Hood Canal Intensively Monitored Watershed; IMW Technician - Sci Tech - Project

Overview

Title- Hood Canal Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW) Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)

Job Status- Full-Time/Project

Appointment/Season Length- 2.5 years – Through June 30, 2028

WDFW Program- Fish Program - Wild Salmonid Production Evaluation Unit

Duty Station- Seabeck, Washington – Kitsap County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption:
Seabeck Creek Chum Salmon – Photo Credit WDFW

In this position, you will support the agency’s mission by collecting salmon life cycle monitoring data used in analyses of abundance, productivity, spatial structure and diversity. These data are used to evaluate the effectiveness of restoration actions, providing critical information to guide future stream restoration and conservation policies. The monitoring data are also used in forecasting future salmon returns and post-season assessments of salmon fisheries, allowing a science-informed approach to providing recreational and commercial fishing opportunities.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Technician will:

• Conduct life cycle monitoring of salmon populations in Hood Canal Intensively Monitored Watershed project
• Monitor adult salmon and steelhead populations through full capture weir, fishery sampling and spawning ground surveys
• Monitor smolt populations through downstream migrant fan traps and temporary fence weirs
• Monitor stream rearing salmonid populations through electrofishing, seine netting, and mark-recapture techniques
• Identify fish by species and sex, count, and apply marks or tags. Sample catch for length, age determination from scales, and marks or tags, per study protocols
• Maintain gear and equipment

• Data management, basic analysis, and project administration
• Data entry – input data collected on paper forms into electronic formats
• Manage electronic data collection through platforms such as iForms and Fish Traps Surveys (FTS)
• Management of historic and contemporary IMW data – scanning paper data sheets, organizing data series into databases for long term storage, formatting data series for analysis
• Data summarization and basic analyses for inclusion in project reports
• Share and communicate results with supervisor and other members of work team

• Operate juvenile fish traps in coordination with other monitoring projects in the Wild Salmon Production Evaluation Unit
• Perform rotary screw trap checks at Dungeness, Cedar, Green, and Nisqually rivers
• Identify juvenile salmonids and enumerate by species, age class, and mark type. Mark a portion of the catch and release these fish above the trap to estimate trap efficiency
• Collect biological data and samples from a subsample of the catch, such as length, weight, scale samples, and fin clips
• Contribute to team-oriented culture of work unit

Work Setting
, including hazards:
Field work involves operating fish traps and conducting stream surveys in Hood Canal streams. Traps have minimal cover, are exposed to inclement weather, and may have highly variable river flows. Traps have moving parts and may involve lifting and carrying heavy equipment (50-100 lbs). Stream surveys involve walking over slippery rocks, through vegetation, and exposure to insects, wildlife, odor, and inclement weather.

Tasks may require navigating water environments and extended periods on your feet.

Semi-remote research station includes an office with power, water, wireless internet, basic kitchen facilities and a sani-can. Housing is not provided.

Schedule This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule requires flexibility; may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.

Travel Requirements Travel between trapping locations in state vehicle. Occasional travel to Olympia or other trapping locations.

Tools and Equipment: State motor vehicles, water pumps, coded wire tagging machine, PIT-tag reader, computer, cell phones, hand tools, weighing scale, waders, boots, PFD, raingear, fence weirs, fan traps, seine nets, electrofishing…