Salmon Data Support Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist - Career Seasonal

Title
- Salmon Data Support Biologist

Classification
- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 (BIO2)

Job Status-Full-Time / Career Seasonal

Season Length-11 months– January 16 – December 15

For the 2026 season, this position is anticipated to begin November 1, 2026.

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division – Puget Sound Management Unit
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

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

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Electronic Data Collection – Photo Credit: WDFW

If you’re a biologist who likes the idea of seeing your data actually influence salmon management, this could be a really cool opportunity. You’d be working with chum, pink, and sockeye salmon data from Puget Sound—collecting and managing biological and fishery data, helping with in-season monitoring, and turning that information into summaries that support commercial and recreational fishery management.

You’d also get to work at the intersection of science, fisheries management, and salmon conservation, supporting WDFW’s work with tribal co-managers and other partners.

So if you like a position where you’re not just collecting data, but helping turn that data into decisions about Washington’s salmon resources, this one is worth a look!

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Salmon Data Support Biologist will,

Maintain fisheries and biological field data and data systems for chum, pink, and sockeye salmon in Puget Sound Waters:

• Develop and maintain biological field collection databases, ensuring data are collected in a consistent and uniform manner.
• Review data collection and perform quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) to identify and correct errors.
• Assist the chum, pink, and sockeye salmon species specialist with preparing data summaries and fulfilling data requests from regional and co-management staff, as well as constituents.

Support fishery data management and in-season processes:

• Update and maintain website application tools and data.
• Assist with data entry and review of fishery harvest data
• Assist with fishery regulation review, including commercial registration fishery processes
• Prepare weekly summaries of sampling, biological data, and commercial catch information.

Assist unit staff during in-season chum genetic stock identification data collection and processing:

• Conduct field collections and sampling in accordance with established protocols.
• Facilitate the transfer of biological samples from field staff to genetics and aging laboratories.

Provide support for the objectives and goals of establishing a comprehensive chum management plan:

• Support the chum, pink, sockeye salmon species specialist in data analysis and summaries.

Serve as research support to the chum, pink, sockeye salmon species specialist:

• Review and provide feedback on internal technical reports and publications.

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work primarily in an office environment, with approximately 90% of the time spent on computer-based analysis, communication, and coordination.
• Occasional field work is required between September and December and may involve exposure to inclement weather, rough or choppy water, noise, strong odors, slippery surfaces, and confined work areas.
• Field duties may include repetitive hand movements, climbing in and out of vessels, operating boats with outboard motors, sampling salmon aboard boats, working around fish blood and slime, and exposure to bees, yellow jackets, and other insects.
• Work may require bending, kneeling, carrying equipment, and occasionally lifting items weighing up to 50 pounds.
• This position…