Description

FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
STOCK ASSESSMENT TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Fish Program – Fish Management
Bellingham, Washington – Whatcom County

This position supports the mission of WDFW by providing technical field support collecting spawning ground data on salmonids on the Nooksack River and North Puget Sound Independent Tributaries for stock assessment and fishery management purposes.

You will work independently and as a team member under the supervision of the Nooksack Stock Assessment Biologist 1 conducting spawning ground surveys, creel surveys, collecting, organizing, and compiling biological data. These data are used to develop escapement estimates, pre-season forecasts and evaluate progress toward regionally important salmon recovery goals.

Chum Salmon – Photo credit - WDFW

Duties

Here is some of what you will be doing,

• Conducts spawning ground surveys for steelhead, Chinook, pink, coho, and chum salmon on the Nooksack River and independent drainages throughout Whatcom County.
• Hikes or rafts sections of these rivers and tributaries.
• Accurately identifies, enumerates and records observations of freshwater stage adult salmonids, salmonid redds, and other freshwater fish species.
• Collects biological data and samples from salmonid carcasses under various field conditions.
• Interviews anglers and samples catch on the Nooksack River and other rivers throughout District 14.
• Collects biological data from harvested species.
• Makes observations about the fishery, new access locations, angler questions, and reports information to supervisor.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is performed almost entirely outdoors in all seasons and in all weather conditions from extreme heat to extreme cold and snow.
  • Work is often performed independently in remote locations with no cell service in and around swift water. Employees will be provided emergency communication devices when working independently.
  • Long drives to work sites from field office.
  • Use of rafts and pontoons in up to class III whitewater.
  • Riding bicycles from survey indexes back to vehicles.
  • Hazards include exposure to heat, cold, rain, snow, slippery, uneven, and loose surfaces.
  • Encounters with potentially dangerous wildlife such as black bears or cougars and stinging and biting insects.
  • Potential hazards associated with mechanized or human powered travel (car, boat, ATV) during all seasons and environmental conditions over variable terrain.
  • Rafting will include the use of single person and two person pontoons in up to class III whitewater.
  • Walking will include up to 12 miles daily in rugged terrain and carrying up to 75 lbs of equipment short distances.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week.
  • Occasionally irregular hours, weekend and holiday shifts will occur.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Requires regular travel throughout Whatcom and Skagit counties; occasional in-state travel for meetings or trainings and to Olympia to pick up supplies or deliver samples.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • 4-wheel drive pickup, bicycle, pontoon, raft, personal computer, GPS, CWT detection wand, waders, wading boots, machetes, sampling pack including forceps, scissors, and knives.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Will interact with other WDFW personnel, public and private landowners, local government, co-managers, anglers, boaters, hikers, volunteers, and WDFW enforcement personnel.

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:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• Bachelors or Associates degree in Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources.
• Geographic knowledge of the Nooksack River, Whatcom and Skagit counties.

Experience in:

• Fisheries Biology.
• Salmonid spawning ground surveying
• Collecting biological data from adult salmonids such as CWT snouts, scales, otoliths, DNA samples and fork lengths.
• Operating pontoons, rafts, or drift boats in swift water up to class III.
• Wading remote streams in thigh to waist deep water.
• Hiking long distances
• Accurately collecting data in an organized way and recording data legibly.
• Entering biological field data using Microsoft Excel.

Supplemental Information

• 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 agencyand the perksof 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.

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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