Hatchery Monitoring & Evaluation Lead Technician – Scientific Technician 3 – Permanent – *07142-24

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
HATCHERY MONITORING & EVALUATION LEAD TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 3 (ST3)

Fish Program – Hatchery Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Project 
Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

The salary listed above includes the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2024.

We are looking for a dedicated individual to oversee fieldwork associated with sampling and biological data collection on Chinook, coho, sockeye, chum, pink salmon, and steelhead.

In this role, you will organize hatchery evaluation and monitoring activities at multiple collection locations and hatchery facilities. 

If you have a keen eye for detail and a love for the outdoors, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make a significant impact in fishery management.

With that in mind, 

This is an opportunity to capture, identify, enumerate (count), handle, tag, and mark salmonids (juveniles and adults) at or near hatchery facilities for monitoring and evaluation purposes.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, become the lead technician and the point of contact between M&E staff, hatchery staff, and district/area biologists for coordination of field activities, scheduling, and communicating with stakeholders on broodstock collection goals. 

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

Duties:

Our Hatchery Monitoring & Evaluation Lead Technician,

Conducts Hatchery Broodstock Biological Sampling: 

• Oversee and organize hatchery evaluation bio-sampling of salmon and steelhead.
• Lead worker and point of contact between M&E staff and hatchery staff for coordination of bio-sampling events.
• Organize and conduct bio-sampling at hatchery spawning events.
• Utilize a knife to cut and collect fish snouts from Coded Wire Tag (CWT) positive broodstock carcasses.

Oversee and conduct run-evaluation sampling of salmon and steelhead per programmatic objectives and for fishery management – including but not limited to hatcheries:

• Organize and conduct pre-release length/weight sampling of juvenile salmonids throughout the basin, and coordinates with hatchery, fish health, and tribal staff to ensure all sampling is conducted according to established protocols.
• Assist supervisory biologists with data requests and summarizes collected data for monthly and annual report preparation.
• Collect broodstock for established enhancement and hatchery programs.

Database Management and Data Entry:

• Maintain long-term run-evaluation, broodstock, and spawning ground databases.
• Collect field data using electronic devices (e.g., Panasonic Toughpad or Apple iPad).
• Accurately record and/or proof data collected during field activities.
• Use a computer to enter data that has been collected into established spreadsheets and/or databases.

Spawning Ground and Carcass Surveys:

• Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground stream surveys.
• Lead worker that plans, organizes, schedules, and conducts spawning ground surveys of target species following established protocols.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:  
  • Approximately 90% of the time in a non-office environment, some work is performed alone.
  • Sampling/tagging adult salmonids in a streamside setting, conducting spawning ground surveys, and working outdoors in adverse weather conditions and in environments with wet slippery footing.
  • Walk in and along streams and swift waters up to six (6) miles per day under all weather conditions, including climbing up and down steep and slippery stream banks.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
  • Must be able to lift (with or without assistance, as needed) large, dead fish (typically up to 30 lbs.) and repetitively carry loads up to 30 pounds short distances over rough terrain.
  • Must accurately record repetitive data under adverse environmental conditions for long work hours.
  • Sampling spawned out salmon carcasses with very strong odors.
  • Ability to snorkel cold, fast-flowing/whitewater conditions up to four (4) miles.  
• Schedule:
  • 24/7, non-scheduled.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Most of the duties are conducted in the field away from the duty station.
  • Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required with either a departmental issued vehicle or personal vehicle.
  • Overnight travel may be required as part of the job.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Normal hand and carpentry tools, gaffs, machetes, winches, pulleys, 4×4 vehicles, boat and motors, GPS’s, Apple iPads, Garmin inReach, Panasonic ToughPad, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) readers, and Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detection devices.
• Customer Interactions:        
  • Interacting with the public, personnel from other state agencies, co-managers, and local landowners.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science AND Two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 2.

OR

• Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of 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.

Competencies: 

• Basic operation of a personal computer.
• Ability to do basic functions in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

License/Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s License. (Driving record abstract may be requested at time of interview).

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• Completion of basic CPR and first aid trainings and required agency and state trainings within one (1) month of hire.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire and renewal expected annually.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

Knowledge of: 

• Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
• Fishery monitoring and sampling.
• Coded Wire Tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag detector operation
• Advanced use of Microsoft Excel and Access.

Ability to: 

• Identify salmonids, both adult and juvenile forms.
• Identify salmonid redds.
• Complete basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Operate handheld GPS and data logger devices.
• Attain basic CPR/First Aid certification.
• Obtain or currently hold a WDFW snorkel certification.

Supplemental Information:

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification. 

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• 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: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types. 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.

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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must 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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must 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.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

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 please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov , 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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