Make a difference in the recovery of native fish populations by collecting and managing data that is used to monitor the health, viability, and diversity of native salmon and steelhead!

Conduct weekly spawning ground surveys focused on Chinook and Coho salmon by foot and pontoon raft on Mill, Abernathy, Germany, Coal, Cedar, Kalama, and Coweeman River Basins.

Marking Fall Chinook Redds – Credit: Danny Warren

With that in mind,

Picture yourself identifying and enumerating (counting) live and dead adult salmonids, collecting biological data and samples, and applying and recovering Coded Wire tags (CWT) or Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags.

With your experience you will conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys by foot or pontoon raft on the lower Columbia River and its tributaries.

We are seeking a candidate that respects and values the opinions of others and creates an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.

Spring Chinook – Credit: Josua Holowatz

Our Spawning Ground Surveyor,

• Identifies and enumerates adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds.
• Collects biological data and samples from live and dead adult fish – will use iPad to collect data.
• Walks and operates non-motorized vessels to conduct stream surveys for collecting spawning ground data.
• Maintains sampling kits supplies and rafting equipment.

• Enters data into established spreadsheets and databases – includes trap, weir, and survey databases and carcass tagging spreadsheets.
• Downloads information from various handheld data collection devices such as data loggers, iPad units, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag readers and Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detectors.

• Assists with the installation, maintenance, operation, and removal of resistance board weirs.
• Interviews sport anglers to record catch by species, effort, and biological data and collects samples from fish such as salmon, trout, and sturgeon.
  

• Inspects weirs, deploys nets for fish sampling, identifies Fall Chinook presence/absence before weir installations, cleans weirs, checks for summer steelhead presence/absence.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Approximately 85% field work and 15% in an office and or laboratory setting - will operate a computer, and perform various other tasks as assigned.
  • Expected to lift large, live, or dead fish with or without assistance up to 30 lbs. and rarely over 100 lbs. daily and repetitively carry loads up to 70 pounds for short distances over rough terrain.
  • Operate non-motorized craft for up to ten (10) miles and walk up to six (6) miles per day over rough terrain under adverse weather conditions or extreme temperatures, navigate wet slippery surfaces, climb in and out of non-motorized boats, handle salmon carcasses, strong odors, and record data in under adverse weather for long periods of time.
  • Snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing and whitewater conditions - must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • 24/7 non-scheduled - may work weekends and holidays as needed.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Daily travel from the duty station and field locations is required with either a department issued vehicle or personal vehicle.
  • Requires the ability to tow vehicles.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Basic hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys and blocks, non-motorized watercraft, 4x4 vehicles, beach seines, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag injectors/tag readers, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detectors, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units, weighing scales, handheld data loggers, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and computers.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interacts with other departmental personnel, personnel from other agencies, commercial fishers, and the public.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR

• Basic operation of a personal computer.
• Ability to do basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability to:

• Identify salmonids and other fish species in larval, juvenile, and adult life stages.
• Identify salmonid redds.
• Row non-motorized oar-framed boats such as drift boats and catarafts in white water conditions - Class 1-3 rapids.
• Obtain a crane operator certification.
• Perform advanced functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Operate handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) and data logger devices.
• Work alone in remote locations.
• Work well with others in both a field and office setting.

Knowledge of:

• Resistance board and fixed panel adult fish weirs.
• Operating rotary screw traps and fence-panel with live box juvenile traps.
• Fish marking and tagging protocols.
• Fishery monitoring, observing, and sampling.
• Commercial fishing gear types and methods.
• Basic operations of motorized vessels
• Basic skills in aluminum and steel welding, bending, cutting and carpentry.
• Coded Wire Tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag detectors.

Certifications:

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• First Aid and CPR training- must be obtained within one (1) month of hire.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification, completed within six (6) months of hire - renewal expected annually.

• 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: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 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 support@neogov.com.

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