Spawning Ground Surveyor & Weir Trap Technician - Sci Tech 2 - Non-Perm - 7 Openings - *08327-24
SEVEN (7) OPENINGS
FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT
SPAWNING GROUND SURVEYOR & WEIR TRAP TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)
Fish Program - Cowlitz Monitoring and Evaluation Project
Cowlitz Trout Hatchery
Toledo, Washington – Lewis County
Multiple openings in Toledo, Washington with a variety of anticipated appointment lengths ranging from 3.5 months to 4.5 months starting in September 2024 – apply for one or all the positions by submitting one application!
Supplemental questions are provided for you to indicate your preference regarding appointment length.
Picture yourself collecting data essential to assessing the status of different stocks of fish populations for conservation and to help maintain sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries.
This is an opportunity to conduct chinook spawning surveys by jet boat and coho surveys by hiking on foot or in a pontoon boat throughout the Cowlitz River and its tributaries.
With your experience you will assist with the installation, operation, maintenance, and removal of adult and fish weirs and traps.
We are seeking candidates who respect and value the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.
Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the duties that are required. Typical work may include one or more of the following:
Conducting adult salmonid spawning ground and carcass surveys on the lower Cowlitz River and its tributaries
- Identifying, enumerating, and documenting adult salmonids (live and dead) and redds.
- Collecting, identifying, enumerating, handling, and tagging and/or marking salmonids (juveniles and adults) for mark/recapture programs and distribution monitoring.
- Using e-data capture devices, e.g., iPads, to enter data while conducting surveys.
- Biologically sampling broodstock at hatcheries
Data collection, entry, and management:
- Accurately record and proof data collected during field activities.
- Use a computer to enter data that has been collected into established spreadsheets and/or databases.
- Ensuring scale cards, CWT snouts, DNA and otolith sample collections are complete, properly documented and submitted in a timely manner.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Positions filled through this recruitment will vary in the working conditions that are required. Typical working conditions may include:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- Approximately 90% of the time in a non-office environment – 10% office environment.
- Fieldwork – will work in inclement weather conditions, walk in and along streams with wet and slippery footing up to six (6) miles per day, climb up and down steep and slippery stream banks, and conduct surveys by cataraft in class 1-3 rapids.
- Will lift large, dead, putrid fish, up to 30 pounds and repetitively carry loads up to 30 pounds short distances over rough terrain.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
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Schedule:
- Schedule may vary, typically Monday through Thursday – 10 hours per day or Monday through Friday – 8 hours per day.
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Travel Requirements:
- Most of the duties are conducted in the field away from the duty station but will include little to no overnight travel.
- Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required with either a departmental issued vehicle or personal vehicle.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Normal hand and carpentry tools, gaffs, machetes, FLOY tag guns, coded wire tag detectors, PIT tag technology, winches, and pulleys, 4x4 vehicles, boat and motors, GPS’s
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Customer Interactions:
- Positions may interact with other departmental personnel, personnel from other agencies, landowners, commercial fishers, and the public.
QUALIFICATIONS:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 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.
OR
- 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, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid driver’s license (driving record abstract may be requested at time of interview).
- First aid and CPR- must be obtained within 1 month of hire.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Positions filled through this pool will vary in the Special Requirements - typical Special Requirements may include:
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
Ability to:
- Identify salmonids in both adult and juvenile forms.
- Identify salmonid redds.
- Conduct basic functions in Microsoft Excel and Access.
- Operate handheld GPS and data logger devices.
- Row non-motorized oar-framed boats such as drift boats and catarafts in white water conditions in Class 1-3 rapids.
Knowledge of:
- Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
- Fishery monitoring and sampling.
- Coded wire tag (CWT) detector operation.
- Passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detector operation.
Supplemental Information:
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
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
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following: Benefits
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.
Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
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.
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.