Freshwater Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - 2026-06396

Working Title- Freshwater Monitoring Technician Classification- Scientific Technician 2 Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal Season Length- 7 Months –September 1 – March 31 WDFW Program- Fish Program – Regional Operations Duty Station- Forks, Washington – Jefferson County Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW! Photo Caption – WDFW catch sampling unit – Photo Credit: WDFW Are you passionate about protecting fish populations for future generations? Do you have strong interpersonal skills and experience remaining courteous and professional while addressing difficult situations? With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will conduct biological sampling of fish, collection of field data, and interview anglers to assess catch rates of salmon, steelhead, and other species, including in the Quinault and Queets river basins. In this dynamic role, you will assist with creel monitoring programs for fall salmon and winter steelhead fisheries.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position: Creel sampling. Conduct angler creel interviews to estimate catch of target species and incidental impacts on non-target species during freshwater recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries. Perform surveys to assess angling effort, counting angler vehicles and trailers at multiple, pre-determined river locations accessed by motor vehicles. Contact anglers to conduct creel interviews, travel by foot to contact bank anglers at river access points and monitor boat ramps for groups of returning boat anglers. Provide feedback about sampling protocols, and accurately record data in iPad application (iForm), paper data sheets, and on scale and tissue sample card paper forms. During interviews, ask pre-determined questions about an angler’s fishing experience (e.g., trip length, target species, and catch and/or harvest). Identify salmonids to species and sex. Data Legibly record data from duty 1 above. Accurately enter data to electronic devices. Perform a preliminary QAQC prior to syncing data. Summarize, prepare, write, text, call, or email data requested by supervisors or other WDFW management staff. Working Conditions: Work is primarily conducted in the field. Adverse weather and environmental conditions, noise, odors, and walking through vegetation and in uneven terrain in and near streams and rivers to obtain angler interviews. Climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime. Driving and hiking to fishing areas or driving to creel locations via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel along streams on private (logging) roads throughout the district using a state vehicle. Staff may need to hike up to 5 miles or boat up to 10 miles of stream over slippery and uneven terrain to reach anglers. Boating may include navigating up to class III whitewater. Must be comfortable and able to follow game and angler trails to remote sites in periods of low light or mid-day to find and interview anglers. 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, working 40 hours per week, requiring working on Saturday and Sunday. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening work as needed. Travel requirements: Considerable driving is required via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel on private (logging) roads. May have to shuttle State vehicles between Forks, Montesano, and Olympia. Customer Interactions: Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and co-managing Tribes, recreational anglers; interacts with the public during data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public. Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated. Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the public. Liaison to regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field. Ability to interact and maintain professionalism with colleagues, peers and the public regardless of intensity of interaction.

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. For both options above: Valid driver’s license. Preferred Qualifications: Experience sampling adult salmonids for marks and tags, including scanning fish for CWT’s. Experience using iPads for data collection. Ability to identify saltwater and river stage adult salmonids to species. Ability to identify sex of adult salmonids. Experience conducting creel surveys.

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: 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to View email address on click.appcast.io and reference job #2026-06396. Know someone who would like to volunteer? WDFW-Get Involved-Volunteer! Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram cp #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Washington