Shellfish Field Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 3 Openings - 2026-03416
Mt Adams Resource Stewards
Washington, USA · Multiple locations
Description
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Title- Shellfish Field Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 3 months - June 9, 2026 – September 8, 2026
Number of Vacancies- Three (3)
WDFW Program- Fish Program*Duty Station- Multiple Locations, Western Washington
*Two (2) positions – Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County
One (1) position – Port Orchard, Washington – Kitsap County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Measuring Dungeness Crab– Photo Credit: WDFW
This opportunity offers valuable fieldwork experience, conducting recreational creel surveys for crustaceans, intertidal shellfish, and squid throughout Puget Sound.
With a strong emphasis on customer service, you will engage with the public while collecting, entering, and summarizing field data through beach and dockside interviews
You will also gather data on vessel and harvester counts, and conduct biological sampling to support sustainable fisheries management decisions.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Shellfish Field Technician will,
Conduct creel and effort surveys to collect harvest data that supports and informs assessments of recreational crab, shrimp, intertidal bivalve, squid, seaweed, and other fisheries:
- Interview recreational fishery participants at assigned access points.
- Properly implement interview procedures and sampling protocols and accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms.
- Collect data designed to evaluate recreational harvest, including counting, measuring, and weighing harvested shrimp, crab, bivalves, squid, and seaweed.
- Collect catch record card (CRC) recording compliance data for the Puget Sound recreational Dungeness crab fishery.
- Professional interaction with the public, including conducting outreach and education
- Conduct harvester effort sampling to quantify daily shellfish harvester intensity through ingress/egress surveys and perform effort surveys for recreational shrimp and bivalve fisheries from boats or land and enter data into mobile device applications.
- Liaison to regional supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.
Data entry, review and summarization:
- Conduct error checks of sampling data.
- Enter and upload recreational shellfish catch information gathered through recreational fisher interviews.
- Enter data from crustacean and intertidal stock assessment surveys which may include samples processed in the field and in a wet lab setting.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:
- Work occurs both in both field and office environments.
- Field work occurs in inclement weather on public beaches, dockside and access sites, and aboard various vessels in marine waters (including a 38’ WDFW Vessel, the #699 research vessel and smaller watercraft including outboard motorboats, inflatable rafts, and 24’ - 34’ agency vessels). Boat-board work is conducted in all waters of Puget Sound and the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
- Periodically lift and carry heavy or awkward loads (up to 50 lbs) over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, mud, and steep banks.
- Stoop, squat, and bend for extended periods of time while digging holes in difficult substrates on beaches.
- Lift and maneuver field equipment overhead, including loading onto vehicle roof racks.
- Office-based work will require work sitting at a computer for prolonged periods, as well as utilizing scanners and copiers, and processing samples in a wet lab.
Schedule: 24/7 non-scheduled. Typically, 6 - 12 hours per day between 5:00 A.M. – 11:00 p.m., 40 hours per week. Weekend and evening work required.
Travel Requirements: Occasional overnight travel required seasonally. May be required to use personal vehicle for work use, with mileage compensated, if an agency vehicle isn’t available.
Tools and Equipment: iPad, electronic sampling equipment weighing scale, calculator, calipers, head lamp, buckets, tally counter, paper forms, labels, pencils, pens, and clipboard, personal flotation device (PFD), WDFW apparel, gloves, rain gear, GPS units, cellphones, motor vehicles, navigation systems, hip waders, chest waders, microscopes, and cameras.
Customer Interactions:
- Interact with WDFW staff and tribal partners, commercial harvesters, fish and shellfish buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers.
- Engage with the public during data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, agency programs and activities and sport fishing regulations. May include possible contact with individuals who are experiencing anger or frustration.
- Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.
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.
- Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.
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:
Experience with:- Six (6) months of professional fieldwork experience.
- Six (6) months of professional biological data collection experience.
- Six (6) months interacting with the public and providing customer service.
- Conducting creel surveys and sampling fisheries.
- Delivering education and outreach on scientific topics.
- Electronic data collection tools.
- Specialized data collection forms and mobile applications.
- Using GPS equipment in field setting.
- Collecting biological data using electronic scales and scientific calipers.
Competencies:
- Knowledge of locally occurring crustacean species.
- Familiarity with current recreational crustacean harvest regulations in Puget Sound.
- Knowledge of recreational crabbing and shrimping methods and gear.
- Familiarity with the geography of Puget Sound and Hood Canal region.
Your application must 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
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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 #2026-03416.
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