Fish Traps and Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician
Listed on 2026-10-29
-
Science
Environmental Science, Biology
Working Title- Fish Traps and Spawning Ground Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Cathlamet, Washington – Wahkiakum County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW
!
Photo Caption – Floy tagging Chinook at Washougal Weir – Photo Credit: WDFW
In this role, you will conduct juvenile salmonid trapping, adult fish weir operations, and adult spawner surveys for Chinook, coho, and chum salmon in the Grays River, Elochoman River, and other Lower Columbia River (LCR) tributaries.
Your work will play a critical role in monitoring the status of Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonid populations and promoting the recovery of Chinook and coho salmon populations by managing hatchery-origin fish.
We are seeking a candidate with a passion to contribute to the recovery of salmon populations through active monitoring and management of key habitats and fish populations in the LCR.
WHAT TO EXPECT:Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:
Juvenile trapping.- Assist in the installation, operation, maintenance, and removal of juvenile migrant traps (rotary screw and/or fence-panel w/live box traps) to collect data needed to estimate juvenile salmonid outmigrant abundance in the Elochoman River and other basins.
- Identify, enumerate (count), handle, mark, and recapture juvenile salmonids and other fishes.
- Assist in the daily operation and maintenance of the Elochoman River adult fish weir and biological data collection of adult salmonids. Troubleshoot and modify weir design to improve weir efficiency.
- Assist weir crew in the installation and removal of the Grays River and Elochoman River adult fish weirs.
- Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries walking up to 6 miles per day and carrying up to 70 pounds; identify and enumerate adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds; use GPS and iPad devices to mark redd locations and enter biological data.
- Identifying, enumerating, handling adult salmon.
- Operating pontoon rafts while conducting duties such as spawning ground in white water conditions/rapids (Class 1-3).
- Prepare data and field samples for laboratory analysis including salmonid scales for age structure analysis, DNA samples for genetic analysis, CWT positive snouts for hatchery origination status, and otolith samples for age/ origin analysis.
- Accurately record and proof data collected during juvenile trapping, adult fish weir operations, and stream surveying activities. Use a computer to enter data into spreadsheets and/or databases. Record and perform QA/QC on field data.
- Collect adult chum salmon for brood stock using various methods.
- Collect biological data during the Deep River commercial fishery from salmonids and white sturgeon adults harvested in the Select Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) commercial fishery.
Work setting: 15% of time is spent in an office or laboratory setting performing computer work, data entry, and other assigned tasks.
Approximately 85% of the time is spent in field environments conducting activities such as: spawning ground surveys by foot or cataraft in whitewater conditions (Class I-III); operating, sampling, and tagging salmonids and other species at traps and weirs; installing and removing fish monitoring equipment (weirs and traps); monitoring and sampling commercial and sport fisheries; handling live or dead fish and sampling salmon…
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).