Job Description

FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL

PUGET SOUND SAMPLERS

Anticipated Appointment Lengths: 5 Months 

April 15th – October 7th 

You love working outdoors providing important environmental work collecting biological data for recreational salmon, halibut, lingcod, marine fish, and shellfish to meet fisheries sampling goals.

Become part of a dynamic and diverse team that support the mission by providing the information necessary to estimate catch and effort for recreational fisheries management. 

*Electronic Data Collection – Photo Credit: Danny Warren

With that in mind,

Picture yourself, collecting and summarizing biological data to meet fisheries sampling goals.

This is an opportunity to sample recreational fisheries for halibut, salmon, marine fish, and shellfish catch to determine catch per unit of effort and species composition in order to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and marine fish.

The optimal applicants have a strong attention to detail and thrive in a fast-paced environment as they sample and collect data and enjoy working together with a team and interacting with the public.

We are seeking candidates who respect and value the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.

*Tagging Chinook at Washougal Weir – Photo Credit: Danny Warren

Our Scientific Technician 2, 

Samples recreational fisheries for halibut, salmon, marine fish, and shellfish catch to determine catch per unit of effort and species composition in order to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and marine fish.

          Tasks Include:

• Conducting angler creel interviews, providing feedback about sampling protocols, and accurately recording data into an iPad application and on a scale card paper form.
• Observing, counting, and accurately identifying all salmon and marine fish species.
• Sampling all Chinook and Coho salmon with electronic Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detection devices.
• Classifying, sorting, and enumerating marked and unmarked salmon by CWT status.
• Sampling salmon catch to obtain stock composition, age structure, legal and sub-legal proportions, and hatchery and natural-origin proportions.
• Sampling some marine fish species for length and/or weight, as well as lingcod for spines, DNA, and any other biological tissues.

Data review, public relations, and maintenance duties.

          Tasks Include:

• Conducting error checks of sampling data.
• Providing sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
• Providing written reports on violations and may be called to give testimony informally or in court.
• May be responsible for maintenance of an agency vehicle.
• Maintaining sampling equipment in good working order.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards: 
  • Work is primarily conducted in the field and may involve adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, rain gear, equipment holsters, personal flotation device (PFD), agency identifying clothing, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.
• Schedule: 
  • Work hours are 24/7 non-scheduled – the employee will typically work 40 hours/week, 8-10 hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
• Travel Requirements: 
  • Travel around the Puget Sound area with seldom overnight travel.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  • The following items are provided and will be used for sampling duties: iPad, cell phone, electronic sampling equipment (CWT detector), weighing scale, calculator, knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, tide book, canopy for shade, portable table, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard and scissors.
  • This position is provided a PFD.
  • The following clothing is supplied: WDFW apparel, rubber boots, gloves, and rain gear.
  • Copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.
• Customer Interactions: 
  • Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial anglers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers.
  • Interactions with the public during data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities.
  • Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
  • Frequent interactions with the public which may include contentious interactions.
  • Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the general public.
  • Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND

OR 

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 semester hours or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Ability to:

Knowledge of:

• Salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
• Sport fishing methods and gear.
• Proper fish handling technique.

Experience with:

• Accurately recording information.
• Working with members of the public.

Supplemental Information

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A Cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letters will not be accepted).
• Current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

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

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of 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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect. (ASPIRE)

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

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:

• Subject line should 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 Re*************@df*.gov. 
• Subject line should 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.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at Re*************@df*.gov.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 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 su*****@ne****.com.

*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks).

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Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: seasonal.

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