Sport Fishery & Stream Surveyor – Scientific Technician 2 – Non-Permanent – 2026-04475

Title- Sport Fishery & Stream Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status– Full-Time – Non-Permanent
Appointment Length– 6 months – June 12, 2026 – December 12, 2026
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Division
Duty Station– Pasco, Washington – Franklin County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to gain hands-on fisheries experience in dynamic field environments while contributing to the sustainability of Washington’s fisheries and recreational fishing opportunities. 

Envision yourself in the field engaging with the public while conducting sport fishery monitoring during the summer and fall salmon fisheries. You will also travel by foot and boat to assist with stream surveys throughout the Hanford Reach and Yakima River areas. 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Sport Fishery/Stream Surveyor will,

• Conduct Sport Fishery Surveys:
  • Collect detailed information from anglers participating in salmon/steelhead sport fisheries during on-site interviews at area boat launches and shoreline fishing access areas.
  • Determine catch effort through boat trailer index counts and interviews.
  • Identify harvest to species and collect biological information including number, length, gender, fin clips, coded wire tags (CWT) and collect scales for aging.
• Conduct Stream Surveys:
  • Collect post spawn salmon carcasses in-river, by boat and along shorelines within the WDFW District 4 waters of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers.
  • Follow sampling procedures and sport fishery methods with the addition of otolith collection (aging and origin) and spawn success (egg retention).
• Tow, launch, and operate state boats ranging from 18’ to 20” in length and maintain records including operator, date, boat number, gallons, costs, and collect and file all fuel receipts.
• Review all data collected in the field and upon returning to the office check for completeness and accuracy.
• Collect, package, label, and process all biological samples at the end of each shift.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Work is conducted primarily in the field and remote setting, including primitive locations and public access sites. Duties involve travel to multiple locations including work on the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River and the lower 30 miles of the Yakima River.  May work independently at public fishing areas for up to 10 hours per day to conduct creel sampling.
• Fieldwork may involve hiking over rough and slippery terrain, potential encounters with dangerous wildlife or exposure to illegal activities, handling chemicals for biological sampling (ethanol) and vehicle operations (gasoline and oil).
• Use and care of vehicles, boats, equipment, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, and coded wire tag (CWT) wands.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Position is 24/7 non-scheduled, working 40 hours per week. Scheduled days and hours of work will vary and will require work on all weekends and potentially on holidays and occasional overtime as needed. 

Travel Requirements: Routine travel to public and primitive access sites along the Columbia and lower Yakima Rivers. State vehicle will be provided. Stream surveys will require travel and routine work from boats in the Columbia River.

Tools and Equipment: Vehicle, boats, knife, sampling and data recording supplies, coded wire tag (CWT) wand, life jacket, rain gear, gloves, waders, mask.

Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with anglers and the public during creel surveys. 

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 (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License. 

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

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in fisheries or closely related field.
• Boat operation certification.
• Proficient in identification of freshwater and anadromous fish species of the Columbia River.
• One (1) year of experience field sampling.
• Experience entering data into Excel and/or Access databases.
• Experience operating outboard boats and/or small river craft

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 #2026-04475.

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