Fisheries Technician - Scientific Technician - Non Five

Fisheries Technician

Play a key role in advancing the mission of WDFW to conserve, enhance, and restore native fish populations in Washington State.

In this role, you will provide technical support to project lead biologists on the Joint Stock Assessment Project (JSAP), Lake Roosevelt Evaluation Project (LREP), and the Northern Pike Monitoring and Suppression Project in the Spokane River, Lake Roosevelt, and the upper Columbia River and associated tributaries.

The work conducted in this role directly contributes to the conservation of native fish populations in eastern Washington.

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

• Conduct field surveys to collect baseline fisheries and habitat data.
• Assist with fisheries surveys including backpack electrofishing, boat electrofishing, gill netting, and creel surveys.
• Collect and record biological data on fish including species identification, total length, fork length, and weight.
• Collect biological samples including ageing structures, genetic tissue and diet samples.
• Check fish for existing tags/marks and use a variety of techniques to mark fish.
• Maintain equipment and tools to ensure proper function and safety.
• Organize biological samples and prepare them for laboratory analysis.
• Compile field data, enter data into computer using Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word), and conduct quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) to ensure data is free of errors and ready for analysis.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is primarily performed in a field setting and involves extensive vehicle travel, including driving long distances (up to 200 miles per day). May occasionally work in a warehouse or office setting.
• Fieldwork is conducted in various environmental conditions, including inclement weather, remote locations, dense vegetation, and in/around swift flowing water. May also involve extended hours on boats in large bodies of water.
• Occasionally lift and carry equipment weighing 75 pounds or more for short distances and frequently carry loads weighing up to 50 pounds over longer distances. Hike across rough, slippery, and steep terrain while carrying equipment weighing up to 50 pounds (such as 30-pound backpack electrofishers). May encounter wildlife.
• May utilize chemicals in biological sampling (MS-222, ethanol, Virkon), stream and lake rehabilitation (rotenone), equipment maintenance (solvents), and vehicle operation (gasoline, oil). Must be able and willing to handle fish in various states of disposition and humanely euthanize non-native fish during gill net surveys. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Typically, Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week. Workdays may vary to include working nights, weekends, and holidays to accomplish project goals and objectives. Ability to work a flexible schedule and regularly work more than 8 hours in a day is required.

Travel Requirements:
Extensive travel may occur within the workday. May require driving or riding in a vehicle greater than 200 miles per day, to include travel on unimproved roads. Some overnight travel will be required, up to one (1) week at a time.

Tools and Equipment:
Power tools (drills, saws), manual hand tools, electronic balances, handheld GPS, fish tagging equipment, knives, backpack electrofishing gear, RFID equipment, boats, gill nets, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Customer Interactions:
May interact with landowners and members of the public inquiring about the projects.

Qualifications:

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:

College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field may…