Title- Snowy Plover Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 5.5 Months – April 1, 2026-September 15, 2026
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Diversity Division
Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Calling all bird watchers! We are recruiting for a Scientific Technician to assist with on-the-ground conservation actions related to the recovery and monitoring of Western Snowy Plovers, a State Endangered and Federally Threatened species in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. In this role, you will assist with surveys and utilize your sound judgement to complete assigned tasks. 

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

Monitor breeding snowy plovers and presence of threats to evaluate population size and nest and fledgling success through on-the-ground actions:

• Assists with comprehensive surveys to determine presence and nesting status of individual snowy plovers across established and suitable nesting habitat. 
• Assisting with population assessment surveys in coordination with WDFW staff and external partners, including state, federal, and tribal entities.
• Monitoring nests to determine hatching success or failure.
• Monitoring chicks to determine fledgling survival.
• Assists in placing federally-issued color bands on chicks using appropriate capture and placement methods.
• Using binoculars and spotting scopes to read color leg bands. 
• Monitoring and recording the presence of threats to plover nests and broods, such as the presence of avian and mammalian predators. 

Minimize human disturbance to nesting plovers to increase breeding success:

• Placing and maintaining public symbolic signage as needed. 
• Educating beach users and local landowners through targeted and informal outreach.
• Providing rapid and relevant information to supervisors during the field season to help in decision-making about targeted threats and actions. 

Administrative duties and data management:

• Recording data in the field and after fieldwork activities. 
• Entering field data into electronic databases and performing quality assurance checks.
• May assist with summarizing data for inclusion in annual report.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is primarily conducted in the field.  May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking 8+ miles per day, boating, climbing in and out of boats, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted), standing in confined spaces, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, may 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 (i.e., hours and days): This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: This position will require regular daily travel within Pacific and Grays Harbor counties; however, overnight travel is not expected. 

Tools and Equipment: Proficient in use of binoculars, spotting scopes, and hand-held GPS units.  

Customer Interactions: Interaction with beach users is common during snowy plover work.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

  Or

Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Plus

Six (6) months or more of experience in/with: 

• Principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management
• Methods and techniques of field sampling, data gathering, and field investigations  
• Wildlife population relationships and ecology
• Wildlife habitat relationships
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques
• Personal computer hardware and software, smartphone or tablet applications
• Collecting, managing, organizing, and entering data
• Using binoculars and spotting scopes

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.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess:

One (1) year or more of experience in/with: 

• Monitoring nesting birds. 
• Banding birds.
• Mark-resight field collection methodologies.
• Working alone in the field. 

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 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 diana.humes@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-01857

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