Fisheries Monitoring & Research Technician - Scientific Tech - Non-Perm

Description

Title: Fisheries Monitoring & Research Technician

Classification: Scientific Technician 2

Number of Vacancies: Thirty-one (31)

Job Status: Full-Time - Non-Permanent

Program: Fish Program

Duty Station: Region 5 – Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties

Posting Timeframe: Posted until July 2, 2026. First review June 11, 2026. Applications accepted until closed.

The salary listed above does not include the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

* Multiple locations in Western Washington and a variety of anticipated appointment lengths – apply for one (1) or all the positions by submitting one (1) application.

Supplemental questions are provided for you to indicate your preference regarding location and anticipated appointment length.

Typical duties may include:

• Conduct spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries, identifying and enumerating adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds.
• Assist with the daily operation and maintenance of Grays River, Elochoman River adult fish weirs.
• Collect biological data and perform marking of adult salmonids.
• Interview sport anglers and record catch by species, fishing effort, and biological data including collecting biological samples from salmon, trout, and sturgeon.
• Implement electronic data collection using iPads, digital tablets or other handheld devices.
• Monitor and observe commercial fisheries and research test fisheries.
• Capture, identify, count, handle, and tag and/or mark adult salmonids for mark-recapture programs and distribution monitoring.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, operation and removal of a temporary resistance board salmon weirs and fish traps on Germany Creek and Grays Rivers and other locations as directed.

Typical working conditions may include:

• Approximately 85% of this position is performed in a non-office, field environment and the remaining 15% in an office or laboratory setting.
• Fieldwork may involve exposure to inclement weather and is frequently performed on wet, uneven, and slippery surfaces. Walk up to 3-6 miles per day.
• May lift large live or fish carcasses, typically up to 30 pounds and occasionally over 100 pounds, with or without assistance; repetitively carry loads up to 70 pounds over short distances across rough terrain.
• May assist with spawning ground surveys conducted on foot or by cataraft in whitewater conditions (Class I–III). Float up to 10 miles per day conducting stream surveys to collect spawning ground data.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
• Work may be performed on small vessels, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Work schedule requires flexibility; may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.

Travel Requirements: Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required with a departmental issued vehicle or, rarely, a personal vehicle. Overnight travel on rare occasions may be required.

Tools and Equipment: Basic hand and carpentry tools, winches, pulleys and blocks, motorized and non-motorized watercraft, 4x4 vehicles including the ability to tow vehicles, 200’ beach seines, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, coded wire tag (CWT) detectors, GPS units, weighing scales, handheld data loggers, personal digital assistant (PDA), and computers.

Customer Interactions: Interact with WDFW staff, personnel from other agencies, commercial fishers and the public.

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:

• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering,…