Title- Boat Operations Supervisor 
Classification- Scientific Technician 4
Job Status- Full-Time – Career Seasonal
Season Length- 9 months – March 1 – November 30
Number of Vacancies- Two (2) 
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Puget Sound Management  
*Duty Station- Multiple Locations

*Apply to one (1) or both locations by submitting one (1) application. 
One (1) Position – Bellingham, Washington – Whatcom County 
One (1) Position – Port Angeles, Washington – Clallam County 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position plays a critical role in the management of Puget Sound salmon resources by supervising and conducting on-the-water activities, boat surveys, and recreational test fishing across Marine Areas 5 - 13. 

Responsibilities include overseeing boat maintenance, ensuring safety equipment and supplies are stocked, and contributing to the estimation and evaluation of recreational salmon fisheries.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Boat Operations Supervisor will, 

Plans, coordinates, and supervises all on-the-water vessel operations for recreational salmon fisheries in Puget Sound for fisheries management:

• Supervises staff conducting on the on-the-water intensive monitoring of mark-selective Chinook and coho salmon fisheries used to produce in-season catch and effort estimates, including test fishing and boat surveys.
• Plans and organizes all on-the-water operations and activities within their respective Marine Areas. Includes organizing, planning, scheduling and conducting recreational boat surveys and test fishing.   
• Conducts advanced season planning with unit staff and managers, and real-time on the water communication during boat surveys and test fishing.
• Ensures fisheries data has been accurately entered and uploaded by staff into electronic data devices (iPads) at the end of each shift.
• Hires and trains boat operators under their supervision, which may include both permanent and non-permanent staff. Assists other unit supervisors with hiring as needed.
• Performs all required supervisory administrative tasks including completing timesheet approvals in Total Time, Order Payment Forms (DocuSign), P-Card logs, vehicle mileage reports, inventory of field equipment, and travel expense vouchers using TEMS, ensuring their accuracy and timely completion.

Provides recommendations on staffing levels for boat operations to the unit manager.

• Conducts recreational test fishing and on-the-water boat surveys in the Marine Areas of Puget Sound during Chinook and coho salmon fisheries.
• Pilots WDFW research vessels to conduct on-the-water boat surveys. Intercepts recreational and charter fishing vessels at sea (stationary and while trolling) to conduct angler effort interviews. 
• Operates outboard boats, including trailering, coming alongside other boats in motion, launching and docking, in all types of weather conditions. Records returning ramp location, number of anglers, and target species for each boat intercepted. 
• Uses a variety of methods (weight and bait, downrigger, jigging, diver) to emulate the recreational salmon fishing fleet to catch Chinook and coho salmon.
• Collects biological data on salmon catch to obtain stock composition (DNA), age structure (scales), length information (legal and sublegal proportions) and hatchery/natural-origin fractions (mark-status proportions). 

Organizes and conducts boat maintenance and the processing of all vessel related documents and records:

• Tracks monthly and annual vessel maintenance logs and records for each vessel and vessel related purchases associated with on-the-water activities.
• Ensures that all 100-hour, 200-hour and 400-hour maintenance is scheduled in advance and performed in a way to minimize fishing and field crew downtime.
• Performs minor routine maintenance on the boat, motor(s), boat trailers, and test fishing equipment.
• Maintains vessel readiness and safety equipment checks for all unit vessels.  Checks are included in each vessel’s boat-use logbook.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Work is conducted both in the field (60%) and in an office environment (40%).
• Fieldwork may include exposure to inclement weather, loud noises, fish blood and slime, possible punctures from toxic fish spines or teeth, biting and stinging insects, and pollen.
• Work on slippery docks in marine environments which requires wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) while on docks or on the water.
• Other potential hazards include danger from vehicles and vessels during boat operation including launch and retrieval, rough water, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of squatting, walking, boating, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, lifting (40 lb. max), working and standing in a confined spaces, slippery surfaces, rain gear, and use of knives.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: This position is 24/7 (non-scheduled), 40 hours per week. Weekend and evening work is required. Overtime may be required.

Travel Requirements: Required travel to sampling locations within work area and occasional travel to other Puget Sound locations, seldom overnight. Must possess good driving skills especially during winter weather conditions.

Tools and Equipment: Agency uniform, outboard motorboat operation including proper and safe fueling, boat trailering, GPS, compass, data logger, fishing tackle and gear including downriggers, computer, use of agency vehicles including pick-up trucks, cell phones, coded-wire tag detectors, electronic data collection devices, iPads, weighing scale, VHF radio, AIS, Radar, calculator, knives, personal flotation device (PFD), marine survival suit, rubber boots and rain gear.

Customer Interactions: Interacts with the public, tribal co-managers, and other agency staff. May include interactions with individuals experiencing anger, distress, or frustration.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1:  

Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND five (5) years of experience as a Scientific Technician, three (3) years of which must be as a Scientific Technician 2 and/or 3 level.

AND 

One (1) year or more of lead or supervisory experience.

AND

Six (6) months or more of experience operating 16’-28’ length motorized vessels in marine waters.  

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 six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

Option 2: 

Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science AND five (5) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.  

AND 

One (1) year or more of lead or supervisory experience.

AND

Six (6) months or more of experience operating 16’-28’ length motorized vessels in marine waters.  

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 six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

 
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Unrestricted Driver’s License. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• HSI First Aid/CPR Certification (within the year of hire)
• Motorboat Operators Training Course (MOTC) (within the year of hire).

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Six (6) months or more experience fishing for salmon in Puget Sound or equivalent area.
• Ability to identify all salmon and common marine fish species found in Puget Sound.
• Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
• Safe operation of vessel, at times in adverse conditions, in the Puget Sound and proficient in the use of typical marine electronics such as GPS, depth finder, radar, and radios.
• Familiar with WDFW Sport Fishing Regulations.
• Ability to work well with a diverse group of people as well as members of the public.
• Washington Boater’s Card or Motorboat Operators Training Course.

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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-00214.

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