Spawning Ground Surveyor & Trap Technician – Scientific Technician 2-Non-Perm-7 Openings -2026-05207

Title- Spawning Ground Surveyor & Trap Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status– Full-Time – Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies– Seven (7)
*Anticipated Appointment Length– Varied (4 months to 7 months) – Click the link below for full details
WDFW Program– Fish Program
*Duty Station– Region 5 – Multiple Locations – Lewis County – Click the link below for full details
Posting Timeline– This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until July 7, 2026. First review of applications will take place July 1, 2026. Application review is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Following the first review date, this recruitment may be closed at any time.

The salary listed does not include the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

*Multiple openings in Toledo and Salkum Washington and a variety of anticipated appointment lengths – apply for one (1) or all the positions by submitting one (1) application. 

For a more detailed description of each position, please visit the following link: Scientific Technician 2 – Position Details (Download PDF reader)

Supplemental questions are provided for you to indicate your preference regarding location and anticipated appointment length.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

What to Expect-
Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the duties required. Typical duties may include:

• Install, operate, maintain, and remove adult fish monitoring weirs, traps, and associated equipment, including conducting electrofishing operations.
• Capture, identify, count, handle, tag/mark, and transport live and deceased adult and juvenile salmonids.
• Collect biological data from live adult fish and fish carcasses.
• Collect data in rivers by snorkeling to identify, count and collect fish, as well as deploy, inspect, and maintain field sampling equipment.
• Enter and manage biological data using established spreadsheets and databases at field stations and remote field locations.
• Conduct creel surveys by interviewing boat and shore anglers on the lower Cowlitz River.
• Perform adult salmonid spawning ground and carcass surveys on the lower Cowlitz River and its tributaries and the Toutle and Green Rivers and their tributaries
• Use GPS equipment to mark redd locations.
• Collect broodstock for established enhancement and hatchery programs
• Conduct biological sampling and data collection of broodstock at hatchery facilities.

Working Conditions:
Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the working conditions required. Typical working conditions may include:

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Approximately 90% of the time in a fieldwork environment with exposure to inclement weather conditions and often with wet slippery footing.
• Walk in and along streams up to six (6) miles per day including climbing up and down steep and slippery stream banks.
• Lift large, putrid fish carcasses (typically up to 30 lbs.) and repetitively carry loads up to 30 pounds short distances over rough terrain.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: 24/7 non-scheduled (Sunday – Saturday) or Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week depending on position.

Travel Requirements: Daily travel to and from field locations is required. Little to no overnight travel.  

Tools and Equipment: Hand and carpentry tools, gaffs, machetes, winches and pulleys, 4×4 vehicles, boat and motors, GPS units.

Customer Interactions: Interact with the public, personnel from other state agencies, and local landowners.

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:

• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.
• 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:
Successful completion of job-related training and/or certification – such as safety, equipment operation, fieldwork procedures, and/or emergency management may be required depending on position responsibilities, supervisory direction, and training availability. 

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

Experience, knowledge or ability in the following: 

• Identifying salmonids, both adult and juvenile forms
• Identifying salmonid redds
• Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols
• Fishery monitoring and sampling
• Basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access
• Coded wire tag (CWT) and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detector operation
• Operating handheld GPS and data logger devices

Your application must 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-05207.

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