Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician - Non

Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent -

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Title- Spawning Ground Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 3.5 months – October 16, 2025 – January 30, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Rochester, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join WDFW and play a vital role in advancing salmon and steelhead research and management in the Newaukum River basin.

In this position, you’ll monitor adult salmon populations by conducting spawner surveys – identifying and recording redds, documenting live fish observations, and performing carcass counts.

Fieldwork is hands-on and dynamic. You’ll collect biological samples from salmon carcasses, such as scales, DNA tissue, and coded wire tags, while recording fin marks to determine hatchery or wild origin.

Together, these efforts provide critical information that guides fisheries management decisions and conservation strategies.

What to Expect- Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Spawning Ground Surveyor will:

• Conduct salmon spawner surveys in accordance with established procedures and protocols.
• Identify, record, and monitor salmonid redds, and perform live/dead fish counts within selected reaches.
• Maintain accurate and timely field records on iPads and iForms.

Biological Collection from Salmon Carcasses:

• Assess adipose and dorsal fin marks to determine hatchery or wild origin.
• Collect scale samples for age and origin analysis.
• Recover coded wire tags (CWT) for stock composition and origin identification.
• Collect DNA tissue or other biological samples as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Fieldwork is often done in inclement weather, within varying stream flow conditions, and can be strenuous and physically demanding with some survey reaches greater than 10 miles per day.
• Surveys are conducted on foot and/or by utilizing rafts and pontoon boats.
• Moderate strength, agility, and ability are required.
• Trail locations to and from stream reaches may be as physically challenging.
• Lifting equipment and objects up to or greater than 40 pounds may be required.
• Operate 4x4 vehicles in slippery conditions.
• This position involves working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule- 24/7 non-scheduled. Work hours are flexible due to inclement weather, stream flow patterns, degree of spawning activity, length of daylight hours, and other factors.

Travel Requirements- Extensive local driving to and from stream survey locations each day using Federal, State, and County roads, as well as travel on private (logging) roads throughout the Newaukum River Basin. All travel may be conducted by use of state vehicles. Occasional travel may also be required to attend trainings.

Tools and Equipment- Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs), rafts, axes, saws, fire extinguishers, and stream survey gear.

Customer Interactions- Interact with the public, landowners and co-workers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: 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.

Option 2: 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.

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

Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

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