Title- Coastal Marine Fish Scientific Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 7 Months – March 1 – September 30
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

All aboard! Join the Fish Program’s Coastal Marine Fish Science Unit, participate in at-sea research studies, and collect data on recreational and commercial marine fish fisheries.

Provide essential scientific information that will be used to assess and manage marine fish species that support economically and socially valuable commercial and recreational ocean fisheries off Washington, Oregon, and California. 

The data you collect will be used by state and federal scientists in stock assessments to inform both the status and management of healthy coastal marine fish populations and overfished species under federal rebuilding plans.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Coastal Marine Fish Scientific Technician will,

Dockside sample marine fish landings at Washington’s coastal ports, primarily at Ilwaco, Chinook, and Westport, and secondarily at La Push and Neah Bay:

• Collect biological information (weight, length, sex, maturity, genetic tissue samples, ageing structures) on various marine fish species caught by commercial and recreational groundfish fisheries, commercial coastal pelagic species (CPS) fisheries, and research project landings.
• Evaluate catch and species composition of fishery landings.
• Correctly identify marine fish species, including the approximately 100 species of groundfish and 10 CPS (such as anchovy, sardine, mackerel, squid) found on the Washington coast.
• Enter data and conduct data Quality Assurance/Quality Control following unit protocols.
• Operate agency research vessels.

Participate in at-sea research surveys of the marine fish species that inhabit Washington’s coastal waters from the Washington/Oregon border, Sekiu River, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and extending to the California/Mexico border:

• Deploy on multiple single-day trips on agency research vessels, chartered research vessels, or commercial fishery vessels.
• Assist with daily project operations, including but not limited to, collecting fishing effort and catch composition data, collecting biological data (weight, length, age structures, genetic tissue samples, eDNA), and accurately identifying species.

Process samples at the Region 6 headquarters laboratory:

• Process fins (dry, cut, mount), otoliths, spines, vertebras, and other fish structures or tissues for age reading or other scientific evaluation.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work settings may include onboard vessels while at-sea, coastal beaches and estuaries, fish buying facilities, recreational or commercial fishing docks, laboratories, and office environments. At-sea work may be performed onboard agency-owned vessels, chartered vessels, or commercial fishing vessels.
• Work outdoors in unprotected coastal waters and on slippery, moving decks and docks in rough seas and severe inclement weather. Navigate steps and ladders. Frequently and repetitively lift up to 50 pounds of fish or equipment unassisted over a 10-hour work shift. Communicate on a CB/VHF radio and around loud motors and other vessel equipment.
• Process biological samples in a laboratory setting up to 10 hours per shift.
• Other potential hazards include vessel mechanical failure, working with sharp objects (sampling equipment, knives, fish spines), and repetitive movements from processing fish samples and computer data entry.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Schedule is determined by ocean conditions, weather conditions, and vessel offload schedules, requiring a high level of flexibility, and includes workdays, evenings, nights, and weekends.

• At-sea surveys can require up to 14-hour workdays and up to 80-hour workweeks.
• Dockside sampling involves up to 14-hour workdays and is typically conducted within a 40-hour workweek.
• Fieldwork occurs 24/7 and is dependent on ocean conditions and vessel schedules.
• Office/Laboratory work is typically Monday-Friday, 8 A.M. – 5 P.M., or four (4) 10-hour shifts.

Travel Requirements: Travel will be necessary for some projects and will entail multiple nights with lodging at agency expense. Meals may be provided for the group, or individuals may be responsible for acquiring food for personal use from grocery stores or restaurants, at agency expense during travel. Extended travel of up to one (1) month may be required to accomplish at-sea surveys (extended trips are on an as-need basis which typically occur no more than once per season and include periodic stops at port).

Tools and Equipment: Environmental sensing equipment and visual survey equipment, personal computer, electronic data loggers, electronic and mechanical scales, fishing rods/reels, pressure washer, tagging guns, knives, dissection tools, measuring boards, cameras, and vehicles/vessels.

Customer Interactions: Interact with the public while port sampling. Interact with commercial skippers, crew, and research biologists and scientists during research surveys, and office staff and dockside crew at commercial fish dealer/processing plants. May report suspected violators and serve as expert witness in specific court cases.

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: 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 Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
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 the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Experience:

• Trailering and operating outboard vessels—can safely and expertly operate agency research vessels.
• Using Excel, iForm, Access, and email software at a basic level.

Knowledge of/Familiarity with:

• Commercial fishery landing and processing operations, and sport fishery operations.
• Commercial and sport fishing marine gears, methods, and regulations.
• Marine fish sampling techniques and random sample design.
• Operating electronic sampling and tagging equipment including Coded Wire Tag (CWT) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag equipment, environmental sensing equipment, and GPS tracking equipment.
• Using laboratory equipment including microscopes, precision saws, and fume hoods—capable of operating lab equipment safely following State and Federal guidelines.

Skills/Ability to:

• Strong marine fish species identification skills and can correctly identify the approximately 100 species of groundfish and 10 coastal pelagic species (CPS) found on the Washington coast.
• Follow procedures for collecting and processing biological ageing structures (otoliths, fins) from a variety of marine fish species.
• Collect data systematically with a high degree of accuracy, precision, and completeness while in the field, including at sea.
• Review and compile data collected by themselves for quality control.
• Clearly communicate verbally and in writing with individuals and groups within and outside of the agency.

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 danielle.gustafson@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: 2025-1234 – 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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-00669.

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