Title- Fisheries Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 7 months – May 15, 2026 – December 8, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Ellensburg, Washington – Kittitas County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Yakima River from Wenas Wildlife Area – Photo Credit: WDFW

Step into a hands-on role at the forefront of salmon and steelhead fishery management on the Columbia and Yakima rivers.

In this position, you’ll play a key role in monitoring sport fisheries and collecting real-time data on angler effort, catch, and harvest—information that directly supports in-season management under U.S. v. Oregon. Your work helps ensure fisheries remain within regional allocations while protecting Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed species, guided by pre-season forecasts and ongoing updates from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC).

The data you collect will do more than inform daily decisions, it will contribute to long-term fishery sustainability. From supporting run reconstruction and future forecasting to assessing the health and origin of hatchery and natural populations, your efforts are essential to regional co-management and conservation goals.

This is a unique opportunity to work in the field, collaborate with biologists and partners, and make a meaningful impact on Washington’s iconic salmon and steelhead fisheries.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fisheries Technician will,

Conduct Creel Surveys on Lakes and Streams to Gather Information on Angler Usage and Harvest:

• Record and maintain accurate field data on angler participation in the Salmon Sport Fishery on the Yakima River and/or Columbia River.
• Maintain daily counts of vehicles and boat trailers at various access areas along the river to assess angler effort.
• Conduct on-site angler interviews at boat launches and shoreline access areas to collect fishery data.
• Collect biological data from harvested fish, including number, length, gender, fin clips, and coded wire tags, and collect scales for age analysis.
• Sample snouts from fish containing coded wire tags using standard field techniques; properly package and label samples.
• Ensure all biological samples are collected following field sampling protocols defined by the district biologist supervisor.

Conduct Stream Surveys:

• Collect post-spawn salmon carcasses in-river by boat and along shorelines within the WDFW District 4 waters of the Columbia and Yakima rivers.
• Follow sport fishery sampling protocols, including otolith collection (for aging and origin) and egg retention assessments to evaluate spawning success.
• Dissect female carcasses to determine spawn success.
• Cut all sampled carcasses in half to prevent duplicate sampling.

Vehicle and Boat Maintenance:

• Ensure assigned vehicles are fueled, cleaned, sanitized, and maintained on a daily basis.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is conducted primarily independently in the field and in all weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold, rain, and snow. Duties may involve hiking over rough or slippery terrain. Potential hazards include encounters with dangerous wildlife (e.g., rattlesnakes) and exposure to illegal activities. The position may require working alone at public fishing areas for up to 10 hours per day while conducting creel surveys. Many work locations are primitive, without facilities and immediate access to medical services.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Full-time position that may occasionally require working more than 40 hours per week. Scheduled days and hours of work may vary with morning and/or evening shifts and will require work on all weekends and holidays.

Travel Requirements:

Daily travel to public and primitive access sites along the Yakima and Columbia rivers (Upper Columbia and Hanford Reach). A state vehicle will be provided. Stream surveys will require travel and routinely working from boats on the Columbia River.

Tools and Equipment:

WDFW identifying jacket, vest and hat, vehicle, boats, clipboard, datasheets, scale cards, pencils, measuring tape, knife, tweezers, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag readers, coded wire tag (CWT) wand, bags, labels, life jacket (PFD), rain gear, gloves, waders, and mask.

Customer Interactions:

Daily interaction with anglers and the public while conducting creel surveys, including collecting information on fishing times, locations, catch, and harvest, as well as conducting biologically sampling of fish from individual anglers or boats.

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.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in fisheries or a closely related field.

Experience:

• One (1) year of field sampling experience.
• Proficiency in identifying freshwater and anadromous fish species of the Columbia River.
• Experience entering data using iPad FishForms (iForm), Excel and/or Access databases.
• Experience operating outboard boats and/or small river craft.
• Experience handling fish.
• Experience working outdoors in remote locations in all conditions.

Certifications:

• Boat operation certification.
• Motorboat Operation Training Certificate (MOTC).

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 (3) professional references with current contact 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: 2026-1234 – 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 #2026-03280.

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