WDFW staff comprise a talented and passionate group of people dedicated to protecting Washington’s Fish & Wildlife Resources.

Become part of a dynamic team that is invested in making a difference in the conservation of Washington State’s salmon, marine fish, and shellfish species.

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you then apply today and join the WDFW Team!

The optimal candidates are respectful team players who are motivated, hard-working, and dependable.

This is an opportunity to gain valuable conservation experience while working in the great outdoors!

We are seeking candidates who will support the WDFW mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities through habitat protection and enhancement activities.

Duties:

Our Fisheries Technicians,

• Sample predominantly recreational fisheries for salmon, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and other marine fish.
• Observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.
• Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand detectors).
• Classify, sort, and enumerate marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.
• Retrieve CWTs from the snouts of Chinook and Coho salmon to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Sample recreational and or commercial salmon catch for biological data including DNA, age (scales), and sex ratios.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is primarily conducted in the field.
  • May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for 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, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, may transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, 8 to 10 hours per day between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
  • 24/7 non-scheduled, 40 hours per week.
  • Weekend and evening work are required.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel within the Puget Sound area - seldom overnight travel.
  • May be required to use personal vehicle for work when an agency owned vehicle is unavailable.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • iPad, cell phone, electronic sampling equipment (CWT detector), weighing scale, calculator, knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, tide book, canopy for shade, portable table, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard, and scissors.
  • This position is provided a personal flotation device (PFD), WDFW apparel, gloves, rain gear, and copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial harvester or fishers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers.
  • Interacts with the public daily for fisheries 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 general public.
  • Liaison with regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

  REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  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.

  • Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

  OR

  • 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.

  PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Experience conducting creel and sampling fisheries in Puget Sound or a similar area.
  • Knowledge of salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species.
  • Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
  • Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear. Experience working with members of the public.

  Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply.