Title- Smolt Trap Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Four (4)
Appointment Length- 4 months – March 2, 2026 – June 30, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program  
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about fishery conservation and enjoy working outdoors? Join our team in the Chehalis River Basin and play a vital role in the operation and maintenance of smolt traps.

In this hands-on fieldwork role, you’ll conduct daily trap checks, sample juvenile fish, and apply a variety of marking and tagging techniques to support fisheries research and management efforts.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Smolt Trap Technician will, 

• Assist with the installation, removal, operation, and maintenance of juvenile fish traps. 
• Check trap(s) daily, enumerating, and sub-sampling juvenile fish catch. 
• Collect and record biological and environmental data assigned by supervisor. 
• Use various marking and tagging techniques such as coded wire tags (CWTs), PIT tags, fin clips, VIE, opercule punch, and bismark brown. 
• Perform efficiency trials. 
• Enter and error check data into agency database(s) and paper forms. 
• Perform trap maintenance as directed.
• Organize and maintain all trap related gear, sampling equipment and data forms.
• Drive agency vehicles to and from work sites as directed – may include off-road conditions and trailering.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Primarily field-based work, which may occur in inclement weather conditions, including high river flows, swift water, water temperatures down to 32°F, and air temperatures below 32°F and above 95°F. 
• Navigate uneven terrain, exposure to noise and odors, repetitive movements, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, standing, and kneeling, sometimes while standing in cold water for extended periods. 
• Duties may also include heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs. unassisted), working in confined spaces, exposure to fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, thorny or spiny vegetation and pollen.
• Transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. 
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule requires flexibility, and employee may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.

Travel Requirements: Daily travel from duty station to field locations using agency vehicle. Some navigating on gravel logging roads with a 4x4 truck.

Tools and Equipment: Trucks, cars, trailers, GPS units, temperature loggers, tablets, head lamps, flashlights, measuring board, DNA envelopes, maps, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, MS-222, blotter sheets, pencils, pens, clipboard, scissors, scalpels, forceps, computer, cell phones, electronic sampling equipment, Mark IV coded wire tag (CWT) tagging unit, quality control device (QCD), CWT wand, V-Detector, scale, first aid kit, calculator, knives, personal floatation device (PFD), WDFW apparel, chest waders, wading boots, wading belt, trail cameras, rubber boots, gloves, hand tools, power tools, pumps, winches, ladders, generators, hydraulic and water pumps, fish collection gear including nets, seines, weirs, screw and fan traps, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag reader, and rain gear.

Customer Interactions: Infrequent interactions with public and landowners.

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: 

• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience. 
• 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 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 one or more of the following:

One (1) year or more experience:

• Identifying juvenile salmonids by species and other incidental catch.
• Operating, maintaining, and repairing fish traps.
• Basic construction, using a variety of hand tools, power tools, and small engine machinery including generators & pumps. 
• Entering data into computer files and spreadsheets (such as Microsoft Excel, Access).
• Coordinating and communicating with co-workers and other fisheries professionals.
• Salmon life history and proper fish-handling techniques.
• Juvenile salmon trapping techniques.
• Fish marking and tagging protocols. 
• Organizational skills.

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 #2026-00993.

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