Newaukum Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician - Non

Description

Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Positions

Working Title- Newaukum Spawning Ground Surveyor

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment – 4.5 Months –October 1, 2026 – February 15, 2027

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management

Duty Station- Rochester, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Do you have a passion to help conserve and protect native fish and wildlife?

These positions offer 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.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

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

• Conducts salmon spawner surveys according to Procedures and Protocols.
• Identify, record, and monitor salmonid redds and live/dead fish counts within selected reaches.
• Walking along streams in varying weather conditions and on slick surfaces, wading riffles, and maneuvering watercraft.
• Maintaining accurate and timely field records on 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.

Travel to and from stream survey locations throughout the Newaukum River Basin.

• Driving to and from stream survey locations via Federal, State, and County roads, as well as travel on private (logging) roads.
• Operating 4x4 vehicles in slippery conditions.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Surveys are conducted on foot and/or by utilizing rafts and pontoon boats. Fieldwork is often done in inclement weather, within varying stream flow conditions, and can be strenuous and physically demanding with some survey reaches greater than 10+ miles per day. Lifting equipment and objects up to or greater than 40 pounds may be required. Operating 4x4 vehicles in slippery conditions.

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

Schedule: 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. Work hours are flexible due to inclement weather, stream flow patterns, degree of spawning activity, length of daylight hours, and other factors. Field sampling start and end times usually fall outside of the normal 8 to 5 work schedules.

Travel requirements: Extensive local driving to and from surveys each day. While routine duties do not require long-distance travel, occasional extended travel may be necessary for training purposes.

Customer Interactions: General public, landowners, and co-workers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one 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 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:

College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute year-for-year for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.