Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - *03739

Washington State

  • Skamania County, WA Stevenson, WA
  • $3,376-4,497 per month
  • Temporary
  • Full-time
  • 11 days ago
DescriptionFULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)Fish Program - Fish Management Division
Stevenson, Washington - Skamania CountySeason Length: 7 months*April 1 - October 31*April through May this position will report to the lead Technician on the Wind River, and from June to October this position reports to the Biologist 2 in the Columbia River Management Unit (CRMU).In this role, you'll be monitoring the health and diversity of salmonid populations in the Columbia River and its tributaries, including species like chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead.Collaborate with a team of passionate field technicians, biologists, and hatchery staff to provide crucial data for assessing stock status and ensuring sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries.Floy Tagging Chinook - Photo credit: WDFWDutiesHere is what you will be doing,Tributary angler creel interviews:
  • Perform surveys to assess angling effort, counting angler vehicles and trailers at multiple, pre-determined river locations accessed by motor vehicle.
  • Sample fish with electronic CWT and PIT tag detection devices.
  • Interviewing sport anglers and recording catch by species, effort, and biological data; includes collecting biological samples from fish such as salmon, trout, and sturgeon.
  • Ensures scale cards, CWT snouts, DNA, and otolith sample collections are complete, properly documented, and submitted in a timely manner.
  • Accurately records field data using mobile digital data collection devices and established spreadsheets.
Collect mark-recapture data used to develop abundance estimates of juvenile steelhead via screw traps:
  • Deploy internal (PIT) tags on juvenile steelhead.
  • Examine live specimens and collect biological data (scales, lengths).
  • Use of rigging (cable, clamps) and tools, winches, ropes, and occasionally inflatable boats to place and secure traps in deep, swift water.
  • Use of provided personal protective equipment (dry suits, PFDs, waders), boats and rope systems to access floating screw traps.
Collect data used in mark-resight population estimators for adult steelhead:
  • Operate and maintain Shipherd Falls adult ladder trap.
  • Examine live specimens for existing visual and internal ID marks using visual inspection and electronic scanning equipment.
  • Deploy internal and external ID tags on adult and juvenile steelhead.
  • Collect scales, biological and morphological data from live specimens.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
  • Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Approximately 90% of the time this position is in a field environment. Staff will drive and hike along rivers interviewing anglers. This work is often completed alone and in all types of weather conditions. This will be full time outdoor work, centering on dawn and dusk periods.
  • Hazards include slipping, tripping, and falling from traversing slippery and uneven surfaces in and around rivers.
  • While working outdoors, candidates may be exposed to extreme temperatures, with the possibility of daytime highs greater than 100°F and daytime lows less than 30°F, with wind speeds greater than 25 mph. Duties are often conducted on wet slippery surfaces.
  • Physical environment requirements associated with performing the key work include the ability to hike up to 6 miles per day over rough, uneven terrain without designated trails and under adverse weather conditions along streams and rivers. Repetitively carry loads up to 70 pounds short distances over rough terrain. Actively roaming common areas for fishing to find and interview active anglers and those that have completed their angling day.
  • Other outdoor tasks include working in and around deep, swift flowing, cold streams and trap systems consisting of heavy rigging and moving parts and snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing/whitewater conditions.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
  • Candidate will need to accurately record repetitive data under adverse environmental conditions for long periods of time.
  • Boarding one fish trap requires use of a small, non-power boat, using ropes (no paddles or oars) to cover approximately 30 feet over 6-8' deep, flowing water.
  • Schedule:
  • 24/7, Non-scheduled, may work early/late hours, weekends, and holidays as needed. April to June is 8-5 and will include both weekend days.
  • Rotating and variable (night) shifts may occur.
  • Travel Requirements:
  • Most of the duties are conducted in the field away from the duty station.
  • Daily travel from the duty station to and from field locations is required with either a departmental issued vehicle or personal vehicle.
  • Tools and Equipment:
  • May include: the use CWT detectors, GPS units, weighing scales, snout knife, hemostats, mobile digital data collection devices, and agency computers. Most of the Wind River field work is accomplished wearing chest waders, dry suits or wet suits, PFDs, and frequently rain gear. Use of basic automotive hand tools, ropes, cabling, winches, etc. occurs frequently. Specialty equipment is regularly used for capture of fish (traps, seins) anesthesia, tagging, electronic scanning, and storing data.
  • Customer Interactions:
  • Maintain a calm demeanor when interacting with the public, personnel from other state agencies, and local landowners.
QualificationsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Graduation from high school or GED, including one 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 year of high school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
Certifications/Licenses:
  • Valid driver's license
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
  • Basic CPR and First Aid course within 1 month of hire.
  • Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and?training availability.
  • WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within?6 months of hire and?renewal expected annually.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all the following:
  • Snorkel training and certification.
  • CPR/First Aid certification.
Experience:
  • Working in and around rivers.
  • Wading in streams and swimming in water deeper than 5'.
  • With installation and operation of rotary screw traps and adult salmonid traps and seines.
  • With live handling, PIT tagging, and biological data collection on adult and juvenile salmonids.
  • Using iPad's and iForm for data collection and database downloads.
  • Conducting recreational angler creel surveys.
Ability to:
  • Operate inflatable boats on a flowing river is preferable.
  • Identify all anadromous salmonids in the Columbia River system.
  • Gather necessary angling information from members of the public accurately, efficiently, and in a concise manner as to maximize productivity of field operations.
  • Operate handheld GPS and data logger devices.
Knowledge of:
  • Tributary fishing techniques to include Artificial and Non-artificial methods.
  • Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
  • Fishery monitoring and sampling techniques.
  • CWT and PIT tag detector operation.
  • The local tributaries and fishing areas on the lower Columbia River.
  • Basic functions in MS Excel and Access.
Supplemental InformationPlease 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 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:JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:Learn about our and the 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:Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.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 EmployerVETERAN 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
. * 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
. * 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.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 .Follow us on social media:
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