Creel Surveyor - Scientific Technician - Non

Creel Surveyor

This position is with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Fish Program – Fish Management Division, located in Auburn, Washington – King County. The role is full-time/non-permanent, with a 5.5-month appointment from August 13, 2026, to January 29, 2027.

The position involves conducting creel surveys of recreational anglers fishing for Chinook, pink, and coho salmon in the Duwamish/Green River. This includes conducting visual examinations of fish to identify them to species and obtaining information from anglers about their fishing activities. The role also requires keeping accurate records of survey data and summarizing results in PowerPoint presentations and reports.

The work setting involves working alone for long hours in physically demanding conditions, often climbing down difficult slopes to reach the riverbank where anglers are fishing. 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.

The schedule is 40 hours per week, Wednesday - Saturday, with surveys conducted both in the morning (e.g., 6am start) and evening (e.g., 4pm start). Local travel to field sites is required daily, and an agency vehicle will be provided for surveys. Extensive contact with recreational anglers on the river and boaters at boat ramps is also part of the job.

Required qualifications include 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 or two (2) years of laboratory or field experience (professional or volunteer) as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist. 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.

A valid driver's license is also required.

Preferred qualifications include 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, kayaking, or similar activity on the water, research and gathering information, recordkeeping, using personal computers, and the ability to work independently with very little oversight.

Your application must include a completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements, an up-to-date resume, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate, and at least three (3) professional references with current contact information.