Title- Spawning Ground Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 9 Months – October 1 – June 30
For the 2025-2026 season, this position is anticipated to begin after January 11, 2026.
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Forks, Washington – Clallam County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities? Join our team and turn your passion into a rewarding career.

This is an opportunity to collect fisheries data in the watersheds along the Strait of Juan de Fuca and North Coast that will be used to help assess stock status, build fishery models, and forecast salmon returns for North of Falcon meetings.

Your work will directly contribute to monitoring recovery goals for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed Chinook and steelhead, helping ensure sustainable fish populations and ecosystem health.

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

• Conduct salmon, steelhead, and lamprey redd count surveys by accurately recording observed redds and live/dead fish counts within selected stream reaches of Clallam and West Jefferson counties.
• Collect daily spawner data, including redd counts and GPS data.
• Enter data in spreadsheets/databases and maintain accurate field records.
• Brush and maintain trails and survey access points.
• Support other State, Federal, and/or Tribal biologists in the field.
• Perform routine maintenance of assigned field gear, vehicles, and equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is primarily performed outdoors in inclement weather, within varying stream flow conditions, and can be strenuous and physically demanding. Some work may occasionally be performed in an office setting.

Drive and hike into remote areas on private and public timberlands, usually 3-5 miles but up to 15 miles on occasion. Walk along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, or maneuvering watercraft (raft, hard side drift boat, and pontoon boat) requiring moderate strength and agility. Frequently lift equipment (weighing up to and/or greater than 40 pounds).

This position will 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, 40 hours per week. 24/7 non-fixed scheduling requiring flexibility; may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Work hours may vary based on operational needs, inclement weather, length of daylight, and river conditions, and evening work may be required.

Travel Requirements: Some travel may be required to conduct business or attend training, typically locally or regionally.

Tools and Equipment: Waders, wading staff, personal flotation device (PFD), GPS, radios, coded wire tag (CWT) wands, knives, forceps, drift boats, pontoon boats, power tools, pruners, weed eater, and chainsaw.

Customer Interactions: Develop and maintain effective relationships with biologists from tribes and other public and private agencies to promote exchange of information. Frequent contact with the public. Provide daily reports of observations and project status to supervisor and/or other WDFW biologists.

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 (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.

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

Experience in/with:

• Fish hatchery procedures.
• Elementary biology and using knowledge of Pacific salmonid biology.
• Salmon and steelhead spawning ground surveys.
• Salmonid species present in North Coast watersheds, understanding their spawning behavior, general life histories, and fishery management methods.
• The geography of the North Coast area waters.
• Paddling/rowing watercraft, such as rafts or hard-sided drift boats.
• Wading in rivers and/or floating rivers in various watercraft.
• Filling out field data forms.
• Microsoft Word and Excel computer software programs.

Certifications:

• CPR/First Aid.
• Swiftwater Rescue.
• Wilderness First Aid.

Skills and Abilities:

• Field observation skills.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with the public.

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 danielle.gustafson@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: 2025-1234 – 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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-00262.

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