What are the responsibilities and job description for the Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - 2 Positions - Non-Permanent - *00547-25 position at State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife?
Description
Working Title- Spawning Ground Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Positions
Appointment/Season Length- 3 months:
Appointment/Season Length- 3 months:
- 1 position from 03/01/2025 – 05/31/2025
- 1 position from 03/17/2025 – 06/15/2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption – Rafts on a riverbank – Photo Credit: WDFW
With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will organize and check data for accuracy.
You are excited to be part of a two-person crew collecting data sets to help determine hatchery vs. wild salmonid escapement estimates, run reconstruction, and forecasts used in fisheries management for both non-tribal sport and tribal commercial gillnet fisheries.
We are seeking candidates to conduct stream surveys, collect hatchery and wild Chinook, coho, chum, pink, sockeye, steelhead & lamprey spawning survey data in South Puget Sound watersheds and in Hood Canal.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:
Enumerate and monitor hatchery and wild salmon/steelhead redds plus live/dead fish counts with “Index” reaches surveyed every 7 –14 days.
- New redds are numbered with flagging.
- Data is accurately recorded onto field cards. Data is error checked and summarized.
- Surveys conducted by foot, raft, drift boat, and or jet sled during all weather conditions and difficult terrain.
- Biological data (scales, fin marks, coded wire tag, otoliths, DNA) collected on dead fish.
- Survey includes enumerating Pacific and Brook lamprey visible redds and live/dead counts.
Driving to and from surveyed reaches on both highway and off-road conditions.
- Includes gaining access onto private properties, map reading, GPS coordinates, radio operations, vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Enumerate and monitor salmon/steelhead redds plus live/dead fish counts with “Supplemental” type surveys during peak spawning. Visible redd and fish counts are recorded on field cards.
- Data is error checked and summarized.
- Surveys conducted by foot, raft, drift boat, and or jet sled.
- Timing of surveys based upon “Index” type vis/cum. relationships.
- Biological data (scales, fin marks, coded wire tag) collected on dead fish.
Misc. duties.
- Including gear/equipment/vehicle maintenance and repairs, sampling lowland trout lakes, documenting habitat alterations within surveyed areas.
- Hatchery sampling, mainly Chinook, lengths, scales, check for CWT.
- Safety courses and/or online training as required.
Survey schedule planning.
- Tracking weather and stream flows.
- Data organization and error checking.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: Usually surveys alone or at times with other technicians or biologists in a wide variety of terrain and stream substrate conditions. Fieldwork is often done in inclement weather within varying stream flow and visibility conditions. Fieldwork can be strenuous while walking in or along streams with slick boulders, crawling over logjams, wading across riffles with moderate – fast current or maneuvering watercraft listed above. Repetitively lifting and maneuvering of equipment upwards to or greater than 40 pounds. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
Schedule: Generally, 40 hours per week. Workdays and hours are determined by weather, stream flows and visibility, and degree of spawning activity. A flexible hourly and daily work schedule is therefore needed to perform the assigned tasks. Weekends and holidays are included as potential workdays.
Travel requirements: Daily travel from duty station to work sites.
Customer Interactions: Maintain positive interactions with the public.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one 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 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 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of natural science classes.
License: Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on 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:
- Elementary biology, in-the-field identification of live and dead salmonids, identifies, interpret, and monitor salmonid/lamprey spawning activity by species.
- Basic safe operation of rafts and boats in moving waters a definite plus.
- Ability to clearly and concisely fill out field data forms.
- Basic computer data entry skills.
- The ability to follow oral and written instructions, strong communication skills, and the ability to interact with the general public are necessary.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date 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:
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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-00547.
Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram
cp
