Title- Screw Trap and Tagging Technician 
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent 
WDFW Program- Fish Program  
Duty Station- Mill Creek, Washington – Snohomish County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

In this dynamic fieldwork role, you will play a key part in monitoring and research activities within the Lake Washington basin, working directly with juvenile salmonids in the Cedar River and Bear Creek.

Envision yourself operating rotary screw traps to capture and collect data on Chinook, coho, and sockeye salmon, while also leading Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging efforts  within the basin.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Screw Trap and Tagging Technician will,

Operate and help manage data collected from rotary screw traps in tributaries to Lake Washington:

• Operate rotary screw traps on the Cedar River and Bear Creek to capture juvenile salmon outmigrants from January - July, maintaining consistent daily trap check times.
• Identify (species and origin), count, measure, and accurately record biological data of fishes caught in traps. Take biological samples (otoliths, DNA, scales) of fish as assigned.
• Conduct trap efficiency tests with adequate samples sizes of marked fish in release groups.
• Perform data entry, quality control, and compilation of Cedar River screw trap catch data at least weekly during the trapping season and Bear Creek screw trap data as assigned.
• Assist with annual trap installations and removals and respond to trap stoppages.
• Help procure and maintain equipment and work sites to promote safety, efficiency, and professionalism.

Collect, coordinate, and manage data from juvenile salmon Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging projects in Lake Washington basin:

• Lead PIT tagging efforts of juvenile salmonids at the Cedar River and Bear Creek screw traps, local hatchery, or other locations in basin.
• Coordinate tagging schedule with screw trap technician, biologists, other Program (hatchery, hydroacoustics, fish management, etc.) staff, and staff from other federal, tribal, state, and local entities.
• Help test assumptions related to PIT-tag based mark-recapture survival and outmigration timing studies, including evaluating tag retention and post-tagging mortality of fish at screw traps and hatchery
• Help maintain inventory of PIT tags, tagging equipment, and data sheets, communicating any shortcomings to supervisor.
• Assist with routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and data retrieval from stationary PIT interrogation sites located throughout the basin.

Support other salmon population monitoring and research activities in Puget Sound, including Lake Washington and Snohomish River basins:

• Assist with adult salmon stock assessment (spawning ground) surveys and biological sampling of anadromous fishes, hatchery monitoring and evaluation programs, sport and commercial fishery sampling.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Most work will be conducted in the field as well as hatcheries. 
• Field conditions include work near, on, or above swift and debris-laden water, exposure to inclement weather and prolonged exposure to water and high/low temperatures. 
• Navigate slippery surfaces on traps and shore, rotating winches, cones, and drives that create pinching and crushing hazards, loud noises, repetitive movements of hands and finger manipulations and long periods of squatting and standing. 
• Heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs. unassisted), biting and stinging animals, use of tag syringes, knives, and scalpels, dyes (Bismarck Brown), ethanol, anesthetic compounds (MS-222) and working near large cranes and boom trucks. 
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 

Schedule: 

• 40 hours per week, 8-10 hours per day, with most work occurring from Monday - Friday. 
• Evening and weekend work, non-consecutive days off, and occasional long hours may be required to ensure continuous screw trap operation and to meet passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging goals during the trapping season from January - July. 
• A flexible field schedule is also required during the fall season when conducting adult salmon stock assessment work.

 Travel Requirements: 

• Daily travel to, from, and between field sites in the greater Seattle metropolitan area, and other sites in Puget Sound. 
• Occasional day or overnight travel around Western Washington may be required to assist with other projects or attend training. Possibility to use agency automobiles as well as personal vehicles if authorized.

Tools and Equipment: 

• Four (4) wheel drive vehicles, hand and electric power tools, manual worm-drive winches, aerators, dipnets, buckets and totes, knives, forceps, scalpels, tag syringes and implanter guns, PIT tag detectors, digital scales, length boards, chemicals (ethanol, MS-222) and dyes (Bismarck Brown), scale and genetic sample cards, datasheets, agency-owned cell phone and laptop, personal flotation device (PFD), personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Potential for supervised use of boat and cargo trailers, generators, outboard motors, inflatable rafts, and stationary PIT tag readers/controllers at interrogation sites.

Customer Interactions: 

• Interact with WDFW staff, tribal co-managers, federal (NOAA, USFWS, USGS, and USACE) and state agencies, local governmental agencies and organizations (City of Seattle, King County, cities of Renton and Redmond), private entities (watershed groups, Conservation Corps), school groups, landowners, fishermen, members of the public. Occasional contact with individuals in an urban setting who may be experiencing anger, distress, or frustration.

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 (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 Drivers License. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of various agency training assigned by supervisor, including but not limited to: 

• First Aid/CPR.
• Wilderness First Aid.
• Swiftwater Rescue

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Experience: 

• Collecting biological samples from and recording biological data of Pacific salmon.
• Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging juvenile salmonids.
• Recording, entering, compiling, and managing biological data, including PIT tag data, in electronic spreadsheets and databases.

Competencies: 

• Knowledge of safe live fish handling techniques, especially as they apply to juvenile salmonids.
• Familiar with salmon life history and behavior, mark-recapture methodology, and downstream-migrant juvenile salmonid trapping techniques (including rotary screw traps).
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable coordinating work with staff from other agencies and speaking with the public while in the field
• Ability to provide clear and concise project status updates both orally and in writing.
• Experience working in large, dynamic river systems during challenging conditions (rain, cold, high flows) and ability to identify, avoid, and mitigate potential hazards in such environments.

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 “Beefits” 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 #2024-13301.

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