Newaukum Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - 2026-06539

Title- Newaukum Spawning Ground Surveyor

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Career Seasonal

Season Length- 9 months– September 16 – June 15

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Rochester, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This opportunity offers valuable field experience in fisheries throughout the Newaukum River Basin.

Picture yourself conducting spawning ground surveys and collecting biological data, playing a crucial role in the conservation of salmon and steelhead populations.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Newaukum Spawning Ground Surveyor will,

• Conduct salmon spawner surveys in accordance with established procedures and protocols by identifying, documenting, and monitoring salmonid redds, as well as recording live and dead fish counts within designated stream reaches.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely field records using iPads and iForms.
• Collect biological data from salmon carcasses, including assessing adipose and dorsal fin mark status (hatchery or wild origin) and collecting scales, coded wire tags (CWTs), DNA tissue samples, deploying and recovering carcass tags, and gathering other biological samples as needed.

• Drive to and from stream survey sites using federal, state, county, and private logging roads throughout the Newaukum River Basin.
• Safely secure and transport field equipment, including rafts, while operating four-wheel-drive vehicles on slippery roads.

Primarily field-based, working in inclement weather and variable stream flow conditions. Some survey reaches exceeding 10 miles per day. The work requires moderate strength, agility, and endurance, and accessing stream reaches may involve difficult trail conditions. Daily lifting and carrying equipment weighing 40 pounds or more, moving boats, and operating four-wheel-drive vehicles on rough and slippery roads. This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

The standard work schedule requires flexibility and may include work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs, including weekends or holidays.

Extensive local travel is required by driving to and from survey locations each day. Long-distance travel is generally not expected; however, travel of up to 200 miles may be required once or twice per year for training purposes.

Personal flotation devices (PFD), rafts, axes, saws, fire extinguishers, and stream survey gear.

Interact with WDFW staff, the public, and landowners.

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.

Option 3: Equivalent education/experience.

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.

Valid driver’s license.

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Experience conducting adult salmonid spawning ground surveys, including redd identification.
  • Rowing a watercraft on rivers.
  • Completing river rescue training
  • Moving on, in, or through rivers.
• Experience with data collection.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for.

All new employees…