Crustacean Fishery Sampler - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 4 Openings

Crabs Photo Credit: WDFW

As a key member of the Puget Sound Shellfish Program these positions are vital to the collection of shellfish harvest data that informs sustainable fisheries management.

Focused on recreational crustacean and intertidal shellfish fisheries these roles involve conducting creel surveys harvester counts and buoy and boat assessments throughout Puget Sound.

In addition to fieldwork these positions support shellfish management through data entry and summary reporting for agency biologists and managers.

The data collected helps guide resource conservation efforts ensures compliance with state and federal mandates and supports the equitable allocation of shellfish stocks between the state and treaty tribes.

What to Expect

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles the Crustacean Fishery Samplerswill

Fisheries Sampling 90 Crustacean 10 Intertidal) and Data Collection:

• Interview recreational fishery participants at assigned access points.
• Implement interview procedures and sampling protocols and accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms.
• Collect data designed to evaluate recreational harvest including counting measuring and weighing harvested shrimp crab bivalves squid and seaweed.
• Collect catch record card (CRC) recording compliance data for the Puget Sound recreational Dungeness crab fishery.
• Interact with the public including conducting outreach and education through fisher interviews focused on explanation of current harvest regulations shellfish species biology and Puget Sound resource management.
• Conduct harvester effort sampling to quantify daily shellfish harvester intensity through ingress/egress surveys and performing effort surveys for recreational shrimp and bivalve fisheries from boats or ground and entering data into mobile device applications.
• Serve as a liaison to the regional supervisor on observed fishery violations.

Data Entry Review and Summary:

• Upload and maintain accurate and complete datasets.
• Conduct error checks of sampling data.
• Enter and upload recreational shellfish catch information gathered through recreational fisher interviews.
• Entering data from crustacean and intertidal stock assessment surveyswhich may include samples processed in the field and samples processed in a wet lab setting.
• Process lab and field samples from crustacean and bivalve test fisheries and biological studies assuring samples are processed accurately and sampling protocols are maintained.

Support Shellfish Program Stock Assessment and Biological Data Collection:

• Participate in the biological sampling of adult juvenile and larval crab throughout Puget Sound using defined protocols.
• Participate in intertidal stock assessments including participating in clam and oyster surveys.
• Occasionally process bivalve and crustacean biological samples in the lab. Data collected includes length weight sex shell condition egg status and species.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting including hazards:

• Work occurs both in the field and in an office environment.
• Field work is conducted traversing public beaches dockside and at access sites and aboard various vessels in marine waters including the 38foot WDFW Vessel #699 research vessel and smaller boats (small outboard motorboats inflatable rafts and 24 to 34 agency vessels). Boatboard work is conducted in all waters of Puget Sound and the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in inclement weather conditions.
• This position may involve working in or near water including tasks that require navigating negotiating and performing duties related to water environments.
• Carry heavy awkward loads (up to 50 lbs) over difficult terrain on a periodic and infrequent basis. Lift field equipment overhead and manipulate while loading vehicle roof rack.
• Prolonged periods of stooping squatting and bending while digging holes in rough terrain.

Schedule:

• Nonscheduled work hours are typically 612 hours per day between 5:00am and 11:00pm 40 hours per week.
• Weekend and evening work required.

Travel Requirements:

• Occasional overnight travel required seasonally.
• May be required to use personal vehicle for work use with mileage compensated if an agency vehicle isnt available.

Tools and Equipment:

Customer Interactions:

• Engage with WDFW staff and Tribes commercial harvester or fishers fish and shellfish buyers fish processors recreational anglers and shellfisher.
• Provide basic fisheries information and explain sport fishing regulations to the public including occasional interactions with upset individuals.
• Provide a high level of customer service to anglers and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

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.

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.
• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology zoology fisheries chemistry natural resources engineering or closely allied fields may substitute year for year for experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid drivers license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction position need and training availability.
• Obtain First Aid/CPR certification with completion within six 6 months of hire.

In addition to the required qualifications our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• 6 months of professional fieldwork experience.
• 6 months of professional biological data collection experience.
• Experience interacting with members of the public/customer service.
• Experience conducting creel surveys and sampling fisheries.
• Knowledge of locally occurring crustacean species.
• Knowledge of recreational crabbing and shrimping methods and gear.
• Familiarity with current recreational crustacean harvest regulations in Puget Sound.
• Familiarity with the geography of Puget Sound and Hood Canal region.
• Biological data collection using electronic scales and scientific calipers.
• Science topics education and outreach experience.
• Experience using electronic data collection tools.
• Experience working with specialized data collection forms and mobile device apps.
• Experience in confidentiality rules regulations and restrictions.
• Experience using GPS in a field setting.

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.