Inland Fish Technician – Scientific Tech 2 – Non-Permanent – *02745-25

Title- Inland Fishery Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status– Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment Length– 4.5 months – May 1, 2025 – October 15, 2025
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station– Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Based in Region 5, this position plays a key role in assisting Fish Biologists with fishery surveys and management activities that support resident, warmwater, and anadromous fish populations. Duties include conducting boat electrofishing and creel surveys, collecting environmental and fishery data, and participating in activities like fish stocking for lowland lake derbies and backpacking fish into high lakes. This is a hands-on opportunity to contribute to fishery enhancement opportunities across southwest Washington.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Inland Fishery Technician will,

Collects and processes fishery, biological, and environmental data using standardized sampling protocols and other assigned methods. Uses a variety of sampling tools and techniques to sample fish, habitat, and angler data:

• Assists with field sampling activities and uses assigned sampling methods to capture resident fishes, warmwater species, and occasionally anadromous salmonids in Region 5 lakes, rivers, sloughs, and other water bodies. Participates in boat electrofishing surveys and collects length/weight data from captured fish. Deploys a variety of fish sampling gear and research tools (gill nets, fyke nets, setlines, temperature loggers, etc.) used to determine abundance and distribution.
• Collects biological and environmental data (including but not limited to fish species, sex, length, weight, marks, origin, water temp, D.O., conductivity, pH, aquatic plant coverage, and bathymetry) for Region 5 waters.
• Performs creel surveys and angler interviews to collect effort, catch, and harvest data in various regional fisheries.
• Collects scale and stomach content samples as well as tissue samples for genetic analysis, and tags fish as needed to meet project objectives. Prepares scale samples for age determination and processes fish diet samples.
• Performs data entry, as well as QA/QC, in appropriate databases or locations as determined by project biologists.

Assists with implementation of fish management actions that contribute to agency-recognized programs and priorities:

• Supports WDFW’s statewide lowland lake trout derby by distributing tagged fish in regional lakes.
• Performs Tiger muskie scatter planting in Merwin and Mayfield Reservoirs.
• Backpacking and releasing juvenile trout in designated high lakes to support backcountry opportunities.
• Participates in lake habitat management projects, sometimes including the use of aquatic herbicides.
• As assigned, represents the agency by supporting youth fishing derbies and participating in outreach events

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: Work is primarily performed in the field but performs some office and laboratory tasks that support field objectives and fish management programs/projects. Field work may occur during inclement weather. May require walking/hiking over rough and slippery terrain in varying environmental conditions for long hours (up to 10 miles/day and/or 10+ hours per day). High lake planting requires travel in remote, wilderness areas and carrying loads weighing up to 35 pounds. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: The core work hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; however, work activities may be assigned anytime outside of these hours, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. 

Tools and Equipment: Standard office equipment, personal computer, cellular phone, Garmin inReach, standard hand and power tools, agency vehicles (including 4-wheel drive trucks), boats (including 18’ Smith-Root electrofishing boat). Fisheries sampling gear including: setlines, fyke nets, gillnets, hoop nets, hook-and-line. Data collection tools including: weighing scales, measurement devices, gastric lavage pumps, scale processing tools, microscopes, GPS, forceps, scissors, PIT and Floy tagging equipment, PIT and CWT readers, multiparameter water quality meters, creel sampling gear (paperwork, iPad, measuring tape, binoculars, personal flotation devices, etc.). Operates fork and/or scissor lifts to warehouse project equipment.

Travel: Frequent single-day trips, possibly requiring several hours of driving, to access field work sites throughout the region. Occasionally, trips will require overnight stays, which may include primitive camping in remote areas. Overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to one week at a time, may occur for training or to assist with fieldwork.

Customer interaction: Verbal interactions with WDFW customers (anglers, stakeholders, and public) during creel surveys and supervisor-assigned outreach events.

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 will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.  

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Completion of a two- or four-year degree in: fisheries, fisheries technology, wildlife, or natural resource science and/or management, or a closely related field.
• Prior experience with sampling resident fish species and the associated gear (electrofishing, gill nets, fyke nets, angling), including identifying warmwater species.
• Operating 4-wheel drive vehicles in remote off-road settings and navigating on foot in wilderness areas for extended periods without cellular service.
• Towing and backing trailers.
• Basic carpentry and/or mechanical skills with boats, trailers, electrical systems, and small engines.
• Effective use of personal computers and Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, etc.).
• Experience with scientific data collection and management.
• Experience carrying backpacks weighing up to 35 pounds, up to 10 miles, in mountainous terrain.
• Experience using Floy and PIT tags.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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

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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

Request an accommodation: 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.

Technical Difficulties: 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. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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