Hatchery Monitoring & Evaluation Lead Technician – Scientific Technician 3 – Permanent – *07268-24

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
MONITORING & EVALUATION (M&E) TECHNICIAN LEAD
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 3

Fish Program – Hatcheries Division
La Conner, Washington – Skagit County

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

This position may be eligible for telework.  The default assigned work location for this position is in La Conner, Washington.  Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.

Support WDFW’s mission through monitoring and evaluating sampling and data collection at WDFW hatchery facilities in Region 4.

Monitor and evaluate the manner in which salmonid species are handled by WDFW in various life stages: broodstock collection, egg take, rearing, juvenile mark recapture, and releasal to meet ESA permit requirements.

In this dynamic role, you will lead a staff of Scientific Technician 2’s in the field and train them to sample Chinook, coho, sockeye, chum, pink salmon and steelhead at hactheries, fish traps, and spwaning grounds.

With your experience, you will train and assist Scientific Technician 2’s with utilizing the M&E database, data entry, QA/QC, and analysis.

You are excited to serve as a main point of contact with regional hatchery staff to schedule bio-sampling.

Duties:

Here are some things you will do in this role:
Data Analysis (Maintain M & E database long-term run-evaluation, broodstock, and stock assessment data): 

• Organize the QA and QC of entered data.  Ensures data collected is entered into established local databases and uploads regional data into regional databases.
• Retrieves supplemental data analysis (scale ages, PIT data, CWT data) from regional or agency databases and updates local office databases in a timely manner when requested by the M & E biologist.
• Summarizes collected data in a meaningful way (tables, charts, and graphs) for their supervisor to use in monthly and annual reports, and in response to data requests from within or outside our agency.

Field Crew Lead (Oversee and organize hatchery evaluation bio-sampling of salmon and steelhead): 

• As crew lead, coordinate M & E staff to sample at hatcheries during bio-sampling events.
• Organizes and conducts 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.      
• Train M & E staff to take biological samples from salmon and steelhead (Scales, CWTs, PIT tags, lengths, Otoliths, and DNA).

Field Crew Lead: 

• Trains others in the sampling protocols and procedures, and checks the data collected for accuracy and completeness.
• Manages personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc., in a positive manner for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of a work unit.
• Participates in team meeting, communicates status of ongoing projects, and coordinates work schedules with the team for the purpose of maintaining open communication.
• Assist with staff evaluation and develops training plans to improve efficiency.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Primary fieldwork is conducted in Region 4 at hatchery facilities and in the field with 30% of their time spent in an office environment. Field work will predominantly occur at hatcheries around raceways or holding ponds. Temperature of the water and external atmosphere will fluctuate (i.e., snow, rain, cold, heat), so the applicant must be willing to work in all conditions. Navigating rivers and streams walking uneven or rugged terrain in and out of water up to 3 miles. The ability to lift at least 50 lbs. and stand for long periods of time in the water or on land to sample fish.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
  • Schedule may shift as needed to meet program goals and objectives.
  • Position may be required to work nights, weekends, or holidays.
  • Work may include night shifts working juvenile smolt traps or monitoring adult fish weir(s).
• Travel Requirements:
  • Daily/Weekly travel to hatchery facilities within Region 4 and remote stream survey locations, etc.
  • Use of an agency vehicle when applicable or personal vehicle with the option of mileage reimbursement based on agency standards.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • PIT tag readers, CWT wands/readers, bio-sampling equipment (knives, scissors, tweezers, hemostats, measuring tape, and iPad), electrofishing equipment, exposure apparel (raincoat and pants, hat, waders/boots), and laptop.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Candidates should be comfortable, professional, and confident working amongst and coordinating with professionals from other agencies and members of the general public.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science, and four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.

Or

• Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science, and four (4) 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 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of natural science classes.

License:

• Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Swiftwater Training (within 6 months of hire).
• First Aid and CPR Training (within 6 month of hire).
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

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

• Completion of a two-year associate degree or four-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
• Strong computer skills using Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access.
• Skilled in using PIT tag detectors and injectors and CWT wands.
• Knowledge of salmon and steelhead life histories in Puget Sound Watersheds.
• Experienced in collection/organization/interpretation/summarization of various biological data of salmonids collected at various life stages.

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 Cheri.Weld@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 Cheri.Weld@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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