Salmonid Trap Technician - Scientific Tech 2 - Non-Permanent - Four Openings - *00447-25

Title- Salmonid Trap Technicians - Four (4) positions

Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment/Season Length- 4 Months – March 3, 2025 – June 30, 2025 

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Ecology Life Cycle Monitoring Unit 

Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo caption: Upper Chehalis River – Photo credit: WDFW

Join our team in the Ecology Life Cycle Monitoring Unit and play a hands-on role in advancing fish conservation! 

These positions are part of a dedicated group responsible for operating and maintaining fish traps across the Chehalis River Basin, collecting vital data to estimate freshwater smolt production. Your work will directly contribute to understanding fish populations, informing conservation strategies, and supporting the agency’s mission to monitor, research, and report on fish, wildlife, and habitat.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Trap Technicians will,

• Assist with the installation, removal, operation, and maintenance of juvenile and adult fish traps. 
• Check trap(s) daily, counting, and sub-sampling juvenile and adult fish catch. 
• Collect and record biological and environmental data as assigned. 
• Use various marking and tagging techniques, including, but not limited to, coded wire tags (CWT), passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, fin clips, visible implant elastomer (VIE), Microject, opercule punch, and bismark brown. 
• Perform efficiency trials. 
• Enter and error check data into agency database(s) and paper forms. 
• Drive agency vehicles to and from work sites as directed which may include off-road conditions and trailering.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: The work is conducted primarily outside in the field.   Inclement weather conditions, including high river flows, swift water, water temperatures down to 0°C, and air temperatures below 0°C and above 35°C; uneven terrain, noise, odors; repetitive movement, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, standing, and kneeling, sometimes while in cold water for hours at a time; heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs. unassisted); working in confined spaces; fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, thorny/spiny vegetation, pollen, and transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: 24/7 non-scheduled throughout the season, working 40 hours per week. May work overtime as needed. 

Travel Requirements: Daily travel from duty station to field locations using agency vehicle. Some navigating on gravel logging roads with a 4x4 truck.

Tools and Equipment: Trucks, cars, boats, outboard motors, trailers, boat dolly, GPS units, compass, temperature loggers, tablets, head lamps, flashlights, measuring board, DNA envelopes, maps, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, MS-222, blotter sheets, pencils, pens, clipboard, scissors, scalpels, forceps, computer, cell phones, electronic sampling equipment, Mark IV CWT tagging unit, quality control device (QCD) device, coded wire tag (CWT) wand, V-Detector, scale, first aid kit, calculator, knives, personal flotation device (PFD), WDFW apparel, chest waders, wading boots, wading belt, trail cameras, rubber boots, gloves; hand tools, power tools, pumps, winches, ladders, generators, hydraulic and water pumps; fish collection gear including nets, seines, weirs, scoop, screw and fan traps; passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag reader, and rain gear.

Customer Interactions: Infrequent interactions with the public and landowners.

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: 

• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.
• College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Ability To:

• Identify juvenile salmonids by species and other incidental catch.
• Knowledge and ability to operate, maintain, and repair fish traps.
• Proficient using of a variety of hand tools, power tools and small engine machinery including generators & pumps. 
• Enter data into computer files and spreadsheets (e.g. Microsoft Excel, Access) software.

Knowledge of:

• Salmon life history and proper fish-handling techniques.
• Juvenile salmon trapping techniques.
• Fish marking and tagging protocols. 
• Basic construction and use of hand & power tools.

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 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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov 

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Salary : $3,477 - $4,626