Job Description

The duty station for these positions is the Cathlamet Field Office for Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife, located at 28 Beaver Creek Rd, Cathlamet, WA 98612. The anticipated start date is Wednesday September 18th, 2024. These positions are 40 hours per week with an anticipated appointment of September 18 – December 31. The work location includes tributaries to the lower Columbia River in southwest Washington.

Job duties include:
Duty: Stream surveys
Tasks may include:
·Conducting adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on the Lower Columbia River and its tributaries walking up to 6 miles per day and carrying up to 70 pounds; identifying and enumerating adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds; using GPS and iPads devices to mark redd locations and enter biological data. Collection of biological samples from carcasses. Scanning carcasses for coded-wire tags (CWT) and collecting CWT-positive snouts.
·Identifying, enumerating, handling adult salmon.
·Operating pontoon rafts while conducting duties such as spawning ground surveys in white water conditions/rapids (Class 1-3).

Duty: Adult fish weirs
Tasks include:
·Assist in the daily operation and maintenance of the Grays River and Elochoman River adult fish weirs. Capturing, identifying, enumerating, handling, and tagging and/or marking adult salmonids for mark/recapture programs and distribution monitoring.
·Biological data collection and marking of adult salmonids. Euthanizing surplus hatchery-origin fish.
·Assists weir crew in the installation and removal of the Grays River and Elochoman River weirs.
·Maintains and repairs sampling tools and equipment.

Duty: Data collection, entry and management
Tasks include:
·Accurately recording and proofing data collected during field activities, which could occur under adverse weather conditions.
·Using a computer at the regional office or in the field to enter data into established spreadsheets and/or databases (e.g. Traps, Weirs, Surveys database and carcass tagging spreadsheets).
·Downloading information from various handheld data collection devices such as data loggers, GPS units, PIT tag readers and CWT detectors.
·Ensuring scale cards, CWT snouts, DNA and otolith sample collections are complete, properly documented and submitted in a timely manner.

Duty: General administration and other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
·Monitoring and observation of Deep River commercial fishery. Travel to fish buying location to collect biological samples from commercial catch; using established protocols to detect and collect coded wire tags (CWT) and passive integrated transponders (PIT), collecting DNA for Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) and making Visual Stock Identification.
·Completing time-sheets by the deadlines set by the supervisor and program.
·Completing agency required trainings and meetings.
·Recording mileage and taking vehicles in for service and maintenance.

Essential Functions:

• Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.).
• Support watershed and stream assessments by working as part of a field team that performs habitat surveys. Includes road inventories, stream habitat inventories, channel typing, habitat typing, woody debris and riparian inventories.
• Summarize and input biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, technical report writing, or database management.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks.

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc. If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• carcass and redd surveys
• electronic detection technol.
• able to swim
• lift 40 – 50 lbs.
• load boats on trailers
• tow & maneuver trailers
• valid driver’s license
• operate non-motorized boats
• operate GPS
• fish species ID skills
• operate handheld data recorder
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate –where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping– to rigorous. In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.

A range of experience and education may be presented.  At the lower end of the range, candidates must present six months of General Experience* OR one year of education above the high school level that included at least six semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

At the upper end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

*General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled.

How to Apply

Job Types: Temporary. Salaries: 20,000 - 40,000.

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