What to Expect
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Coastal/Puget Sound Sturgeon Monitoring Lead will:
Collect field data:
- Assist in using setlines, gillnets, and rod and reel surveys to capture sturgeon during monitoring surveys.
- Collect biological data on sampled sturgeon, surgically implant acoustic transmitters, and ensure fish are handled with care.
- Conduct field surveys while working aboard/operating a 23-foot jet boat or working aboard a commercial fishing vessel.
- Assist with sonar monitoring, which includes the field deployment of the sonar and in-office sonar footage review using the applicable software required to process collected sonar data.
- Assist with collecting water samples for microchemical or eDNA analysis.
- Assist with data processing using Microsoft applications, digitizing files, archiving, and following record retention policies.
- Observe sturgeon gonads using an ultrasound imaging, endoscope, and otoscope/speculum techniques to assign sex and stage of maturity on live adult fish.
- Lead other WDFW and non-WDFW staff in field sampling, data quality assurance/control (QA/QC) surveys, and laboratory tasks.
Acoustic array maintenance:
- Deploy and retrieve acoustic receivers in Washington bays and estuaries for Green and White Sturgeon monitoring.
- Download and perform maintenance on acoustic array quarterly.
- Maintain and build mooring gear for acoustic receivers using hand tools.
- Assist with data processing using Microsoft applications and applicable acoustic telemetry software.
- Lead other WDFW and non-WDFW staff in the deployment, retrieval, maintenance, and downloading of Acoustic Array.
Gear preparation and maintenance:
- Source, build, and repair field gear, including gillnets, setlines, and angling equipment.
- Prepare bait for the sturgeon monitoring surveys.
- Lead in the maintenance of equipment and equipment storage. Including, but not limited to, proper sharps disposal, surgical equipment maintenance, and personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling biological samples.
- Lead other WDFW staff in the preparation and maintenance of field gear.
- Manage project vehicle logs, mileage, and routine maintenance.
- Manage project vessel logs, usage, and routine maintenance. Including, but not limited to, outboard oil changes, jet impeller maintenance, water-fuel separator, and routine boat trailer maintenance.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
- Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.
- Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, 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 or environmental science classes.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability. The following must be completed and obtained within six (6) months of hire:
- Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC)
- Washington Boater Education Certification
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
Certificates:
- Boater Education certificate.
Working Knowledge of:
- Natural habitats of freshwater and saltwater commercial and sport fish species.
- Sturgeon spawning habits and habitats.
- Commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
- Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and basic computer file management.
Experience:
- Operating vessels for sturgeon research.
- With the various aspects of the Department’s complex multi-agency sturgeon, eulachon, and/or lamprey research and monitoring projects.
- Conducting setline, gillnet, and/or rod and reel surveys.
- Acoustic tagging sturgeon, including performing surgery and tag implantation on live fish.
- Working aboard a fishing or research vessel.
- With the following equipment:
- Setline gear
- Laboratory equipment used to prepare fin ray samples
- Deploying and retrieving acoustic receiver arrays.
- With basic boat and boat engine maintenance.
Ability to:
- Perform the following sampling procedures:
- Accurate length and weight measurements on live fish.
- Implementation of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags using a PIT tag injector.
- Hard-part sample collection for age analysis.
- Genetic sample collection.
- Ultrasound imaging techniques to assign sex and stage of maturity on live adult fish.
- Identify White and Green sturgeon, eulachon, and common salmonid species of western Washington.
Salary range: $4,119.00 – $5,531.00 Monthly
Application deadline: September 21, 2025
