Working Title- Salmon Stock Assessment Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment/Season Length- 4.5 Months – August 16, 2026 – December 31, 2026

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division

Duty Station- Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County

The salary listed above does not include the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption - Chum salmon spawning - Photo Credit: USFWS - Pacific Region

Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities? Join our team and turn your passion into a rewarding experience!

In this dynamic role, you will operate adult traps, conduct spawning surveys, conduct biological sampling, and enter and summarize data for the area biologist.

We are seeking a candidateto collect data to be used for stock assessment, recovery, planning, and research relating particularly to ESA listed species.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Conducting Summer Chum and Coho spawning surveys.

Operating Adult Summer Chum traps and Assisting at the Snow Creek Weir.

Data Organization, Data Entry, QA/QC.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Primary duties are performed in field settings in and around rivers and streams, requiring walking up to five (5) miles per day over rugged, uneven, and often slippery terrain, both in and out of the water. The position involves frequent handling and sampling of fish weighing up to 50 pounds. Fieldwork is conducted in variable and sometimes extreme weather conditions. Accessing field sites may require driving on roads that are partially flooded or covered in snow. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments including operating a pontoon in areas with potential hazards such as log jams.

Schedule: Full-time, working 40 hours per week. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs. The standard work schedule requires flexibility. May be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period.

Travel requirements: Travel is required from the assigned duty station to river sites. Technicians will cover a large spatial area daily to survey. There is the possibility to use agency automobiles as well as personal vehicles if authorized.

Customer Interactions: Communicate with project volunteers, the public, private landowners, and tribal co-managers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one 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 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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

License: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

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 (3) 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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-05325.

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