Spawner Survey Technician – Scientific Tech 2 – Non-Permanent -Three openings – *06109-24

Three (3) OPENINGS

FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT
SPAWNER SURVEY TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Fish Program – Region 4
La Conner, Washington – Skagit County

This recruitment is posted until June 10, 2024, and applications will be reviewed regularly.  We encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time when a selection has been made.

Anticipated Appointment Length: 6 months
May 16, 2024 – November 15, 2024

Join us in the heart of the Skagit River Basin as a Spawner Survey Technician! Your main role will be providing technical support in the field, collecting and organizing essential data on the spawning grounds for anadromous fish stocks. This data is crucial for meeting our stock assessment needs, conservation goals, and fishery management objectives.  

In this position, you’ll balance independent work and collaboration, conducting spawning ground surveys, sampling fish, and maintaining detailed records daily. You’ll operate boats and other equipment safely and effectively to ensure tasks are completed efficiently.

Duties

Here is some of what you will be doing, 

• Conduct stock assessment surveys and biological sampling of anadromous species throughout District 14.
• Hike or boat (via cataraft  and jet sled) sections of the Skagit basin and independent tributaries.
• Accurately identify freshwater stage adult salmonids and other species.
• Record and enumerate observations of salmon redds, salmon species, and survey conditions.
• Biological sampling of fish carcasses regardless of condition.
• Clearly and concisely record data collected during surveys using paper and electronic methods.
• Accurately collect and record basic resource and fishery information into prescribed electronic or written form.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work occurs all seasons in all weather and in all conditions from extreme heat to extreme cold and snow.
  • Often work is performed in remote locations without cellular service independently and in and around moving water. The agency will provide emergency communication devices for staff working independently.
  • Work is almost always in, on, or around water (moving or not).
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
  • Hazards include but are not limited to exposure to heat, cold, slippery, uneven surfaces, sharp surfaces, hard surfaces.      
  • Potential exposure to potentially dangerous wild or domestic animals, biting or stinging insects, and encounters with people who may be hostile and combative.
  • Any and all hazards associated with mechanized or human powered travel (car, boat, ATV) during all seasons and environmental conditions.
  • Carry up to 75 lbs of equipment short distances to access sites and over log jams (e.g. portaging and carrying equipment to site).
  • Employee will hike many miles (~ 12 mi) in large streams and through rugged terrain.
• Schedule:
  • Usually Monday – Friday, core hours but split shifts, overtime, overnight, weekend and holiday work may be assigned.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Mostly in-state for trainings and conferences but possible some out of State required, expect no more than 3 days in travel status.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Catarafts, jet sleds, vehicles, ATV’s, chainsaws, knives, sensitive electronic sampling equipment, computers, laptops, waders, cold weather exposure gear, hot weather clothing, forceps, writing utensils and written and electronic data logs or books.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Volunteer workers, WDFW and Tribal biologists and technicians, private and public landowners, public recreationists; boaters, anglers, hikers. WDFW law enforcement officers. Public and private natural resources stakeholders.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduation from high school or GED, including one 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 year of high school science and two (2) years of field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

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.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid driver’s license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• Previous experience as a salmonid spawning ground surveyor.
• Experience independently launching and operating a cataraft (pontoon boat).
• Experience loading, unloading, portaging and navigating a pontoon raft through all normally raft-surveyed sections throughout District 14.
• Background in elementary biology and in-the-field salmonid identification.
• Experience out field data forms clearly and concisely using electronic and paper methods.
• Understanding of basic field sampling techniques and procedures, sample rates and biases.

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 diana.humes@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 diana.humes@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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