Job Description

Description

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Fish Program -Ecology Life Cycle Monitoring Unit

*Olympia, Washington - Thurston County

*The duty station for this position is Olympia; however, most of the work is performed in the Willapa Basin

This recruitment is posted until August 13, 2023 and applications will be reviewed regularly. We encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time when a selection has been made.

Are you a conservation enthusiast looking to make an impact on salmon, fish and their natural habitats? Savvy at salmon biological data collection, and quality assurance practices? If so, apply to become a Scientific Technician!

Chinook egg to fry survival - photo credit: Trenton De Boer

With that in mind,

This is an opportunity to assist with the installation/removal, operation and maintenance of juvenile fish traps.

In this dynamic role, you will help hatcheries within the basin during peak return days, or when spawning ground surveys are not possible due to high water events.

We are seeking candidates who will support the WDFW mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities through habitat protection and enhancement activities.

Duties

Discharge measurement - Photo credit: Daniel Trovillian

Here is what you will be doing,

Operate juvenile salmon traps:

• Check traps daily, enumerating, and sub-sampling juvenile salmonid catch.
• Collect and record related biological and environmental data as assigned by supervisor.
• Use various marking/ tagging techniques.
• Maintain trap integrity during high flow events and make repairs if damage occurs due to weather, flows, debris, or vandalism.
• Organize and maintain all trap related gear, sampling equipment and data forms.
• Enter and error check field data into agency database.
• Maintain data integrity- ensure data entry is complete and accurate.

Conduct adult salmon field operations:

• Assist in weekly spawning ground surveys and carcass collection studies.
• Work adult weir.
• Check traps daily, enumerating, and sub-sampling adult salmonid catch.
• Collect and record related biological and environmental data as assigned by supervisor.
• Enter and error check field data into agency database.
• Maintain data integrity- ensure data entry is complete and accurate.
• Field equipment maintenance and repairs as needed.

Data entry:

• Organize and enter data into agency databases.
• Check data for errors and irregularities.
• Ensure data entry is complete and accurate.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 85% field work, 15% office work.
• Work from home or in an office setting operating an agency computer.
• Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Walks up to 10 miles a day in areas of swift and deep water and on uneven, slippery terrain.
• May operate non-motorized watercraft in swift waters.
• May operate motorized watercraft to get to and from smolt trap.
• Repetitively lifts full nets of live fish, with or without assistance, weighing 40lbs or more, but rarely over 100 lbs.
• Handles live and dead fish to collect biological samples.
• Exposure of hands to cold water.
• Regularly transports 5-gallon buckets of water in slippery conditions on uneven terrain.
• Use MS-222 to anesthetized fish.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:

• 40 hours per week, 24/7 non-scheduled.
• May work weekends and holidays as needed.
• May work over-time if needed.
• Travel Requirements:

• Daily travel from duty station to field locations using agency vehicle.
• Some navigating on gravel logging roads with a 4x4 truck.
• Tools and Equipment:

• Motorized and non-motorized watercrafts, 4x4 trucks, water pumps, chain saws, power tools, hand tools, filet knives, scissors, scalpels.
• Coded wire tagging (CWTs) equipment, PIT tagging equipment, VIE tagging equipment, Microject and bismark brown tagging equipment, and other sampling equipment. Tough pads and laptop.
• Customer Interactions:

• Work will be conducted alongside fellow technicians. Interactions with the public can be common.
• Less common interactions are with personnel from private companies, tribes, federal, state, and local agencies.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

OR

• 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.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid driver\'s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and?training availability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• One year experience as a Scientific Technician 2

Ability To:

• Identify juvenile and adult salmonids by species.
• Enter data into computer files and spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel, Access) software.
• Effectively coordinate and communicate with co-workers and other fisheries professionals.
• Good organizational skills.

Knowledge of:

• Salmon life history and proper fish-handling techniques.
• Spawning ground survey techniques and carcass sampling techniques.
• Juvenile and adult salmon trapping techniques.
• Fish marking and tagging protocols
• Coded-wire tag (CWT) injector and detection equipment and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging equipment.
• Basic construction and use of hand & power tools.

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. For further information, please contact us at .

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 .

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Diana Humes at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov. Please reference (Enter NeoGov Requisition #) in the subject line.

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