What are the responsibilities and job description for the Ocean Fisheries Roving Port Sampler - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - *01293-25 position at State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife?
Description
Title- Ocean Fisheries Roving Port Sampler
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 9 months, February 1 – October 31
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Sunset on the Sound – Photo Credit: Anjie Sage
Join the WDFW Team to collect catch, effort, and biological data from ocean recreational and commercial troll fisheries, including salmon, halibut, bottomfish, and albacore.
Working with minimal supervision, the roving sampler will travel to multiple ocean ports, conduct angler interviews, examine marine fish catches, and collect biological data such as scales, DNA, otoliths, and Coded Wire Tags (CWTs).
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Ocean Fisheries Roving Port Sampler will,
Conduct port sampling of recreational and commercial fisheries:
- Collect catch, effort, and biological data from the ocean recreational and commercial troll fisheries through standardized angler interviews, including fish handling, examination of marine fish catches, accurate species identification, and collection of various biological data.
- Provide feedback and make judgments daily regarding sampling protocols and field procedures which directly affect the statistical validity of data used by ocean fishery managers.
- Record, summarize, and chart field data utilizing electronic devices, software programs, and paper forms, including daily synchronization of collected data into external databases, emphasizing promptness and error-free records.
- Regular professional interactions with sport, tribal, and commercial fishermen to explain WDFW research projects, procedures, and objectives, and to enlist their cooperation in reporting fish encounters, recording the types and locations of catches, and determining overall fishing effort.
- Travel to and from coastal Washington ports to provide the field sampling units with gear, collect data, and facilitate communication between sampling units and supervisory staff.
Gear management:
- Maintain sampling gear inventory, replenish lost or broken equipment, and clean and prepare gear for field use.
Data review:
- Review and error-check catch data, biological data, and video counts and scan and inventory historical data files.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Position is 70% fieldwork and 30% office work.
- Work hours include long and odd hours during the ocean fisheries. Fieldwork hours are spent sitting, standing, walking, bending, negotiating steep ramps, slippery surfaces, unstable docks, boarding vessels, and lifting, handling, and manipulating fish up to 60 pounds.
- This position may involve working on or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
- Work involves utilizing or being close to sharp sampling tools and fishing gear and can occur in busy fish houses or cannery rooms around various equipment and machinery.
- Coastal temperatures and weather extremes may be encountered in the field.
Schedule: Non-scheduled, 24/7. Monday - Sunday, 40 hours per week. Weekend work, non-consecutive days off, occasional long hours, and holiday work are required. May work more than 40 hours per week. Destination overnight stays of up to four (4) consecutive nights.
Travel Requirements: Daily travel to ports within Washington, including up to eight (8) hours of driving daily, and occasional overnight stays are required.
Tools and Equipment: Knives, scissors, tweezers, hemostats, measuring board, personal flotation device, iPad, cell phone, T wand, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag reader, and laptop.
Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with co-workers from WDFW and Tribal members, commercial anglers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers, and the public during data collection. Includes occasional contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated. Answer questions, explain sampling policy and methodology, distribute catch, quota, and regulatory information, and answer other questions.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: 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.
Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
Please Note: College coursework 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 or environmental science classes.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Health and Safety Institute (HIS) First Aid/CPR within three (3) months of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- Experience conducting creel surveys and sampling in ocean fisheries or a similar area.
- Experience working with members of the public.
- Ability to identify all salmon and common marine finfish species.
- Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
- Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
- Proper fish handling technique.
- Experience with Microsoft (MS) Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, MS Teams and MS Windows
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- At least three professional references with current contact information.
Supplemental Information
In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
Important Note:
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
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.
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:
- Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
-
Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
As part of WDFW’s 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.
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-01293.
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