Title- Steelhead Hatchery Monitoring and Evaluations Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Appointment length- Five (5) months – February 1, 2026-June 30, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program - Hatchery-Wild Interactions Division
Duty Station- Dayton, Washington – Columbia County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position supports the mission of WDFW by assisting the USFWS Lower Snake River Compensation Plan (LSRCP) SE Washington Steelhead Program in collecting, analyzing, and reporting data relevant to multiple ESA-listed steelhead and fall Chinook populations. This position contributes to WDFW's 25-year Strategic Plan, by supporting WDFW’s conservation principles (Policy 5004) and the foundational work by monitoring fish populations. This position will work effectively as part of a team and help create a workplace that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

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

Assist with the Steelhead Program at the Snake River Lab:

• Participate in spawning activities at LFH and satellite facilities for summer steelhead spawning.
• Assist with adult trapping and data collection
• Assist with broodstock collection at trapping facilities.
• Pre-release sampling hatchery groups.
• Summer steelhead spawning ground surveys.

Creel Surveys for Rainbow Trout or Spring Chinook:

• Conduct creel surveys at Tucannon Lakes or other impoundments for utilization rates of put and take rainbow trout.
• Assist with Snake River Spring Chinook creel surveys as needed.
• Record quality data and participate in the QA/QC of data collected.

Other duties as assigned:

• Data entry on multiple platforms.
• Data QA/QC
• Format and upload/download of PIT Tag data to regional databases.
• Assist colleagues within Fish Science, Fish Management, and Hatcheries Division as assigned by supervisor and agreed upon (e.g. PIT Tag Array Installations and/or Maintenance, Creel Surveys, periodically assisting Lyons Ferry Hatchery staff with egg picking, raceway setup, and other tasks).
• Assist with mass PIT tagging activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery as needed.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: This position is a combination of both office and field duties, with field duties including work at Lyons Ferry Hatchery, stream surveys (3-4 miles in length) in various SE WA streams, in-stream adult traps and weirs, and the possibility of juvenile rotating screw traps. Safety hazards include: slippery conditions at traps and hatchery, cold water, in/near the stream, working outside in extreme weather conditions throughout the field season. Chance of bites/stings from insects, snakes or other wildlife. Sampling salmon carcasses in various states of decay with strong odors. Operations and fieldwork may be required during irregular and non-standard work hours and under arduous and varying weather and field conditions. 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): Generally, day shift, 8-10 hours per day, including weekends. Work conducted during the peak field seasons may include non-standard work hours (weekends, evenings/nights and/or holidays) and the possibility of weeks in excess of 40 hours. 

Travel Requirements: No overnight travel is expected.  Daily travel is expected for juvenile and adult traps, completing field surveys, assisting in spawning activities at Lyons Ferry, Tucannon River, or other locations within SE WA.

Tools and Equipment: Handheld power tools, chain saws, 4WD trucks, smolt traps, weirs, PIT tag transceivers, basic hand tools, knives, CWT wand, scales, microscope, and handheld GPS units.  

Customer Interactions: Possibility of interactions with private landowner during routine field trap checks, as well as contact required to complete spawning ground surveys. Interacting with anglers and answering questions from visitors and general public’s curiosity during field activities, fielding calls from the public and directing them to appropriate contacts.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

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

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

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.    

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

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

• Basic biological understanding of salmonid species in Pacific Northwest
• Proficiency in computer skills, related to data entry/manipulations/word processing/Microsoft Office 
• Basic construction abilities

Experience with:

• Multiple types of fish weirs and rotary screw traps.
• Spawning ground surveys.
• P4 and Microsoft Access for recording and managing data.
• PIT tagging adult and juvenile steelhead and other salmonids.

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

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