FULL-TIME/CAREER SEASONAL
COMMERCIAL & CREEL MONITORING TECHNICIAN
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Fish Program - Fish Management 
Montesano, Washington - Grays Harbor County

Anticipated Appointment Length: 7 Months
August 1st - February 28th 

The salary listed above includes the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2024. 

We are seeking a motivated Commercial & Creel Monitoring Technician to assist with collecting vital data for managing fish resources in the Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay Watersheds. 

Our Commercial & Creel Monitoring Technician interacts with commercial fishers and recreational anglers to collect a variety of trip information and biological data. 

Provide critical support by gathering data necessary for Biologists to work effectively with federal, public, and private organizations to facilitate cooperative and effective collection and exchange of fishery returns.  

With that in mind, 

This is an opportunity to collect data from the non-treaty commercial fisheries in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor as a commercial on-board observer and sampler at dockside locations or fish houses.  

With your experience, you will examine landed salmon that may be used to estimate catch, effort, species origin, age, stock composition, and encounter rates of Chinook and/or coho.

In this dynamic role you will gather data used to estimate species abundances by mark type of each salmonid stock within the Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor commercial and recreational fisheries.

We are seeking candidates with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Duties:

Our Commercial & Creel Monitoring Technician,

Commercial Fishery Monitoring and Sampling: (August – November)

• Participate in the commercial gillnet fishery sampling landed catch and/or be a commercial on-board observer within Willapa Bay and/or Grays Harbor.
• Conduct biological sampling of landed salmon - this may include identifying mark status (presence or absence of adipose/dorsal fin), collecting scale samples (age/origin), coded wire tag recovery utilizing standard detection protocols (Coded Wire Tag (CWT); stock composition), identifying opercle punch, identifying t-tags/jaw tags, collecting DNA genetic tissue samples, document fork length, sex identification, and collecting any other biological samples.
• Maintain accurate and legible field records of data collected and observations made each day while onboard a commercial vessel or in a fish house or on the dock setting. 
• Maintain, in chronological order, tissue samples (genetics) and/or scale cards collected each day. 
• Reviews, summarizes, and provides data to project lead and all data, scale cards, and tissue samples need to be provided and submitted in a timely manner.  

Freshwater Recreational Creel Monitoring: (December - February) 

• Collect salmon and steelhead data from the freshwater recreational fishery in Grays Harbor freshwater river systems at boat ramps and along rivers through angler interviews and examination of landed fish that may be used to estimate catch, effort, species origin, age, stock composition, and encounter rates. 
• Conduct angler interviews and identify, record, and sample salmon and steelhead and other species landed within freshwater recreational fishery in the Grays Harbor basin. 
• Collect information regarding angler trips and record any encounters of salmon and steelhead that were required to be released. 
• Complete at a minimum one driving loop per day of designated angler access and/or use areas to enumerate the number of anglers present in the fishery. 
• All data collected will be documented, summarized, and tabulated into electronic devices (iPads) utilizing the iForm program and/or paper datasheets.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:    
  • The work environment is typically outdoors and can be physically demanding. 
  • During recreational fishery monitoring and commercial monitoring, duties are conducted at the dock, boat launch, gillnet vessel, fish house, riverine gravel bars, and forest trails.
  • Work hours are spent standing, walking, bending, negotiating boat ramps or slippery or muddy surfaces, boarding vessels, and lifting, handling, and manipulating fish and equipment up to 40 pounds approximately several times a week.  
  • Commercial on-board monitoring involves boarding gillnet vessels in the early morning hours and in wet conditions and staying on-board throughout their fishing day. 
  • Recreational fisheries monitoring involves hiking in streams with slippery, uneven surfaces and may include operating non-motorized boats.
  • All work includes wet/slippery environments, potential loud noise, close quarters, and potential repetitive work for long periods of time. 
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:   
  • The work may involve weekends, holidays, and evenings.   
  • Work hours can vary due to inclement weather, river conditions, access, stream flow patterns, fish densities, and length of daylight hours.
  • Field sampling start and end times usually fall outside of the normal 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. work schedules. Hours over 40 per week accrues as comp time.
• Travel Requirements:   
  • All travel for work purposes will be conducted using state vehicles from duty station to work site.
  • Travel requirements are within the Grays Harbor/Willapa Bay basins from duty station to assigned ports or freshwater river systems for recreational monitoring or ports or fish house sampling for commercial monitoring. 
  • Travel time will fluctuate daily depending on field site location.
• Tools and Equipment:   
  • Personal Flotation Device (PFD’s), DNA & Scale sample kits, large knife, rain gear, coded wire tag wand, iPads, and other supplies will be provided. 
• Customer Interactions:          
  • Communicate with the public (recreational or commercial anglers or landowners) regarding current fishery status and regulatory actions. 

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 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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

License/Certifications:

• Valid Driver's License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Experience identifying Pacific salmon, sturgeon, and marine mammals.
• Ability to quickly, accurately, and legibly collect and record data with attention to detail. 
• Salmon fisheries sampling experience, including working outdoors in varying weather conditions. 
• Boat experience. 
• Experience communicating and interacting with the public.

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 kaila.daudt@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 kaila.daudt@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.  

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.

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