Description

THREE (3) OPENINGS
FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT

SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 1

WDFW Fish Program
Ellensburg, Washington

Anticipated Appointment Length: 4.5 Months
June 1, 2023 – October 15, 20223

Do you enjoy working with salmonids? Do you have experience using set protocols to collect and enter data?

These positions serve to support sampling needs of several WDFW projects within the Yakima River Basin through efficient, accurate, and precise collection, recording, and compiling of data deemed necessary for ongoing analysis.

These positions support WDFW’s Fish Program Science Division’s strategic plan, promoting development and responsible use of sound, objective science to inform decision makers.

They also contribute to the science division’s strategic initiative to evaluate salmon and steelhead artificial production programs, and develop strategies to maximize the benefits of programs while maintaining acceptable risks to naturally spawning populations.

Rainbow trout – Photo Credit – Josh McLellan

With that in mind,

Picture yourself snorkeling upstream along the bank and down the center channel, identifying all fish species seen.

This is an opportunity to collect Rainbow trout, Chinook, and Coho salmon with backpack electrofisher for PIT tagging in the Yakima Basin.

With your experience, you will mount fish scales for ageing, process data in the laboratory, and enter data on the computer from data collected in the field.

We are seeking candidates who will support the WDFW mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities through habitat protection and enhancement activities.

Duties

Trout PIT tag – Photo Credit: Danny Didricksen

Our Scientific Technicians,

• Assist with population estimates using backpack electrofisher.
• Ability to transcribe data, identify fish species, measure/weigh fish, and carry equipment in a backpack up to 50lbs.
• Collect habitat measurements such as flow, stream widths and thalweg.
• Ability to row and maneuver a raft down river to study sites.
• Snorkel active Chinook redds recording numbers of precocious males.
• Conduct repair and maintenance of equipment.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work will be wading and snorkeling in the creeks and rivers of the Yakima River Basin sampling salmonids. Working in rivers has inherent dangers.
  • The incumbent must be comfortable and able to snorkel upstream and downstream, wade in the river for extended periods of time, in high/swift water conditions, on slippery and uneven surfaces, carry loads of approximately 50 pounds (backpack and 5-gallon buckets of water), and work under inclement weather condition.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, 7:00am-5:30pm Monday - Thursday.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Daily travel from Ellensburg to sample sites throughout the Yakima Basin.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Backpack electrofisher, PIT tag reader, waders, flow meters, rafts, and basic hand tools.
• Customer Interactions:
  • This is a field position that generally interacts with private landowners, peers, other federal, state, tribal, local, and private entities.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR

License:

Training:

Ability to:

• Collect data following set protocol.
• Accurately record data.
• Effectively communicate basic study objectives to the general public, landowners, etc.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Some experience in the following:
  • Snorkeling.
  • Backpack electrofishing.
  • PIT tagging.
  • Identifying salmonids.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials - your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor before you will be allowed to work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

Supplemental Information

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

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:

• Three professional references.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
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:
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.

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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.