Lead Salmonid Trapping Technician - Scientific Technician

Overview

Title- Lead Salmonid Trapping Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 3

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Ecology and Life Cycle Monitoring Unit

Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Hybrid/Telework- A flexible hybrid schedule may be offered at the discretion of the hiring manager. However, the successful candidate must be available to report to the Olympia, WA duty station as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption:
Measuring Juvenile Chinook – Photo Credit: WDFW

In this role, you will collect, organize, and analyze data that will be used to understand the abundance of juvenile and adult salmonids in the Chehalis River Basin. You will also perform a variety of complex scientific duties and organize field programs for the Bingham Creek Wild Monitoring Station and Mainstem Chehalis smolt trap.

• Operate and maintain juvenile and adult salmon traps at Bingham Creek Wild Monitoring Station and Mainstem Chehalis
• Install, remove, operate, and maintain juvenile and adult fish traps
• Contact private landowners, tribal representatives, and other state and federal agencies for permission to gain access to trapping locations
• Assist with training efforts for all sampling techniques and protocols and recommend new or modified sampling techniques
• Help plan weekly schedules, lead daily crew activities, and modify survey protocols and/or schedule surveys based on weather and river conditions
• Check the trap(s) daily, counting, marking, and sub-sampling juvenile and adult fish catch according to established protocols
• Collect and record biological and environmental data using established protocols
• Keep supervisor informed daily on the status of work projects, reporting any emerging issues

• Lead data collection, data QA/QC, and database management for trapping data
• Organize collected biological samples and maintain detailed and accurate records of collections
• Assist with the preparation of data for analysis and reports to meet project deliverables

• Assist in the recruitment of lower-level non-permanent technicians
• Ensure non-permanent technicians are up to date on required training
• Ensure agency vehicles are maintained, and mileage is reported monthly
• Ensure purchases are properly recorded and submitted in a timely manner

• Ensure all research equipment is maintained and in good operating order
• Ensure inventoried equipment is accounted for, properly stored, and organized

Work is performed approximately 70% in the field and 30% in an office environment (telework eligible for up to 80% office work). Adult salmonid sampling is performed in inclement weather and cold water for several hours at a time, including during high river flows. Data recording and fish identification/handling requires dexterity and acute vision, especially for fin-marking, tagging, and collecting biological samples.

Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, and lifting. Handle and relocate adult salmonids that weigh up to 40 pounds. Safely use various chemicals including Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS-222).

Smolt traps are accessed by traversing slippery terrain, operating small watercraft, climbing over railings, and maintaining balance on a moving deck in sometimes harsh weather conditions. The traps have moving parts which are under heavy load, including a stream-flow-driven rotating cone and debris drum, and winches for raising and lowering the traps. May operate motorized or non-motorized watercraft depending on experience.

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: Travel occurs from the office to sampling sites using WDFW vehicles. Some local and regional travel is necessary to pick up sampling gear and attend…