Spawning Surveys and Fish Sampling Specialist – Scientific Technician 2 – Non-Permanent – *00904-25

Title- Spawning Surveys and Fish Sampling Specialist
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status– Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Season Length– 8 months – March 17, 2025 – October 31, 2025
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Science Division
Duty Station– Twisp, Washington – Okanogan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join our team in supporting the critical mission of conserving and managing fish populations in the Methow River Basin. 

Play a vital role in evaluating and monitoring hatchery programs and wild fish populations, ensuring the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems. 

Through hands-on fieldwork and data collection, you’ll contribute to informed management decisions that protect and enhance fish habitats while supporting the agency’s broader conservation goals.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Spawning Surveys and Fish Sampling Specialist will,

Conduct Spawning Ground Surveys for Steelhead and Spring Chinook: 

• Measure redd characteristics, including dimensions, habitat variables, and flow characteristics.
• Record observations of spawning activity, identifying species, origin, and sex of spawners.

Conduct Remote Juvenile Fish Sampling: 

• Sample juvenile salmonids and other fish using methods such angling, electrofishing, and netting.
• Apply Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags to native salmonids and collect biological data.
• Identify various juvenile species.

Sample Adult Steelhead and Other Fishes at the Twisp River Weir: 

• Collect and record biological data from live adult fish, including scale samples, length, sex, tissue samples, hatchery marks, and fat meter readings.
• Safely handle and PIT tag adult and juvenile salmonids.
• Euthanize surplus hatchery steelhead and collect whole fillets for fat meter calibration.
• Collect and count eggs from surplus females and pre-spawn mortalities.
• Implant Floy tags into live fish while ensuring fish health and well-being.

Operate Rotary Screw Traps:

• Install, maintain, and ensure proper operation of rotary screw traps.
• Collect juvenile salmonid abundance data for estimate basin-wide natural smolt production.
• Identify juvenile salmonid species and conduct mark-recapture trials to estimate trap efficiency.
• PIT tag juvenile salmonids and collect biological data from target and non-target species.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Work is performed in remote and challenging conditions, including extreme weather (cold, wet, hot, or dry), with prolonged outdoor exposure. Activities often require navigating uneven, slippery, or unstable terrain.
• Tasks involve occasional heavy lifting (up to 75 lbs), carrying equipment or water buckets, and repetitive physical motions. Daily activities include hiking up to 10 miles on rugged terrain, operating boats, and working in swift, waist-deep water or icy platforms.
• Duties require the use of specialized tools (e.g., needles, fishhooks, fillet knives), handling chemicals like anesthesia (MS-222) and ethanol, and operating electrofishing gear.
• Spawning surveys may be conducted independently or in pairs, often in remote locations. In spring, snowmobiles or ATVs may be necessary to access survey sites.
• Fish sampling tasks include handling live fish.
• Trap operations are physically demanding, especially during high water conditions or periods of peak fish abundance.
• Maintaining PIT tag interrogation sites involves repairing electrical and underwater equipment, often requiring heavy lifting and work in water.
• Trapping activities at dams and hatcheries require increased safety near raceways and ladders.
• Work can be physically and mentally demanding, requiring the ability to focus, maintain manual dexterity, and record meticulous data under minimal supervision, often during long shifts or adverse conditions.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: 
Typically, 40 hours per week, with variable schedules depending on workload. Workdays may range from less than 8 hours to more than 12 hours. During peak periods, night, weekend, and holiday shifts may be required. Weekend work will be required during Twisp River Weir trapping activities (March–May).

Travel Requirements: 
Travel is required to field locations throughout the watershed to accomplish project duties. Occasional travel may be required to attend meetings, training, or gather supplies from distant locations.

Tools and Equipment: 
Pontoon boats, PIT tag detectors, snowmobiles, ATVs, power and hand tools, computers, GPS units, a fat meter, coded wire tag (CWT) detectors, safety equipment (e.g., personal flotation devices, waders, gloves, flotation devices, and hard hats), electro shockers, nets, and fly-fishing rods.

Customer Interactions: 
Occasional interaction with professionals from other agencies and private landowners, which may include interacting with upset individuals. 

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.

OR 

Equivalent education/experience.

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:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

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

Two (2) or four (4) year degree in fisheries, wildlife, environmental, or natural resource sciences.

Experience with:

• Handling, sampling, and tagging adult and juvenile salmonids.
• Conducting spawning ground surveys for anadromous salmonids.
• Collecting biological data in a neat and precise manner.
• Capturing juvenile salmonids by angling and electrofishing.
• Using Microsoft Access, Word, and Excel.
• Navigating rivers in pontoon boats.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-00904.

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