Recreational Fisheries Sampler Technician- Scientific Technician 2- Non-Perm- 5 Positions

Photo Caption ST2 staff on a dock Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about preserving protecting and perpetuating fish wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities

Embrace this role to collect and summarize recreational salmon marine fish and shellfish catch information.

With sustainability and conservation in mindyou will collect biological data to meet fisheries sampling goals.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role this position will:

Sample predominantly recreational fisheries for salmon marine fish and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and other marine fish. Sample salmon for codedwire tags and collect biological data. May sample commercial salmon fisheries at fish buyers and plants.

• Interview as many recreational fishery anglers as possible at assigned boat launch facilities.
• Properly implement interview procedures and sampling protocols.
• Accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms.
• Observe count and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.
• Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic codedwire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand detectors).
• Classify sort and enumerate marked (adipose finclipped) tagged marked untagged unmarked tagged and unmarked untagged salmon.
• Retrieve CWTs from the snouts of Chinook and Coho salmon to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Sample recreational and or commercial salmon catch for biological data including DNA age (scales) and sex ratios.

Data review and summary public relations maintenance duties other duties as assigned.

• Conduct error checks of sampling data.
• Provide sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
• Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field. Provide written reports on violations and may be called to give testimony informally or in court.
• Operate and maintain an agency vehicle as needed.
• Maintain sampling equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is primarily conducted in the field. May encounter 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 biting and stinging insects use of knives may transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. This position may involve working in or near water including tasks that require navigating negotiating and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: 40 hours per week weekend and evening work is required. Typically 8to 10hours per day between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Travel requirements: Puget Sound area with seldom overnight travel. May be required to use personal vehicle for work when an agency owned vehicle is unavailable.

Customer Interactions: Interactions with coworkers from WDFW and Tribes commercial harvester or fishers salmon buyers fish processors recreational anglers and shellfishers. Interacts with the public daily for fisheries data collection and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources as well as agency programs and activities. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public. Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry distraught or frustrated. Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the general public. Liaison with regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two 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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

License: 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 andtraining availability.

HSI First Aid/CPR within 1 month of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Experience conducting creel and sampling fisheries in Puget Sound or a similar area.
• Experience identifying all salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species.
• Experience with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
• Experience with commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
• Experience working with members of the public.

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 3 professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFWs 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.