Title- Spawning Ground Surveyor Lead
Classification- Scientific Technician 3
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Two (2)
Appointment Length- 4 months – October 1, 2025 – January 29, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Step into a leadership role, guiding field operations focused on sampling and biological data collection for Chinook, steelhead, coho, and chum salmon in the Lower Columbia River. 

Envision yourself overseeing and mentoring Fisheries Technicians in the field while collaborating with senior Biologists to refine sampling strategies that promote the long-term recovery of fish populations.

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

• Lead and direct journey-level technicians in the performance of their assigned duties and completion of required safety and job-related training.
• Mentor journey-level technician in the performance of the assigned duties that include the safe operation of non-motorized pontoon rafts.
• Safely complete the most technical survey sections both hiking and rafting (Class III+ rapids).
• In conjunction with supervisor and Research Scientist develop and revise complex sampling protocols as needed and trains journey-level technicians on implementing these protocols.
• Apply 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.  
• Lead and conduct adult spawning ground stream surveys.
• Identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds and collect biological data from live, and dead, adult fish and carcasses.
• Install, remove, maintain and operate adult monitoring weirs, traps, and equipment.
• Assist supervisor with implementation of safety protocols/procedures, development of emergency response plans and required maintenance/inspection of equipment as identified in agency policy/procedures.
• Captures, identifies, enumerates, handles, and tags/marks salmonids. 
• Enter and proof data that has been collected into established spreadsheets and/or databases.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Approximately 80% of the time in a non-office environment (fieldwork).
• Walk long distances through rough and heavily vegetated environments, work in inclement weather conditions and navigate wet slippery surfaces.
• Must be able to lift (with or without assistance) large, live fish (typically up to 30 lbs) four (4) feet above the ground repetitively.
• Repetitively carry and move loads up to 70 pounds short distances over rough terrain.
• 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.
• Board and disembark from vessels at a dock or from in-situ settings such as a rocky beach in turbulent weather or storms.
• Safely and competently operate non-motorized pontoon catarafts in whitewater conditions including Class 3+ rapids.
• Sample and handle salmon carcasses in various states of decay with very strong odors.
• Ability to drive agency owned/leased vehicles without restrictions.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Four 10-hour shifts per week, rotating. May require long days, nights, weekends, and some holidays when fieldwork and/or other projects require it.

Travel Requirements: Travel required between office and field sites.

Tools and Equipment: Towing vehicles, normal hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys, and blocks, walking sticks with gaff hooks, knives, machetes, loppers, catarafts, 4x4 vehicles, 200’ beach seines, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag injector and reader, coded wire tag (CWT) detector, handheld data loggers, IPads, Garmin in reach units, scales, computer/palmtop computer, motorboats (typically 18-21’ jet-pump or prop powered boats), non-motorized pontoon catarafts, dissolved oxygen (DO) meters, and flow meters. Chainsaws as needed upon successful completion of certified training.

Customer Interactions: Interact with landowners in the field and discuss objectives of projects and intent of surveys being completed in the area.  Landowners’ pets and wildlife may be encountered in the field. May interact with personnel from other State and/or Federal agencies.  

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

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

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 or environmental science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Unrestricted Driver’s License (driving record may be requested)

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.
• WDFW Swiftwater training, completion within four (4) months of hire.
• WDFW Oars training, completion within four (4) months of hire.
• Ability to attain basic CPR/First Aid certification within four (4) months of employment if not currently certified.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Experience with: 

• Identifying adult anadromous salmonid redds.
• Identifying all adult salmonid species found within the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries.
• Two (2) years rafting experience using oarlocks.
• Sample designs with rotating panels.
• Fish passage barriers.
• Adult trapping techniques including resistance board and fixed panel type adult fish weirs.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification.
• Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
• Intermediate functions in MS Excel, Word, and Access.
• Coded wire tag (CWT) and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detector operation.
• GPS and data logger devices.
• Basic carpentry skills.

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 #2025-05886.

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