Job title: Stock Assessment Technician – Scientific Technician 2 – Permanent – *14563
Company: Washington State
Job description: Description
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
STOCK ASSESSMENT TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2
Fish Program – Fish Science Division
La Conner, Washington – Skagit County
WDFW is seeking an adventurous and technical fish expert to support critical projects estimating Steelhead escapement in the Samish River basin, along with stock assessment and enhancement in nearby lakes and reservoirs.
Sunrise Lake Outlet-Photo Credit-Scott Fitkin
With that in mind,
This position participates in spawning ground surveys, trap and mark fish, reviews video camera footage, operates and reviews data from a SONAR system and operates motorboats to assess physical lake habitats.
In this dynamic role,
Participate in lake stock assessments of fish using various capture methodologies for example boat electrofishing, gill netting, and trap netting , as well as participate in stream stock assessments of steelhead and salmonids using multiple methods such as redd counts, snorkel surveys, and SONAR review.
We are seeking a candidate,
Who represents WDFW as a highly visible representative of the agency-getting the work done while maintaining a positive image of WDFW and working relationships with the public.
Duties
Here’s an overview of what the Stock Assessment Technician will be doing,
Stock assessment, weir trapping, and biological sampling:
- Conducts spawning ground, fish abundance and presence surveys as directed on foot and using rafts or boats.
- Identify, count, mark and waypoint salmon redds by species.
- Captures fish using common fish capture gear following various deployment protocols (e.g., gill nets, hoop nets, electrofishing, rod-and-reel, etc.) over one to several days.
- Collects fish from a weir trap.
- Identify Washington freshwater fish to species, invertebrates, and other animals as needed.
- Collects biological samples from captured fish including, but not limited to taking DNA and scales samples for age determination, length measurements, sex determination, and noting marks or tags for hatchery/natural origin spawner determination.
Video and SONAR data collection:
- Deploy and maintain video and SONAR equipment.
- Reviews video clips.
Conduct angler interview creel surveys in nearby lakes and rivers:
- Interview individuals that are participating in the fishery using predetermined questions about their experience and results and record on data sheets.
- Sample fish as prescribed. Sampling may include, but is not limited to, taking scales, collecting tissue for DNA, collecting otoliths, scanning for tags, collecting fish snouts or other fish parts or tissues.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Work occurs in and around flowing and still water, in all weather conditions ranging from extremely hot to extremely cold, rain and snow.
- Walk up to 10 miles per day in rugged terrain in and out of the water, floating in rafts or boats in variable flow and weather conditions while carrying gear.
- Walk on uneven terrain adjacent to water, squatting, bending, lifting up to 50 lbs frequently throughout the day, walking while carrying heavy loads (up to 50 lbs.) for example, Fish, equipment, tools, rafts.
- Exposure to heat, cold, slippery and uneven surfaces, sharp surfaces, hard surfaces, lacerations from sampling instrumentation or environmental hazards, drowning, sprains, strains, fractures, and contusions, and exposure to potentially dangerous wild or domestic animals.
- Navigate urban areas during high traffic volume as well as remote unimproved roads in mountainous terrain.
- Operate boats including transporting vessels on a trailer, launch, and retrieval independently.
- Snorkeling in fast flowing and cold water.
- Negotiate water in emergency situations.
- Traffic accidents and breakdowns, boating accidents and breakdowns, and all potential hazards associated with mechanized or human powered travel during all seasons and environmental conditions over variable terrain.
- Navigate in busy urban streets in a vehicle during periods of high traffic volume and long commute times are essential.
- Schedule:
- This position is 40 hours per week and requires a flexible and irregular schedule on weekdays, weekends, and holidays and may involve working more than 8 hours per day, including at night and predawn hours.
- Working Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal Holidays throughout the term of the position should be expected.
- Travel Requirements:
- Travel throughout Region 4 (King, Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties) to conduct surveys is required and frequent.
- Occasional overnight travel is also necessary both locally and around the state to participate in stock assessments and attend meetings. Expect no more than 5 days in travel status at a time, but sometimes in consecutive weeks.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Motorboats, motor vehicles, gill nets, fyke nets, electrofishing equipment, canoes/kayaks, knives, sensitive electronic sampling equipment, laptops, smartphones, tablets, identifying uniform item, exposure gear (rain gear, personal floatation device, waders, sunglasses, hat, and gloves), forceps, writing utensils and written and electronic data logs or books.
- Customer Interactions:
- Interact with volunteer workers, WDFW biologists and technicians, private and public landowners, public recreationists (boaters, anglers, joggers, etc.), WDFW and other law enforcement personnel, public and private natural resources stakeholders.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.
OR
- 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.
- 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 semester units or nine quarter units of natural science classes.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training ability.
- Completion of WDFW snorkeling training and certification must be completed within 3 months of hire and renewal is expected annually.
- Completion of WDFW Motorboat Operator Certification must be completed within 3 months of hire.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Background in biology and experience in the natural resources field.
- Experience with optical and acoustic camera systems and fish trapping and tagging.
- Able to follow data collection and data entry protocols, and to collect high quality biological data.
- Experience identifying, handling, and biologically sampling freshwater fish species in Washington.
- Experience operating a raft/pontoon in a variety of stream flow conditions including whitewater.
- Experience trailering, launching, retrieving, piloting, and troubleshooting watercraft in lakes and reservoirs.
- Experience with Microsoft Office software programs.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
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:
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our and the of working for WDFW!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to
. * Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at
. * Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
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.
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 JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or .
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Expected salary: $3376 – 4497 per month
Location: Skagit County, WA