Creel Surveyor - Scientific Technician - Non

Creel Surveyor

Classification
- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status
- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 5.5 Months – August 13, 2026 – January 29, 2027

WDFW Program
- Fish Program – Fish Management Division

Duty Station
- Auburn, Washington – King County

While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Salary listed does not include the 5% premium pay granted to all King County employees. In addition to the base salary, this position is eligible for 5% premium pay for positions located in King County. Additionally, 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!

Are you passionate about ensuring sustainable recreational and commercial fish populations for the future?

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will record, review, and tabulate recreational fisheries data impacts on salmon.

We are seeking a candidate to conduct creel surveys of recreational anglers fishing for salmon in the Duwamish/Green River.

What To Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

• Conducts angler creel surveys for Chinook, pink, and coho salmon in the Green River Basin.
• Conducts visual examinations of fish to identify them to species and obtain information from anglers fishing for Chinook, pink, and coho salmon including angling duration, and species targeted, caught, and released.
• Explains survey project, procedures, and objectives to sport fishermen to enlist their cooperation in providing quality data for the study.
• Daily walks, bikes, and drives long distances along the river often climbing down difficult slopes to reach the riverbank where anglers are fishing.

Keeps accurate records of survey data and summarizes results in both a PowerPoint and report.

• Accurately records and compiles creel survey data.
• Enters data into Excel on a daily basis and compiles charts, draws graphs, and prepares illustrations to convey the data.
• Creates a PowerPoint presentation of results and provides a summary report for the creels.

Working Conditions:

Work setting:
Working alone for long hours in physically demanding conditions, climbing down steep banks to reach anglers, and walking, biking, and driving long distances, sometimes in adverse weather conditions. It may also include rowing a pontoon boat in the river. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

40 hours per week, Wednesday - Saturday. Surveys will be conducted both in the morning (e.g., 6am start) and evening (e.g., 4pm start).

Travel requirements:
Local travel to field sites is required daily. An agency vehicle will be provided for surveys.

Customer Interactions:
Extensive contact with recreational anglers on the river and boaters at boat ramps.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

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

Option 2:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience (professional or volunteer) 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 or nine 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:

• Working knowledge of salmon life history and previous experience identifying Pacific salmon.
• Experience interviewing members of the public.
• Experience angling for trout or salmon and interacting with other anglers.
• Experience collecting data in the field and recording data accurately.
• Experience with rafting,…