Juvenile and Adult Salmon Monitoring Technician – Scientific Technician 2 – Permanent – *08587-24

Working Title- Juvenile and Adult Salmon Monitoring Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Science Division
Duty Station- Kelso, Washington – Cowlitz County
 
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join the Fish Ecology and Lifecycle Monitoring Unit and engage in important fieldwork, collect high quality biological data, and contribute to the conservation of salmon species.
 
This pivotal role will support the Lower Columbia Intensively Monitored Watersheds (LC-IMW) project, a long-term study designed to evaluate fish population responses to habitat restoration treatments.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Juvenile and Adult Salmon Monitoring Technician will,
 
Conduct downstream migrant trapping in the Lower Columbia IMW watersheds to monitor juvenile abundance, distribution, and diversity:

• Operate and maintain 5-foot rotary screw traps and ensure good working order.
• Maintain trap integrity during high flow and heavy debris events, making repairs as needed.
• Follow established procedures to safely handle and collect biological data from target species.
• Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag salmon and steelhead following guidelines in the PIT marking procedures manual.
• Operate and maintain PIT arrays to ensure they are working 24/7.
• Record field data electronically using a Panasonic ToughPad and verify data accuracy daily.

Perform salmon spawning ground surveys in the Lower Columbia IMW watersheds to monitor adult abundance, distribution, and diversity: 

• Conduct salmon spawner surveys on foot throughout the study watersheds.
• Follow study protocols to locate and identify live fish, redds, and carcasses and sample carcasses.
• Conduct snorkeling to complete key objectives.
• Record field data electronically using an iPad and verify data for accuracy.

Complete activities related to salmonid parr surveys in the Lower Columbia IMW watersheds to obtain information on juvenile density, growth, and survival:

• Capture juvenile salmon and steelhead using beach seine, electroshocking, and other fisheries capture methods.
• Follow established procedures to safely handle and collect biological data from target species.
• PIT-tag salmon and steelhead following guidelines in the PIT marking procedures manual.

Working Conditions:
 
Work Setting, including hazards: Field work will include wading in slippery streams and hiking off-trail through difficult terrain (such as extremely dense vegetation and steep slopes) up to 5 miles per day. Frequently carry buckets full of water up to 40 pounds to transport fish for distances up to 200 yards. Bend, duck, balance, and crawl to navigate dense vegetation and woody debris. Driving and navigating on narrow logging roads located on private and public forestlands and complex, undeveloped road networks while utilizing a Citizens Band (CB) radio. Snorkeling in slow moving stream environments where the depth is typically less than 3 feet. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: May include weekends, evenings, and holidays. Overtime may be needed to complete project goals. Schedules fluctuate based on the season, environmental conditions, and fish migration schedules. Time off requests during peak salmon outmigration (mid-April through May and November through mid-December) may not be approved.

Travel Requirements: Daily travel to study sites with minimal overnight travel.

Tools and Equipment: Vehicles (4WD trucks and SUVs), personal floatation devices, waders and wading shoes, iPad or other data collection device, hand tools (such as chain saws, drills, circular saws), fish collections equipment (such as nets, seine, minnow traps, screw traps, electrofishing equipment), fish sampling equipment (such as knives, scalpels, measuring boards, syringes), and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging equipment.
Customer Interactions: Speak with landowners or other users of public and/or private lands.
 
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 1.
 
OR
 
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 (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.
 
Certifications/Licenses:
 
Valid driver’s license.
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• WDFW snorkel training and certification must be completed within 6 months of hire, renewal is expected annually. 
• CPR/First Aid certification must be obtained within 6 months of hire and must be kept current.
• Swiftwater rescue, wilderness first aid, and chainsaw certifications must be obtained within 6 month of hire and kept current.

Preferred Qualifications:
 
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
 
Experience:

• Operating rotary screw traps.
• Conducting spawning ground surveys.
• Using a variety of hand tools, power tools, and small engine machinery.

Certifications: 

• First aid and CPR certified.

Knowledge of:

• Salmon and trout life histories and behavioral characteristics.
• Live fish handling techniques that ensure the safety of fish and personnel.

Ability to:

• Identify juvenile and adult life stages of salmon and steelhead, as well as other fish species encountered.
• Apply Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to juvenile and adult fish and to use hand-held PIT detection equipment.
• Collect high-quality biological data and complete data entry in both written and electronic formats.
• Navigate on logging roads and off-trail using Global Positioning System (GPS) and maps.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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 spouses of active-duty military personnel 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 [email protected].  
• 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 [email protected], 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 [email protected].
 
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [email protected] and reference job #2024-08587.
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