Salmonid Trap Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent
Washington, USA · Columbia County, GA, USA
Description
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Working Title- Salmonid Trap Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 9.75 Months – August 3, 2026 – May 31, 2027
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Hatchery-Wild Interactions Division
Duty Station- Dayton, Washington – Columbia County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption – Tucannon River – Photo Credit: Alan Bauer
Are you passionate about ensuring sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities?
With your experience, you will collect, analyze, and report data relevant to multiple ESA-listed steelhead and fall Chinook populations.
We are seeking a candidate to assist the Touchet River Steelhead VSP project, Fall Chinook Program, and the Tucannon River Endemic Steelhead Evaluation Project.
WHAT TO EXPECT -
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:
Adult and juvenile salmonid weir/trap construction, installation, daily maintenance, and data collection.
- Conduct daily adult and juvenile trap checks.
- Assist with trap repair, construction, instream installation, and weir/trap removal.
- Collect, record, and ensure accurate physical and biological (species, size, and scale samples) data and field observations in a timely manner to ensure up to date field summaries are available.
- Make trap operation decisions based on observations of environmental conditions.
- Safe handling and anesthetization of adult and juvenile ESA listed salmonids and other fish species.
- PIT tagging adult and juvenile salmonids.
- Prep and maintain field gear for daily use.
Assist with the Fall Chinook Program at the Snake River Lab.
- Participate in weekly spawning activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery during fall chinook spawning.
- Spawning Ground/carcass fall chinook surveys in Lower Tucannon River (ability to walk 3-4 miles in a stream under all weather conditions).
- Fish ID and biological data collection at Lower Granite Dam fish trap.
- QA/QC of data, reconciliation, and summarization of data.
- Picking eggs, CWT retrieval and reading, scale and otolith sampling.
- Cooperate and maintain professional demeanor with other agencies at the adult trap such as but not limited to: NOAA, Nez Perce Tribe, Core of Engineers, Anchor QEA.
Assisting with other duties as required.
- Spawning ground surveys for spring chinook or summer steelhead.
- Hook and line sampling of residual hatchery steelhead.
- Data entry on multiple platforms.
- Data QA/QC.
- Format and upload/download of PIT Tag data to regional databases.
- Assist colleagues within Fish Science, Fish Management, and Hatcheries Division as assigned by supervisor and agreed upon (e.g. PIT Tag Array Installations and/or Maintenance, Creel Surveys, periodically assisting Lyons Ferry Hatchery staff with egg picking, raceway setup, and other tasks).
- Assist with mass PIT tagging activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery as needed.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: This position is a combination of both office and field duties.
In-stream adult traps and weirs, juvenile rotating screw traps, Lyons Ferry Hatchery, stream surveys (3-4 miles in length) in various SE WA streams and the Lower Granite Adult fish trap. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: Generally day shift, 8-10 hours per day, including weekends. Work conducted during the peak field seasons may include non-standard work hours (weekends, evenings/nights and/or holidays) and the possibility of weeks in excess of 40 hours.
Travel requirements: No overnight travel is expected. Daily travel is expected for juvenile and adult traps, completing field surveys, assisting in spawning activities at Lyons Ferry, Tucannon River, or other locations within SE WA. Daily travel to Lower Granite Dam may be required.
Customer Interactions: Possibility of interactions with private landowners during routine field trap checks, as well as contact required to complete spawning ground surveys. Answering questions from visitors and general public’s curiosity during field activities, and fielding calls from the public and directing them to appropriate contacts. While working at Lower Granite, the employee primarily interacts with staff from NOAA Fisheries, but occasionally with Army Corps of Engineers, Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Fish and Game, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1:
Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and two (2) years of professional or volunteer experience as a Scientific Technician.
Option 2:
Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and two (2) years of professional or volunteer 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.
License: Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- Demonstrated proficiency in the safe handling and anesthetization of adult and juvenile life forms of ESA listed salmonids.
- Experience in the identification of juvenile and adult salmonids and other fish species of southeast Washington and the Lower Snake River basin.
- Basic biological understanding of salmonid species in Pacific Northwest.
- Clear communication skills.
- Proficiency in computer skills, related to data entry/manipulations/word processing/Microsoft Office.
- Experience with multiple types of fish weirs and rotary screw traps.
- Experience with P4 and Microsoft Access for recording and managing data.
- Experience PIT tagging adult and juvenile steelhead and other salmonids.
- Basic construction abilities.
- Experience with spawning ground surveys.
- Ability to think critically when encountering problems in the field.
- Able to maintain calm demeanor when interaction with WDFW staff, the public, personnel from other state, federal, and tribal agencies, and local landowners.
- Swiftwater Safety training, CPR/AED/First Aid Training.
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 #2026-05411.
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