What are the responsibilities and job description for the Screw Trap Operator - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - Three Openings - *01131-25 position at State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife?
Description
Title- Screw Trap Operator
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Three (3)
Appointment- 3 months – March 16, 2025 – June 15, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Twisp, Washington – Okanogan County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Rotary Screw Trap – Photo Credit: WDFW
This is an opportunity to gain valuable fieldwork experience in fisheries.
Assist in the operation and maintenance of two (2) smolt traps in the Methow River Basin, playing a key role in data collection through daily trapping and mark-recapture studies.
The insights gathered contribute to critical conservation efforts for ESA-listed steelhead and spring Chinook salmon.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Screw Trap Operator will,
Operate rotary screw traps:
- Ensure proper operation of rotary screw traps, including installation and maintenance.
- Collect juvenile salmonid abundance data for estimating basin-wide natural smolt production.
- Conduct mark/recapture trials to estimate trap efficiency.
- Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag juvenile natural salmonid species.
- Collect biological information (length, weight, scale samples and DNA fin clips) from target and non-target taxa.
- Enter information into established databases such as Microsoft Excel, Access and JMX.
- Performing quality control on the data entered
Operate in-stream passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag interrogation sites:
- Install, repair, and maintain in-stream PIT tag interrogation sites.
- Conduct site visits to remove debris and ensure that antennas are working properly.
- Repair or replace compromised equipment when necessary.
Assist with other hatchery monitoring and evaluation activities:
- Assist other biologists with collection and spawning of hatchery brood stock, and miscellaneous other duties as needed.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:
-
Smolt Trapping:
- Inclement weather and navigating a rope-guided boat across the river to access the smolt traps during periods of high water and debris.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
- Smolt traps may have periods of instability, random movement, and can be very icy at times.
- Frequent noise exposure and fish sampling requires the use of anesthesia chemicals (MS-222) and concentrated alcohol for sterilization and tissue preservation.
- Daily lifting and carrying buckets full of water, sometimes up and down ramps and lift weights of up to 75lbs when assembling the trap.
-
Maintaining PIT Tag Interrogation Sites:
- Assist with the maintenance of interrogation sites.
- Fix electrical issues, remove debris from the antennas and carry large and heavy objects to site locations.
- Travel to some sites may require the use of snowshoes.
-
Other Sampling Tasks:
- Brood stock collection may be performed at Wells Dam, which requires the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) often during very hot and sunny conditions.
- Work regularly in a swift, whitewater river environment, endure long hours of adverse weather with minimal shelter, while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and accurately recording collected data.
Schedule:
- Typically, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. during dayshift operations.
- The night schedule is usually 10:00 P.M. - 7:00 A.M. for 4 nights followed by a 7:00 P.M. - 11:00 P.M. shift. During the night schedule, days off will vary.
- During peak work periods, working nights, weekends, and holidays will be required.
Travel Requirements: Travel is required to field locations throughout the watershed to accomplish project duties. Occasional travel may be required to gather supplies from distant locations.
Tools and Equipment: Field equipment includes basic hand and power tools, water pumps, generators, computers, GPS units, and sampling equipment such as coded wire tag (CWT) detectors, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, knives, scissors, tweezers, tricaine methanesulfonate (ms-222), personal flotation devices (PFD), hearing protection, hard hats, throw ropes, life rings, waders and boots, lifejackets, hard hats, and other equipment necessary for field work including dry-suits, neoprene gloves, and common office equipment.
Customer Interactions: Interacts with supervisors and technicians within unit, as well as professionals from state, federal, county, tribal, and private organizations. There may also be frequent interactions with the public during portions of the year.
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 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 Driver’s License
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
- Working knowledge and experience identifying and collecting biological data from migratory Pacific salmonids as well as local non-target taxa.
- Working knowledge of rotary smolt trapping programs.
- Competency using Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- 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 #2025-01131.
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
lb
