Working Title- Twisp River Weir Sampling Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 3 Months – March 16, 2026 – June 15, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Science Division
Duty Station- Twisp, Washington – Okanogan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about preserving and protecting fish while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities?

In this dynamic role, you will ensure proper operation of rotary screw traps including installation and maintenance

With your experience, you will perform field work related to the evaluation and monitoring of hatchery programs and wild fish populations in the Methow River Basin.

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

Sample adult Steelhead and other fishes at the Twisp River Weir.

• Collecting and recording biological data from live adult fish (i.e., scale samples, length, sex, tissue samples, hatchery marks, and fat meter readings).
• Safely handling and PIT tagging adult and juvenile salmonids.
• Euthanizing surplus hatchery Steelhead.
• Implanting Floy tags into live fish.

Operate rotary screw traps.

• Collect juvenile salmonid abundance data for estimating basin-wide natural smolt production.
• Identify juvenile salmonid species and conduct mark-recapture trials to estimate trap efficiency.
• PIT tagging juvenile salmonids.
• Collecting biological information from target and non-target taxa.

Data entry.

• Review and tabulate data into existing MS Access or Excel databases.
• QA/QC physical data sheets, scale cards, and DNA blotter sheets.
• QA/QC data entered in MS Access or Excel databases.

Assist with other hatchery monitoring and evaluation activities.

• Assist with collection and spawning of hatchery broodstock, fish salvages, and other miscellaneous duties assigned as required, juvenile salmonid pre-release sampling.

Working Conditions:

Work setting:

• Weir Trapping: Difficult working conditions are also often experienced during weir trapping, including long days (12-hr days are common), workdays outside of the normal workweek (weekend work will be required from March-May), and inclement weather. Collecting fish from the weir traps and cleaning of the weir panels requires walking across icy platforms and immersion in cold, swift, waist deep water for extended periods. Personal flotation devices should be worn at all times. Lifting and carrying fish boots and buckets full of water will be necessary. These duties can be mentally and physically demanding, particularly when following a long day of spawning ground surveys.
• Smolt Trapping: A variety of working conditions are experienced during smolt trapping activities. It is required that you can navigate a rope-guided boat across the river to access the smolt traps during periods of high water. Smolt traps are floating platforms that experience periods of instability and random movement, and can at times be very icy. There can be times of frequent noise exposure due to the operation of generators and water pumps. Lifting and carrying buckets full of water, sometimes up and down ramps, is necessary.
• Other Sampling Tasks: There will be work performed in a hatchery setting during brood stock collection and spawning activities. Some brood stock collection may be performed at Wells Dam, which requires the use of PPE such as long pants, close-toed footwear, and a hard hat, often during very hot and sunny conditions. Trapping activities at the dam and hatchery create the need for increased safety near exposed raceways and fish ladder activities. This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
• Regularly endure long hours of adverse weather and wet conditions with minimal shelter.
• Safely and efficiently walk and/or raft 4 to 10 miles of rugged, low-order river terrain on a daily basis and be comfortable working regularly in a swift, whitewater river environment.
• Must be able to occasionally lift weights of up to 75 lbs.

Schedule: Work schedule is typically 40 hours per week, but days worked will vary by week. Workdays will range from <8 hours to >12 hours, depending on workload. During peak work periods, working nights, weekends, and holidays may be required. Weekend work will be required while Twisp River Weir trapping activities are ongoing.

Travel requirements: Travel is required to field locations throughout the watershed to accomplish project duties. Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, training, or gather supplies from distant locations.

Customer Interactions: Occasional interaction with private landowners and professionals from other agencies. Candidates should be comfortable, professional, and confident working amongst professionals from other agencies and the public, some of whom may have differing opinions regarding the objectives and activities of WDFW.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science, and (2) two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science, and (2) two 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 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of natural science classes.

License: Valid driver’s license.

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

Bachelor’s or Associates Degree in fisheries, wildlife, environmental, or natural resource sciences, AND demonstrated work experience in:

• Handling, sampling, and tagging adult and juvenile salmonids.
• Conducting spawning ground surveys for anadromous salmonids.
• Collecting biological data in a neat and precise manner.
• Hiking long distances while carrying heavy sampling equipment in rough, slippery terrain.
• Capturing juvenile salmonids by angling and electrofishing.
• Using Microsoft Access, Word, and Excel.
• Navigating rivers in pontoon boats.

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 number/title from the top of this posting.

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