Working Title- Senior Salmonid Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you experienced with fieldwork that supports fish population data and mentoring others?

This is an opportunity to provide recommendations to senior Biologists regarding modified sampling or testing methods and alternative resource management techniques for the safety and well-being of the target species.

You are excited to work on a variety of projects that will provide information needed to assess stock status and maintain sustainable recreational opportunities as required under Federally mandated monitoring efforts.

We are seeking a candidate to work collaboratively with and mentor a staff of scientific technicians in the field performing a variety of different but established work methods and procedures.

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

Senior Salmonid Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) Technician. Gather data in rivers to identify, count and/or collect fish, and/or deploy and inspect field gear.

• Supervises journey-level technicians in the performance of their assigned duties.
• Conduct surveys (foot/raft/boat) in more advanced and more technical survey sections/reaches.
• Mentors journey-level technician in the performance of the assigned duties that include the safe operation of non-motorized pontoon.
• In conjunction with supervisors and Research Scientist, develops and revises complex sampling protocols as needed and trains journey-level technicians on implementing these protocols.
• Applies complex sampling protocols while conducting salmonid spawning ground surveys on Lower Columbia River tributaries to collect data needed to measure VSP parameters and generate accurate and precise adult salmonid abundance estimates.
• Leads and conducts adult spawning ground stream surveys.
• Lead worker that plans, organizes, schedules, and conducts spawning ground surveys of target species following established protocols.
• Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds.   Collects biological data from live, and dead, adult fish and carcasses.
• Installation, removal, maintenance, and operation of adult monitoring weirs, traps, and equipment.
• Captures, identifies, enumerates, handles, and tags/marks salmonids.
• Snorkels for summer steelhead resights, inspects weirs, deploys nets for capture of fish for sampling, snorkels for Spring Chinook presence/absence before weir installations, cleans weirs, checks for holes in weirs/traps.

Database Management, Data Collection, and Data Entry.

• Accurately record and/or proof data collected during field activities.
• Trains journey-level technicians on correct use of e-data capture equipment.
• Enter and proof data that has been collected into established spreadsheets and/or databases (e.g., Traps, Weirs, Surveys (TWS).
• Coordinates and oversees data quality control and assurance measures.
• Senior-level technician that trains and checks the work of others entering data from spawning ground stream surveys.
• Ensure all biological sample collections and data are submitted in a timely manner.
• Compiles and summarizes data for annual reports as required by annual funding sources or as requested from internal and external entities.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: This position spends approximately 80% of time in a fieldwork environment. Work is physically demanding and performed outdoors in a wide range of environmental conditions, including extreme weather. Field duties require walking up to six (6) miles per day through rough, uneven, and heavily vegetated areas, as well as climbing steep streambanks and traversing fast-flowing streams. This position involves working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

The position requires lifting and carrying heavy objects, including live fish up to 30 pounds and equipment or loads up to 70 pounds, sometimes repeatedly and over rough terrain. Work involves boarding and disembarking from vessels in both docked and natural settings, and operating non-motorized pontoon catarafts in whitewater conditions (Class III+ rapids).

The employee may be required to snorkel in cold, fast-flowing water. Work may be performed independently in remote areas and occasionally during nighttime hours. Adult trapping operations can require night monitoring during high streamflow events.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule requires a 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.  The position requires working long days, weekends, nights, and some holidays depending on project needs, and the ability to safely operate agency-owned or leased vehicles without restrictions.

Travel requirements: This position travels throughout Washington and Oregon to sample fisheries.

Customer Interactions: Regularly interacts with private landowners, agency staff, and the general public while conducting field activities. Interactions include discussing project objectives, survey purposes, and access needs with landowners, as well as collaborating with personnel from other state and federal agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:
Graduation from high school or GED, including one 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 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.

Option 3:
Equivalent education/experience.

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 or environmental science classes.

License: Valid unrestricted driver’s license (driving record may be requested).

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

WDFW snorkel training and certification.

Two (2) years or more of professional experience in/with: 

• Identifying adult anadromous salmonid redds.
• Identifying all adult salmonid species found within the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
• Adult trapping techniques including resistance board and fixed panel type adult fish weirs.
• Using various handheld data collection devices for electronic data collection: tough pads, iPads, GPS’s, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags.
• Fish monitoring, sampling, marking/tagging techniques, and protocols.
• Commercial fishing gear types and methods.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, etc.).
• Operating handheld GPS and data logger devices.
• Basic skills in aluminum and steel welding, bending, and cutting.
• Basic carpentry skills.
• Operating a motorboat using propeller and/or jet pump propulsion.

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 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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job number/title from the top of this posting.

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