Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician - Non

Position: Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - *00489-25

Title- Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 6 months– March 1, 2025 – August 31, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Mill Creek, Washington – Snohomish County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW !

Overview

This position offers an unique opportunity to support critical hydroacoustic monitoring efforts in the Lake Washington Basin, aiding in the abundance estimation of outmigrating juvenile salmonids.

As a key team member, you'll assist with deploying, operating, and reviewing data from active hydroacoustic monitoring systems under the guidance of the Salmon Hydroacoustic Monitoring Research Specialist.

You’ll also contribute to water quality sampling, and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging efforts, directly supporting the agency’s mission of responsible stewardship of our fish resources.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technician will,

Assist with Hydroacoustic Monitoring Efforts to Estimate Juvenile Salmonid Abundance in the Lake Washington Basin

• Maintain daily log of field activities.
• Deploy and maintain hydroacoustic monitoring equipment.
• Maintain and organize hydroacoustic imagery data.
• Assist with review of hydroacoustic imagery data to create a database of fish-like images, including date and time, length, and direction of movement.
• Organize and archive raw data into prescribed electronic or written forms.

Biological Sampling

• Assist with test fishing efforts and PIT tagging of juvenile salmonids in the Lake Washington basin.
• Collect biological samples from salmon and steelhead, including DNA and scale samples for age determination, length measurements, and sex identification.

Access and Equipment Maintenance

• Assist with maintenance, preparation, and service of all field equipment, including hydroacoustic gear, PIT antennas, trucks, boats and trailers, exposure gear, scanners/detectors, and other equipment as assigned.
• Communicate with access point landowners (records landowner new contact information), tenants, site managers, constituents, stakeholders, and comanagers.

Working Conditions

• Work in all weather conditions, ranging from hot and dry to extreme cold, snow, and rain.
• Fieldwork involves walking up to ten (10) miles in and near rugged terrain rivers and streams, as well as operating motorboats in variable flow and weather conditions while carrying gear.
• Hazards include strains, sprains, breaks, scratches, lacerations, infections, animal encounters and drowning.
• Office work may require prolonged periods of sitting and may lead to eye strain from extensive computer use.
• Fieldwork is physically demanding, requiring the ability to safely lift and operate field equipment weighing up to 40lbs while walking over uneven ground and near the water.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule

Typically, eight (8) hours per day, Monday through Friday. Although occasional split shifts, overtime, overnight weekend and/or holiday hours may be assigned.

Travel Requirements

Frequent local travel to field sites is required.

Tools and Equipment

Agency provided vehicles (trucks, boats), exposure apparel (waders/boots, raincoat, sunglasses, hat, gloves), laptop, sampling implements and equipment.

Customer Interactions

Communication with private landowners and the public.

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.
• College coursework involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field may substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the coursework includes at least six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred…