Salmon Stock Assessment Technician - Scientific Technician - Non-Perm

Description

Working Title: Salmon Stock Assessment Technician

Classification: Scientific Technician 2

Job Status: Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment/Season Length: 4.5 Months – August 16, 2026 – December 31, 2026

WDFW Program: Fish Program – Fish Management Division

Duty Station: Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County

In this dynamic role, you will operate adult traps, conduct spawning surveys, conduct biological sampling, and enter and summarize data for the area biologist. We are seeking a candidate to collect data for stock assessment, recovery, planning, and research on ESA‑listed species.

Responsibilities include:

• Walk and raft long stretches of rivers and creeks, count live Salmonids, redds, and carcasses.
• Sample spawned Chum carcasses by taking length, sex, scales, DNA, and otoliths.
• Record survey data in the digital platform FTS and organize collected biological data samples.
• Operate Adult Summer Chum traps and assist at the Snow Creek Weir; assist with brood stock collection and spawning for the Dungeness River Supplementation Program.
• Net, handle, count, and release live Salmonids from traps; properly identify species and sex.
• Clean debris from traps, assess trap integrity in high‑flow conditions, and help with trap installations and maintenance. Perform grounds maintenance at the Snow Creek Weir/trap sites/duty station field office.
• Organize trap and survey data and biological samples; enter data into Microsoft Access and Excel; perform QA/QC checks on trap and survey data.

Primary duties are performed in field settings in and around rivers and streams, requiring walking up to five miles per day over rugged, uneven, and often slippery terrain, both in and out of the water. The position involves frequent handling and sampling of fish weighing up to 50 pounds. Fieldwork is conducted in variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions. Accessing field sites may require driving on roads that are partially flooded or covered in snow.

The position may involve operating a pontoon in areas with potential hazards such as log jams.

Full‑time, 40 hours per week. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs. The standard work schedule requires flexibility; employees may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24‑hour period.

Travel is required from the duty station to river sites. Technicians will cover a large spatial area daily. Use of agency automobiles is possible, as well as personal vehicles if authorized.

Communicate with project volunteers, the public, private landowners, and tribal co‑managers.

Required Qualifications:

• Option 1:
  Graduation from high school or GED with one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.
• Option 2:
  Graduation from high school or GED with one year of high school science and two years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

College coursework in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied fields will substitute experience on a year‑for‑year basis, provided the coursework includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Valid driver’s license.

• Capability to identify river‑stage salmonids and other game fish species.
• Knowledge of the watersheds and fisheries of Jefferson County.
• Experience with salmonid sampling for length, sex, scales, DNA, and otoliths.
• Experience conducting spawning ground surveys for salmonids.

• Completed online application demonstrating how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• Up‑to‑date resume.
• Cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, WDFW employees may be eligible for other benefits. Employees should refer to the Benefits section on the WDFW careers portal.

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