Fisheries Technician – Scientific Tech – Non

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Title-Fisheries Technician
Classification-Scientific Technician 2
Job Status-Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length-Four Months – June 16, 2025 – October 15, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatchery/Wild Interactions Unit
Duty Station- Wenatchee, Washington – Chelan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW !

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish Program – Science Division is seeking a field technician to join the Hatchery/Wild Interactions Unit’s Supplementation Research Team in the Wenatchee River basin. This position supports the Juvenile Monitoring Component of hatchery program research, contributing to efforts that manage salmonid hatcheries using ecosystem-based scientific principles. Responsibilities include operating fish collection infrastructure, conducting fish counts, collecting biological samples, recording data, and assisting with database management.

The role is field-based and involves working outdoors with a team of biologists and technicians on large-scale projects essential to salmonid conservation and sustainable fisheries management.

What to Expect

• Function as part of a team performing routine monitoring activities (rotary smolt trap and electrofishing) to inform population estimates of target species within the study area.
• Accurately collect and record biological (species identification, length, weight, tags, marks, scales, genetics, etc.) and environmental data (GPS waypoints, temperature, survey time, survey length, etc.).
• Drive work vehicles in inclement weather conditions.
• Regularly communicate and update Senior Technician and Project Lead to ensure established procedure and logistics are being executed.
• Assist in field duties, data collection, and labor needs for other projects in the Hatchery/Wild Interactions Unit (e.g. Spawning ground surveys, brood stock collection, Fish Ladder Operation).
• Assist in database entry of collected field data. Ensure data is properly stored, organized and proofed for errors.
• Conduct routine updates with Senior Technician and Project Lead to ensure all established protocols and standards are being followed.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:Work at all hours in inclement weather; walking up to 6 miles on rugged uneven terrain in remote locations independently; lifting to 75 lbs. (5-gal buckets of water and fish and holding tanks). Use of standard chemicals for fish anesthesia (AQUI-S and MS-222) and sterilization chemicals (alcohol) is required. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days):Night, weekend, split, holiday and on-call shifts will be required. Work more than 40 hrs. per week is occasionally required to complete field activities during peak season.

Travel:Will travel locally with possible overnight travel required for trainings.

Tools & Equipment:Rotary screw traps, electrofishing equipment, PIT tagging equipment, pumps, generators, various hand tools, trucks, boats, rafts, GPS and computers.

Customer interactions:Position will largely be working with internal agency staff and occasionally have interactions with the general public.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two 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 years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Required for both options above:

• Basic knowledge of fish and shellfish anatomy, habitats, and reproductive systems.
• Experience conducting fieldwork, laboratory tests, or biological sampling.

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…