Perform advanced technical scientific duties, independently execute established and new sampling protocols and procedures in the sampling of coastal recreational steelhead fisheries!

Provide the information necessary to estimate catch and effort statistics for recreational fisheries management, the assessment of biological information by stock, and the subsequent achievement of spawning escapements.

Steelhead – Photo Credit: NOAA Fisheries

With that in mind,

Picture yourself hiking and floating streams to conduct recreational test fishing while using a variety of fishing methods (e.g., bobber, lure, jig, fly) to match the recreational salmon fishing fleet.

This is an opportunity to collect biological data on steelhead catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal and sublegal proportions) and hatchery/natural-origin (mark-status) proportions.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork coordinate guided fishing trips, maintain a positive working relationship during fishing trips, and sample fish encountered.

We are seeking candidates with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Winter Steelhead 19 Pounds – Photo Credit: Brook Alongi

Our Recreational Steelhead Test Fishing & Sampling Technician,

Conducts test fishing and surveys in District 16 or District 17 streams for steelhead fisheries.

• Operate single-person pontoon boats and multi-person drift boats and rafts, including trailering, launching, docking, and navigating up to Class III whitewater in all types of weather conditions.
• Hiking up to six (6) miles a day in streams and off trail to emulate shore anglers over rough and slippery terrain.
• Perform minor routine maintenance on the boats, trailer, and test fishing equipment.
• Operate GPS and electronic data collection devices.
• Ensure data is accurately recorded, summarized, and if necessary uploaded to data base.
• Work collaboratively with private guide boats to help ensure accurate emulation of guided fishery.

Conduct creel for recreational fisheries for steelhead to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for steelhead and other freshwater species.

• Sample for coded-wire tags (CWTs) for steelhead and biological data from steelhead and other species.
• Performs surveys to assess angling effort, counting angler vehicles and trailers at multiple, pre-determined river locations accessed by motor vehicles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is primarily conducted in the field, in adverse weather and environmental conditions including noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of squatting and walking through vegetation and in uneven terrain in and near streams and rivers to obtain angler interviews.
  • Climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon and steelhead in boats, carrying, kneeling, frequently lifting heavy items (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish and pontoon boats, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting, and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.
  • Driving and hiking to fishing areas or driving to creel locations via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel along streams on private (logging) roads throughout the district using a state vehicle.
  • Hiking up to five (5) miles or boating up to ten (10) miles of stream over slippery and uneven terrain to reach anglers - boating may include navigating up to class III whitewater.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, 8 to 10 hours per day, between 5:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
  • Work is performed all days during the week, including weekends and holidays with overtime required, as assigned.
  • Variable days with shifts up to 12 hours including early morning and late-night hours - highly unpredictable and irregular schedules at times to prosecute monitoring fisheries - for example, be available by phone to staff from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. to handle emerging situations and act as check-in at the end of the day.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Traveling includes driving to the work site if the situation warrants it and driving during winter weather conditions - considerable driving is required via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel on private (logging) roads.
  • Shuttle State vehicles between Forks, Montesano, and Olympia – may be required to use personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Fishing rods and associated tackle, iPad, electronic sampling equipment (Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detector), knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard, and scissors.
  • Copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.
  • The following clothing is supplied: WDFW apparel, gloves, rain gear and rubber boots / waders / hip boots, and Personal Floatation Device (PFD) as needed - required to wear attire that identifies they represent WDFW with minimum being an agency hat.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and co-managing Tribes, recreational anglers; interacts with the public during data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities.
  • Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
  • Includes possible contact with individuals who may be frustrated.
  • Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the public.
  • Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND

Certifications/Licenses:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR

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.

Experience:

• Twelve (12) months or more of recreational steelhead or salmon fishing experience in freshwater streams.
• Twelve (12) months or more of experience safely operating non-motorized single-person pontoons boats, drift boats, or rafts in up to Class III whitewater.

Skills and abilities:

• Excellent attention to detail and good communication skills.
• Ability to identify saltwater and river stage adult salmonids to species.
• Must be familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations in freshwater streams on the Washington coast.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials - your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor before you will be allowed to work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

• A current resume.
• Three professional references.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

UNION - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

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