Title- Spawning Ground Survey & Fish Sampling Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 8 Months – March 1 – October 31
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Science Division
Duty Station- Twisp, Washington – Okanogan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities? Turn your passion into a rewarding career!

Join the Methow Research Team and support the evaluation and monitoring of hatchery programs and wild fish populations in the Methow River Basin!

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Spawning Ground Survey & Fish Sampling Technician will,

Conduct spawning ground surveys for summer steelhead, spring Chinook salmon, and bull trout:

• Walk or row in rivers to collect redd and carcass data.
• Assist the lead biologist with schedule planning and pre-season organization of supplies.

Conduct stock assessment and broodstock collection activities for spring and summer Chinook salmon:

• Conduct stock assessment sampling at Wells Dam and Twisp weir, collecting various biological data from multiple species using equipment such as Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) readers, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) wands, and ultrasound machines.
• Monitor results to ensure fish collection or sampling objectives (such as hatchery or wild retention, male-to-female ratios, specific hatchery stocks, etc.) are met.

Assist with in-hatchery evaluation of spring and summer Chinook salmon and summer steelhead:

• Conduct pre-release sampling of juvenile fish at multiple hatcheries and acclimation ponds.
• Assist with fish handling and bio-sampling adult fish during spawning events at hatcheries.

Perform a variety of administrative or field work tasks to complete Methow Research Team objectives and deliverables:

• Assist with the collection and tagging of juvenile salmonids throughout the Methow Basin, including smolt trapping, angling, and electrofishing.
• Conduct quality assessment/control reviews of data in established databases.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is primarily conducted in the field, outside in inclement weather. Must be able to perform job duties and accurately record data under adverse conditions. Occasionally lift and carry weights of up to 75 pounds (such as fish, buckets of water, and equipment). This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Work hazards vary based on activity:

• Spawning ground surveys are conducted in cold, wet conditions (steelhead) and hot, dry conditions (Chinook). Walk uneven and slippery steam terrain up to 10 miles per day. Row rivers during high waters up to 20 miles per day, navigating large hydraulic river features and unstable log/debris dams, including in whitewater conditions.
• Adult fish trapping/sampling includes working long days at Wells Dam, Twisp River weir, and hatchery facilities, requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Work with and around sharp tools (such as fillet knives, tweezers, needles), anesthesia chemicals (MS-222), and ethanol. Lift and carry adult salmon over short distances.
• Remote fish capture/sampling requires hiking off-trail through uneven, slippery, dense riparian areas while carrying electrofishing/sampling equipment or a bucket of water, weighing up to 50 pounds. Use sharp tools (such as needles, fishhooks, tweezers).
• Smolt trapping/sampling is conducted March-June. The smolt traps may be slippery, icy, and unstable and are accessed via rope-guided boat during periods of high water. Experience frequent noise exposure from generators and water pumps. Use anesthesia chemicals (MS-222) and concentrated alcohol for sterilization and tissue preservation during fish sampling. Lift and carry buckets of water up and down ramps.
• Maintaining PIT tag interrogation sites can vary from fixing electrical issues to fixing underwater equipment during low water levels. Carry large, heavy object into and out of riverbed locations to replace antennas. Travel to sites may require snowshoes, skis, or snowmobiles.

Schedule: Typically, 40 hours per week. Days worked and length of the workday will vary depending on workload – may vary from under 8 hours to over 12 hours per day. During peak work periods, working nights, weekends, and holidays may be required. Weekend work will be required during run sampling and broodstock collection in May and June.

Travel Requirements: Travel to field locations throughout the watershed to accomplish project duties. Occasional travel beyond typical field locations may be required to attend meetings, training, or gather supplies from distant locations.

Tools and Equipment: Office work includes the use of software programs such as Microsoft Office applications, P4 (PIT tagging), DNR Garmin (GPS data), and R-studio (statistics and graphing). Field work uses various transportation including trucks, snowmobiles, ATVs, and pontoon boats. Fish sampling tools (such as angling equipment, backpack electrofishers, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detectors, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag detectors, sharp tools, and GPS devices), anesthetic (M-222), scales, and measuring devices. Personal floatation device and personal protective equipment.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.

Option 2: 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 or environmental 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:

An Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife, environmental, or natural resource sciences.

Experience:

• Walking up to 10 miles daily in rough, slippery terrain while carrying gear.
• Rowing a pontoon boat (or other watercraft) down rivers for up to 20 miles per day in class II – III rivers.
• Conducting spawning ground surveys for anadromous salmonids.
• Handling, sampling, and PIT tagging adult salmonids.
• Collecting biological data in field settings in a neat and precise manner.
• Using Microsoft Excel and Access.
• Using GPS units, PIT tag detectors, and PIT tag software.

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 #2025-02168.

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