

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