Working Title- Stock Assessment Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 2.5 Months – July 1, 2025 – September 15, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Port Angeles, Washington – Clallam County

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!

This is an opportunity to assist biologists by collecting data necessary for the management of the fish resources in the watersheds within the Olympic Peninsula.

In this dynamic role, you will collect information that will be used to assess the status of summer steelhead and ESA listed bull trout.

You are excited to assist with monitoring and evaluating recovery goals for summer steelhead and ESA-listed bull trout.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Conduct fieldwork associated with population status assessments of bull trout and summer steelhead. 

• Conduct electrofishing surveys in Olympic Peninsula rivers for genetic sample collection, in both front-country and backcountry environments.
• Collect water samples throughout Olympic Peninsula rivers for eDNA analysis.
• On the ground reconnaissance work for electrofishing and eDNA surveys.
• Tangle netting and hook-line-surveys for bull trout and steelhead.
• Collect field notes, and review, summarize, and check for accuracy daily.

Conduct salmonid spawning ground surveys.

• Use established procedures to conduct steelhead redd count surveys by accurately recording observed redds and live and dead fish counts within selected stream reaches of Clallam and West Jefferson counties.
• Maintain accurate field records.
• Identify and enumerate redds by species.
• Evaluate redd life, record live and dead fish counts, mark redds with flagging and GPS points, and collect biological data from carcasses including scales, DNA tissue, otoliths, coded wire tags, and other data as needed.
• Document, organize and verify field data. Data will be recorded on standardized forms and entered in Excel spreadsheets and into the i-Form Builder app. on smartphones or iPads.

Organize and enter survey data.

• Organize field notes and collected data each day.
• Regularly enter data into Microsoft Access databases and Excel spreadsheets.
• Conduct QA/QC reviews.

Other duties as assigned.

• Help other State, Federal and/or Tribal biologists in the field as needed.
• Work with local hatcheries as needed during spawning periods or construction.
• Routine maintenance of assigned field gear, vehicles, and equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Primary work environment is outdoors hiking trails and at times off-trail over rough terrain (up to 10 miles a day). Work may include driving during inclement weather conditions. This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments, such as walking along streams on slick boulders, wading riffles, and crossing stream channels during varying stream flow conditions. Lifting equipment up to or greater than 40 pounds may be required. Working during inclement weather conditions can occur throughout the season and work hours are flexible due to river flow conditions and the length of daylight hours. Fieldwork requires a diverse set of skills, including collection of biological data (such as fish length, sex, condition, scale and DNA tissue samples), collection of GPS waypoints, and route finding. Occasional computer work in a typical office setting may also be required. 

Schedule: Typically works a 40-hour work week Monday – Friday; however, this position is considered non-scheduled as work hours may vary due to inclement weather, length of daylight, and river conditions. Weekend and evening work may be required.

Travel requirements: Driving to stream survey locations via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel along streams on private (logging) roads throughout the district. Some multi-day, overnight backcountry trips will be required.

Customer Interactions: Develop and maintain effective relationships with biologists from tribes and other public and private agencies to promote exchange of information.  Occasional contact with constituents in the field may occur. 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.

License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

Obtain basic First Aid/CPR certification, with completion within 3 months of hire.

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

Experience in/with:

• Elementary biology and in-the-field salmonid identification.
• Completing field data forms accurately and following oral and written instructions.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to interact with the public.
• Good field observation skills.
• Microsoft Word and Excel computer software programs.
• Electrofishing, salmon and steelhead spawning ground surveys, handling salmonids, and experience with working in swift water environments.
• Basic First Aid/CPR certification.

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 (3) 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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04070.

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