Title- Weir Operations and Broodstock Biologist
Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 4.5 months – July 16, 2026 – November 30, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Cathlamet, Washington – Wahkiakum County

The salary listed above does not include the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to gain hands-on fisheries experience in dynamic field environments throughout the lower Columbia River. 

Envision yourself in the field, monitoring and managing all operations at the Germany Creek and Grays River resistance board weir sites. You will also lead fall Chinook broodstock collection and sampling of fall Chinook spawn events at Beaver Creek Hatchery.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Weir Operations and Broodstock Biologist will,

Lead field operations of the adult resistance board weirs operated on Germany Creek and Grays River:

• Coordinate daily weir operations, including staff schedules and timesheets.
• Implement study designs following prescribed guidelines and conduct complex data collection in the field in a manner to ensure a high-quality dataset.
  • Examine, enumerate, and identify species, run type, and origin all adult salmonids caught in the weirs. 
  • Collect complex biological data (fork length, marks, gender, sexual maturity) and biological samples (scales, DNA tissue) from all or a proportion of fish caught in the trap. 
  • Apply marks and tags into live fish for mark recapture abundance studies.
• Operate hand power tools and pneumatic tools for installation, operation and removal of resistance board weirs
• Operate fork-lift to assist with lifting, installation and removal of heavy materials and equipment at certain weir sites. 
• Gather data in rivers by snorkeling to identify, count, collect fish, and/or deploy and inspect field gear.
• Snorkel in rivers to observe fish presence and observe seining gear being deployed and to monitor weir operations. 

Lead implementation of fall Chinook broodstock collection for the Conservation Hatchery programs at Beaver Creek Hatchery and sampling of fall Chinook spawn events at Beaver Creek Hatchery:

• Assist and participate with seining activities to collect natural origin broodstock
• Coordinate with Beaver Creek Hatchery staff to ensure weekly broodstock collection goals are met and ensure accurate final disposition of fish transported for brood is recorded correctly. 
• Apply passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags into fall Chinook salmon.
• Assists hatchery staff with sorting in adult holding ponds at Beaver Creek Hatchery.
• Collect spawn pairing information.

Manage field data, biological samples, and equipment under the general guidance of the project leader:

• Record complex data electronically using a Toughpad tablet during each sampling event, conduct quality analysis/control exercises after sampling, and sync tablet to master Traps, Weirs, and Surveys (TWS) database daily.

Supervise technicians:

• Plan, assign, and review the work of staff, adjusting assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels and respond to fluctuating workloads. 
• Assesses training needs of staff and arranges for or provide instruction. 
• Manage personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards:

• Duties include a mix of working in an office environment and fieldwork in inclement weather conditions with wet slippery footing and alone in remote locations.   
• Lift, carry and load equipment up to 70 lbs (pontoon rafts, seine nets, buckets, electrofishing equipment and field gear)
• Operate boats in rivers with fast flowing/whitewater conditions under all weather conditions.
• Sample spawned out salmon carcasses with very strong odors.
• Climb in and out of boats and safe towing and operation of a research vessel up to 14’ in length.        
• Drive agency owned/leased vehicles without restrictions.
• Snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing/whitewater conditions, walking over rough terrain in varying environmental conditions for up to six (6) miles per day.  
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Sunday - Saturday, 40 hours per week between the hours of 7:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Weekend and holiday work may be required due to weather, stream conditions, and project demands. This position operates on a highly variable schedule.

Travel Requirements: Some local and regional travel may be necessary to attend training sessions, meetings, or pickup/drop-off gear. Overnight travel is rare. Expected to drive agency owned/leased vehicles. 

Tools and Equipment: Vehicles, power boats, basic hand tools, forklift, knives, coded wire tag (CWT) wands, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag wands backpack electro-fisher, citizen band (CB) radios, GPS units, handheld data-loggers.

Customer Interactions: Frequent interaction with landowners, members of the public, and personnel from state and federal agencies. Fieldwork may also involve encounters with landowners’ pets and wildlife.

Qualifications:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or related field 

And all the following (may be gained concurrently):

• One (1) year of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research or habitat management or research
• Experience with resistance board weirs and beach seining 

Please Note: A Master’s degree or Ph.D, degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. 

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License

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

Experience: 

• Leading and coordinating field staff
• Leading broodstock sorting and spawning events
• Basic skills in aluminum and steel welding, bending and cutting
• Adult salmon identification
• Conducting quality analysis and control exercises on large, complex datasets
• Applying adult population estimation methods and assumptions
• Handling and tagging adult salmonids with methods such as floy, carcass, opercle, passive integrated transponder (PIT)
• Basic carpentry skills
• Conducting spawning ground surveys via foot and/or pontoon raft for Pacific Salmon
• Operating small jet powered boats

Knowledge of: 

• Salmonid life histories

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 #2026-04954.

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