Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Perm - 2 Openings

Aerial Count of Anglers Along Sauk River Photo Credit: WDFW

Assist senior project leads on hydroacoustic monitoring efforts for the Skagit River supporting critical conservation work aimed at preserving wild fish populations.

Key responsibilities include maintaining inriver hydroacoustic systems conducting daily data review and assisting with a weekly test fishery.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles the Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technicianswill

Assist with Hydroacoustic Monitoring Efforts to Estimate Adult Salmonid Abundance in the Skagit River Basin:

• Follow established protocols for hydroacoustic equipment deployment operation and maintenance data review and field safety.
• Maintain daily log of field activities.
• Organize and review hydroacoustic imagery data.
• Organize and archive raw data into prescribed electronic or written form.

Conduct Biological Sampling Associated with Hydroacoustic Monitoring:

• Assist with weekly test fishing efforts to support species composition analyses for targets detected by hydroacoustic equipment.
• Record test fishery data.
• Collect biological samples from salmon and steelhead including but not limited to length measurements determination of sex and disposition DNA and scale samples for age determination and documentation of marks or tags for origin determination.
• Assist with tagging of adult salmonids collected in the test fishery.

Maintain Field Equipment and Supplies:

• Assist with maintenance preparation and service of all field equipment.
• Assist with maintaining uptodate inventory of field supplies.

Support Recreational and Commercial Fisheries Monitoring:

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting including hazards:

• Work in all weather conditions from dry and hot to extreme cold and snow.
• Position may include field work in rivers and streams walking up to 12 miles in rugged terrain near water.
• Hazards include strains sprains breaks scratches lacerations infections animal encounters and drowning.
• Position may involve working in or near water including tasks that require navigating negotiating and performing duties related to water environments.
• May conduct physically demanding field work including the safe occasional lifting and operation of field equipment weighing up to 75 lbs while walking over uneven ground and near the water.

Schedule:

• Typically Monday through Friday 8:00am5:00pm 40 hours per week.
• Early start times late end times split shifts overtime overnight weekend and holiday hours may be required.

Travel Requirements:

• Regular travel is required to field sites in SedroWoolley.
• There is the possibility to use agency vehicles as well as personal vehicles if authorized.

Tools and Equipment:

Customer Interactions:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or GED including one 1 year of high school science ANDtwo 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.

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 drivers license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per 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:

Experience:

• Background in biology and experience in the natural resources field.
• Following equipment operation data collection and data entry protocols and collecting high quality biological data.
• Maintaining focus and quality of data while performing repetitive tasks on the computer.
• Deploying and maintaining hydroacoustic monitoring gear such as splitbeam or multibeam systems.
• Microsoft Word or Excel software programs.
• Trailering and operating small motorboats (less than 25.
• Identifying handling and biologically sampling fishes preferably to include adult salmonids.

Competencies:

• Adherence to safety protocols and using judgement in the field and near water to maintain a safe working environment.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills teamwork professionalism and working well with a wide variety of people.
• Selfmotivated with the ability to take initiative and work independently with little oversight.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An uptodate 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.