Title- Spawning Ground Surveyor & Weir Trap Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Seven (7)
WDFW Program- Fish Program  
*Duty Station- Multiple Locations – Lewis County 
Posting Timeframe- This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until July 16, 2025. First review of applications will take place July 2, 2025. Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be closed at any time and candidates may be selected before the listed closing date.

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!

*Multiple openings in Toledo and Salkum Washington and a variety of anticipated appointment lengths – apply for one (1) or all the positions by submitting one (1) application. 

For a more detailed description of each position, please visit the following link: Scientific Technician 2 - Position Details

Supplemental questions are provided for you to indicate your preference regarding location and anticipated appointment length.

What to Expect-
Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the duties required. Typical duties may include:

• Installing, removing, maintaining and operating adult and juvenile monitoring weirs, traps and equipment (including electrofishing).
• Participate and coordinate daily weir operations.
• Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground and carcass surveys on the lower Cowlitz River and its tributaries and Toutle and Green Rivers and their tributaries.
• Capture, identify, enumerate, handle, and tag/mark salmonids (live adults and juveniles and redds) for mark/recapture programs and distribution monitoring.
• Collect biological data from live adult fish and carcasses.
• Collect broodstock for established enhancement programs.
• Biological sampling activities at spawning events for Coho and fall Chinook salmon.
• Reconcile sampling numbers with hatchery spawning numbers at the end of each spawn day.
• Use a computer (office and/or field setting) to enter and proof data that has been collected into established spreadsheets and/or databases (e.g. Traps, Weirs, Surveys (TWS) 

Working Conditions: 

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the working conditions required. Typical working conditions may include:

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Approximately 90% of work is performed in non-office environments; the remaining 10% takes place in an office setting.
• Work is conducted outdoors in varying weather conditions, including high temperatures exceeding 100°F and cold temperatures in the low 30s, often accompanied by wind speeds over 25 mph and wet, slippery footing.
• Walk in and along streams up to six (6) miles per day under all weather conditions, including climbing up and down steep and slippery stream banks.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
• Lift (with or without assistance, as needed) large, deceased, putrid fish (typically up to 30 lbs) and repetitively carry loads up to 30 lbs over rough terrain for short distances.
• Record repetitive data under adverse environmental conditions during long work hours, including sampling salmon carcasses with strong odors.
• Perform spawning ground surveys by either foot or cataraft – may include reaches with class 1-3 rapids. This may include snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing water and walking over rough terrain in varying environmental conditions.

Schedule: 

• This is a full-time position, scheduled for 40 hours per week.
• Depending on operational needs, the schedule may vary and could include five (5) 8-hour days, Monday through Friday or four (4) 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Travel Requirements: Daily travel to and from field locations is required. Most of the duties are conducted in the field away from the duty station. Little to no overnight travel.
 
Tools and Equipment: Normal hand and carpentry tools, gaffs, machetes, winches and pulleys, 4x4 vehicles, boat and motors, GPS’s
 
Customer Interactions: Interact with the public, personnel from other state agencies, and local 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 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.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the Preferred Qualifications and Special Requirements. Typical qualifications may include:

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• First Aid and CPR must be obtained within one (1) month of hire.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft 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:

Experience with: 

• Identifying salmonids, both adult and juvenile forms.
• Identifying salmonid redds.
• Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
• Fishery monitoring and sampling.
• Basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Coded wire tag (CWT) and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detector operation.
• Operating handheld GPS and data logger devices.

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 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 #2025-04155.

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