Freshwater Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician - Non-Perm

Number of Vacancies:
Two (2) Positions

Working Title:

Freshwater Monitoring Technician

Classification:
Scientific Technician 2

Job Status:
Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment Length: 3 Months – August 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026

WDFW Program:
Fish Program – Fish Management Division

Duty Station:
Stanwood, Washington – Snohomish County

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, you will conduct biological sampling of fish, collection of field data, and interviewing anglers to assess catch rates of salmon and steelhead.

• Conduct angler creel interviews to estimate catch of target species and incidental impacts to non‑target species during freshwater recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries.
• Perform surveys to assess angling effort, counting angler vehicles and trailers at multiple, pre‑determined river locations accessed by motor vehicle.
• Record data into iPad application and on scale card paper form.
• Sample all Chinook and coho salmon with electronic CWT detection devices.
• Classify, sort, and enumerate marked (adipose fin‑clipped) and unmarked salmon by CWT status.
• Use a knife to remove snouts from Chinook and Coho salmon with CWTs, which are used to assess stock‑specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Sample salmon catch to obtain stock composition (DNA taken with scissors), age structure (scales taken with forceps), fish length (length taken by measuring device), and hatchery and natural‑origin proportions (mark status).
• Contact anglers to conduct creel interviews, traveling by foot to contact bank anglers at river access points and monitoring boat ramps for groups of returning boat anglers.
• During interviews ask predetermined questions about an angler’s fishing experience (e.g., trip length, target species, and catch and/or harvest).
• to species and sex.
• Observe and record hatchery or research marks on the fish.

• Legibly record data from duty 1 above.
• Accurately enter data to electronic devices.
• Review and tabulate data.
• Enter data to existing spreadsheets and databases in Excel, Access, or other apps.

• Operate and maintain all equipment including sampling equipment, waders or other wearable gear if provided, and vehicles. Vehicle maintenance includes periodically checking oil level and monitoring fuel and level of washer fluid.

Work setting:
Work is primarily conducted in the field. Adverse weather and environmental conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, and walking through vegetation and in uneven terrain in and near streams and rivers to obtain angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs.

unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

These positions will not have a set schedule and will work a variable schedule, including most weekends. Typically, 8‑to‑10‑hours per day between 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM.

North Puget Sound area. No overnight travel requirements but long drives may be assigned to collect equipment.

Interactions with co‑workers from WDFW and co‑managing Tribes, recreational anglers; interacts with the public during data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public. Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated. Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the public.

Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

Required Qualifications:

• Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science, and two (2) years of experience as a…