Otolith Laboratory Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Title
- Otolith Laboratory Biologist Classification
- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 Job Status
- Full-Time/Permanent WDFW Program
- Fish Program – Science Division Duty Station
- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County Posting Timeframe
- This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until November 3, 2026. The first review of applications will take place on October 26, 2026. Application review is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Following the first review date, this recruitment may be closed at any time.

Photo Caption:
Hatchery summer Chinook salmon – Photo Credit:
Chase Gunnell

WDFW’s Fish Ageing and Otolith Laboratories provide critical age and origin data to WDFW Fish Management and Hatchery Divisions, tribal co-managers, and federal fisheries managers to be used in forecasting, run reconstruction, stock assessment, and scientific research.

With your expertise in the preparation and processing of calcified structures, you will conduct research and report on biological studies of Pacific Salmon and other marine, anadromous, and freshwater fishes.

Your work as part of the Otolith Laboratory Team will directly support efforts to meet resource and economic needs for the State of Washington and the Pacific Northwest, including programs focused on recovering Endangered Species Act (ESA) sensitive stocks.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Otolith Laboratory Biologist’s duties will include,

Thermal Mark Implementation and Evaluation

• Prepare high-quality, half-sectioned and thin-sectioned otolith samples.
• Use lapping wheels for grinding and polishing.
• Communicate effectively with lab team members and supervisor to ensure accuracy and meet project deadlines.
• Independently observe otoliths using compound and dissecting microscopes to identify and decode thermal marks.
• Accurately records thermal mark information into database.
• Review and plan distinctive thermal mark patterns aligned with hatchery requests.
• Develop thermal marking schedules.
• Coordinate, adapt, and communicate hatchery thermal marking schedules to achieve intended thermal marks.

Microstructural and Microchemical Analyses

• Prepare high-quality samples from otoliths and other calcified structures for microstructural and microchemical analyses using low-speed saws and lapping wheels.
• Use image analysis software and microscopes to measure and count daily increments in otoliths to evaluate environmental, ecological, and anthropogenic influences on growth during early life history.
• Evaluate and summarize results of daily growth estimates, accuracy and precision of estimates, size-at-marine entry, and other relevant parameters.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting

• Perform statistical analysis and interpretation of data.
• Prepare reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations at conferences and other meetings.

Assisting and Supporting Production, Thermal Marking Operations, and Field Collections

• Assist hatchery and lab staff with artificially spawning and cross-fertilizing salmonid gametes.
• Travel to study sites to assist with or lead collection efforts for biological samples.

Working Conditions

Work Setting, including hazards:
Work primarily occurs in a laboratory setting, but will also include office environments, hatcheries, and field sites. Perform repetitive fine motor functions for long durations. Extended periods of time will be spent looking at computer monitors or through microscopes.

Laboratory hazards include hot surfaces (hot plates, burners), grinding wheels, sharp blades, dissecting tools, and chemical exposure (acids, ethanol, acetone, thermoplastic resin, and polystyrene resin) both direct and as fumes.

Hatchery and field work may be performed…