Title- Weir Trap Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 2.5 months – April 2, 2025 – June 15, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program  
Duty Station- Mount Vernon, Washington – Skagit County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to gain valuable working knowledge and field experience in fisheries. 

In this role, conduct daily fish trap checks, collect data at Mannser Creek, and apply coded wire tags (CWT) to smolts at Baker Lake Dam to provide critical data for marine survival analysis and forecasting efforts.

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

Mannser Creek weir trap:

• Assist with the installation, removal, and maintenance of the Mannser Creek fence weir.  
• Check trap as assigned by supervisor, counting catch and marking coho smolts.
• Record trap check information daily (date, time, catch by species, individual fork lengths, and notes) and enter data into project database

Baker Lake Dam tagging: 

• Coordinate the coded wire tagging (CWT) of wild coho smolts captured in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Baker Lake fish trap by working cooperatively with PSE staff to arrange a daily sampling schedule. 
• Count and conduct coded wire tagging (CWT) on smolts and record data on provided tagging forms.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Trapping operations are dependent on fish migration and environmental conditions.
• This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Work sites are exposed to the elements meaning work will be conducted in rain, wind, and cold conditions.
• Regularly transport 5-gallon buckets of water in slippery conditions and uneven terrain and wear agency-provided PFD and other personal protective equipment as necessary.

Schedule: 40 hours a week, may require 7 days per week, including work on holidays and occasional night work. 

Travel Requirements: Daily travel throughout Skagit River basin and occasional travel to Mill Creek or Olympia.

Tools and Equipment: Coded Wire Tag (CWT) machine, scissors, scalpel, nets, rake, shovel, laptop computer, various personal protective equipment.

Customer Interactions: Interacts with the public, landowners, employees from other organizations and entities.

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: 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 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. Other computer-based agency training courses must be completed as assigned by the supervisor.

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

Experience: 

• Applying coded wire tags (CWT) to juvenile salmon.
• Identifying juvenile salmonids.

Competencies:

• Familiarity with study area streams.
• Familiarity with the Skagit River and its fish species.
• Construction skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively coordinate and communicate with landowners, co-workers and other fisheries.
• Familiar with salmon life history and safe fish-handling techniques.
• Intermediate computer and Microsoft Excel/Access experience.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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 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 #2025-01559.

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