Title- Commercial Fisheries Sampler Supervisor
Classification- Scientific Technician 3 (ST3)
Job Status- Full-Time / Career Seasonal
Season Length- 8.5 months – March 25 – December 7
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Puget Sound Sampling Unit
Duty Station- Bellingham, Washington – Whatcom County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position oversees dockside sampling operations, ensuring accurate collection and validation of recreational and commercial fisheries data for salmon, halibut, lingcod, marine fish, and shellfish. 

The Commercial Fisheries Sampler Supervisor recruits and manages sampling staff to meet fisheries monitoring goals.

Directly support Tribal and WDFW biologists in assessing fish populations and managing sustainable fisheries. 

By maintaining data accuracy and refining sampling protocols, this role plays a critical part in achieving catch allocations and spawning escapement targets.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Commercial Fisheries Sampler Supervisor will,

Staff Recruitment, Supervision and Data Review:

• Recruit, supervise, and review data for commercial staff.
• Ensure proper execution of sampling designs and accurate data collection.
• Provide ongoing feedback, coaching, and performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Manage and submit Order Payment Forms (OPFs), purchasing cards (P-Cards), and Travel and Expense Management System (TEMS) transactions for themselves and direct reports.

Fishery Sampling & Data Collection:

• Sample recreational and commercial fisheries for salmon, halibut, lingcod, other marine fish, and shellfish to determine catch per unit effort and species composition.
• Sample commercial salmon catch from both tribal and non-tribal fisheries at seafood processing plants. Coordinate with commercial fish buyers to schedule sampling duties from July 25 to December 7.
• Conduct creel interviews at boat launches, marinas, and shore-based fishing locations for recreational fisheries from March 25 to July 24.
• Assist in developing sampling protocols and ensure accurate data recording using electronic data collection applications and scale card paper forms.

Other Duties:

• Occasionally assist with test fishing and angler effort surveys (boat surveys) in Marine Areas of Puget Sound during mark-selective fisheries.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is conducted both in the field and in an office environment.
• Fieldwork includes inclement weather, rough water conditions, and confined spaces.
• Exposure to loud noises, strong odors, fish blood and slime, toxic fish spines or teeth, biting and stinging insects, pollen, and the use of knives.
• Tasks require repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, squatting, walking, boating, carrying, kneeling, and occasional lifting of up to 40 lbs.
• Work involves vehicle and vessel operations during boat launch and retrieval, sample salmon from boats, climb in and out of vessels, work on slippery docks in a marine environment, and properly wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times when working on docks or water.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

• Non-scheduled work hours are typically 8-10 hours per day between 5:00am and 11:00pm, 40 hours per week.
• Weekend and evening work are required. May work more than 40 hours per week.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel within the Puget Sound area with occasional overnight travel.

Tools and Equipment:

• iPad, cell phone, electronic sampling device (Coded Wire Tag detector), weighing scale, calculator, knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, tide book, canopy for shade, portable table, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard and scissors, Outboard motor boat operation including proper and safe fueling, boat trailer, GPS, compass, fishing tackle and gear including downriggers, computer, VHF radio, marine survival suit, government vehicle, gas credit card, PFD, first aid kit, WDFW apparel, rubber boots, gloves, and rain gear.
• Provided copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.

Customer Interactions:

• Engage with WDFW staff and Tribes, commercial anglers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers, and the public during data collection.
• Provide basic fisheries information and explain sport fishing regulations to the public, including occasional interactions with upset individuals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.  

OR

Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, 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 or environmental science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency Supervisor Training within six (6) months of hire.
• Successful completion of agency Culture of Feedback training within six (6) months of hire.
• Obtain Health and Safety Institute (HSI) CPR/First Aid Certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire and maintain certification every 2 years.
• Completion of the Washington Boater’s Safety Course prior to boarding vessels.

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

• One (1) year or more of supervisor or lead experience.
• One (1) year of experience creel sampling recreational and commercial fisheries in Puget Sound or a similar area.
• Able to identify all salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species.
• Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
• Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
• Proper fish handling technique.
• Experience with Microsoft (MS) Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, Teams and MS Windows.

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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-02144.

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