Title- Newaukum Spawning Ground Surveyor

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Career Seasonal

Season Length- 9 months – September 16 – June 15

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Rochester, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Marking Fall Chinook Redds – Photo Credit: WDFW

This opportunity offers valuable field experience in fisheries throughout the Newaukum River Basin.

Picture yourself conducting spawning ground surveys and collecting biological data, playing a crucial role in the conservation of salmon and steelhead populations.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Newaukum Spawning Ground Surveyor will,

Adult Salmonid Monitoring:

• Conduct salmon spawner surveys in accordance with established procedures and protocols by identifying, documenting, and monitoring salmonid redds, as well as recording live and dead fish counts within designated stream reaches.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely field records using iPads and iForms.
• Collect biological data from salmon carcasses, including assessing adipose and dorsal fin mark status (hatchery or wild origin) and collecting scales, coded wire tags (CWTs), DNA tissue samples, deploying and recovering carcass tags, and gathering other biological samples as needed.

Travel to and from Stream Survey Locations:

• Drive to and from stream survey sites using federal, state, county, and private logging roads throughout the Newaukum River Basin.
• Safely secure and transport field equipment, including rafts, while operating four-wheel-drive vehicles on slippery roads.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Primarily field-based, working in inclement weather and variable stream flow conditions. Some survey reaches exceeding 10 miles per day. The work requires moderate strength, agility, and endurance, and accessing stream reaches may involve difficult trail conditions. Daily lifting and carrying equipment weighing 40 pounds or more, moving boats, and operating four-wheel-drive vehicles on rough and slippery roads. This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

The standard work schedule requires flexibility and may include work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs, including weekends or holidays.

Travel Requirements:

Extensive local travel is required by driving to and from survey locations each day. Long-distance travel is generally not expected; however, travel of up to 200 miles may be required once or twice per year for training purposes.

Tools and Equipment:

Personal flotation devices (PFD), rafts, axes, saws, fire extinguishers, and stream survey gear.

Customer Interactions:

Interact with WDFW staff, the public, and landowners.

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.

Option 3: Equivalent education/experience.

Please Note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field may 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:

• Experience conducting adult salmonid spawning ground surveys, including redd identification.
• Personal or professional experience working in river environments, such as:
  • Rowing a watercraft on rivers.
  • Completing river rescue training
  • Moving on, in, or through rivers.
• Experience with data collection.

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 #2026-06539.

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