Title- Spawning Ground Survey Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 9.5 Months – August 28 – June 15
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Section
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

In this role, you’ll conduct stream surveys and collect vital data on hatchery and wild Chinook, coho, chum, pink, sockeye, steelhead, and lamprey populations in the scenic South Puget Sound watersheds and Hood Canal. Your work will include redd accounting, carcass sampling, and in-stream sampling—essential for determining hatchery versus wild salmonid escapement estimates, run reconstruction, and forecasting. These data drive management decisions for non-tribal sport and tribal commercial gillnet fisheries.

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

• Enumerate and monitor hatchery and wild salmon/steelhead redds plus live/dead fish counts with “Index” reaches surveyed every 7 –14 days
• Driving to and from surveyed reaches on both highway and off road conditions.
• Enumerate and monitor salmon/steelhead redds plus live/dead fish counts with “Supplemental” type surveys during peak spawning.  
• Tracking weather and stream flows, data organization and error checking.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Usually surveys alone or at times with other technicians or biologists in a wide variety of terrain and stream substrate conditions. Fieldwork is often done in inclement weather within varying stream flow and visibility conditions. Field work can be strenuous while walking in or along streams with slick boulders, crawling over logjams, wading across riffles with moderate – fast current or maneuvering watercraft listed above. Repetitively lifting and maneuvering of equipment upwards to or greater than 40 pounds. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: 40 hours per week. Workdays and hours are determined by weather, stream flows and visibility, and degree of spawning activity. A flexible hourly and daily work schedule is therefore needed to perform the assigned tasks. Weekends and holidays are included as potential workdays.

Travel Requirements: Duty station to work site.

Tools and Equipment: Raft, drift boat, pontoon boats, in a wide range of stream flows, stream viewing conditions, and obstacles. General raingear, waders, wading shoes raincoat, WDFW hat.

Customer Interactions: Potential interactions with private landowners while accessing survey sites.

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 1.

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: 

• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.
• College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Experience in elementary biology, in-the-field identification of live and dead salmonids.
• Experience identifying, interpreting, and monitoring salmonid/lamprey spawning activity by species.
• Knowledge of basic safe operation of rafts and boats in moving waters.
• The ability to be able to swim is highly recommended.

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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov 

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