Fisheries Sampler - Scientific Technician

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Title- Fisheries Sampler Support
Classification- Scientific Technician 3 (ST3)
Job Status-Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Puget Sound Management Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Flight Pay- Salary listed does not include flight pay – flight pay is base pay plus 15% while performing low level flight operation duties.

The Scientific Technician 3 position supports the Puget Sound Sampling Unit by conducting advanced technical scientific work to collect crucial biological and harvest data on salmon and marine species.

This role ensures efficient operations through administrative, data management, and field support, providing the necessary tools for effective data collection.

By performing aerial surveys, creel interviews, and boat surveys, this position directly contributes to data-driven fisheries management, supporting conservation efforts for Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species and sustainable fishing opportunities.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fisheries Sampler Support will:

Administrative and Sampler Support Responsibilities:

• Collect bids, locate equipment and vendors, order supplies and equipment, and distribute supplies throughout the unit.
• Maintain spreadsheets tracking supplies, orders, equipment, and vendors.
• Conduct annual and periodic inventories of sampling supplies.
• Process inventory transfer and surplus forms.
• Assist in maintenance and updating the unit’s Smartsheet files, such as electronic device inventory, employee information, CWT inventory, required training, and HR Action Tracking.
• Arrange for repairs or replacement of damaged equipment.
• Organize and maintain storage cages at the Lacey warehouse and other storage spaces for sampling supplies and equipment.
• Ensure vehicles are stocked with necessary supplies, have current maintenance, and contain required safety equipment.
• Process Order Payment Forms (OPFs) in Docu Sign and complete P-Card log.

Data Management:

• Edit current recreational and commercial sampling data, including catch, effort, CWT and biological data (salmon DNA and scales).
• Edit electronic data using the database web interface.
• Enter data from Salmon Trip Report (STR), commercial CWT Recovery forms, and age data into MS Access, Excel, Smartsheets or web-based databases.
• Organize, prepare, and file data forms for storage and archiving.

Fisheries Sampling:

• Conduct aerial flight surveys in a small fixed-wing airplane over Puget Sound waters, recording angler boat count data in electronic forms.
• Sample recreational fisheries by conducting angler creel interviews and accurately recording data into electronic forms.
• Assist the unit’s Boat Operations with test fishing and boat surveys as needed.
• Participate in special studies to collect catch or biological information for salmon, marine fish, or shellfish, including halibut and shrimp.

Historical Fisheries Data Verification and Editing:

• Work with WDFW Biologists and IT Staff to identify and correct errors in historical fisheries data.
• Cross-check database records against digital files or paper datasheets for validation and error correction.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Office work (85%) is in an office, which involves prolonged periods of computer use, repetitive data entry, extended sitting or standing, repetitive hand movements, finger manipulation, and keyboarding.
• Field work (approximately 15%) involves working in adverse weather, sea conditions, and confined spaces.
• Exposure to noise, odors, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, the use of knives, and physical demands such as prolonged sitting, squatting, walking, kneeling, and occasional unassisted lifting of up to 40 pounds.
• Sample salmon from boats, climb in and out of vessels, work on slippery docks in a marine environment and properly wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when working on docks or water.
• Flying as a passenger in small aircraft over…