State of Washington
Viable Salmonid Population Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non
State of Washington, Walla Walla, Washington, United States
Job Title:
Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) Monitoring Technician – Scientific Technician 2 – Non‑Permanent – 2025‑09136
Department:
WDFW – Fish Program – Fish Management Division – Region 5
Appointment Length:
4 months – February 2, 2026 – May 28, 2026
Job Summary Support the steelhead lead to conduct VSP and fishery monitoring activities, maintain adult fish weirs, complete spawning surveys, manage data, and assist in mitigation and design study changes for ESA‑listed winter steelhead.
Responsibilities
Conduct salmonid spawning ground surveys on Lower Columbia River tributaries to collect data for VSP parameters and adult abundance estimates.
Identify, count, and record live and dead adult salmonids and redds; collect biological data from fish and carcasses.
Install and maintain adult fish weirs; support field set‑up and de‑setup.
Operate handheld data collection devices such as Tough Pad, iPad, GPS, PIT tag reader, CWT detector, and backpack electroshocker.
Enter and proof collected data into spreadsheets and the TWS database; ensure timely submission.
Download, proof, and upload finalized GPS data.
Manage biological sample records and coordinate with data managers.
Contribute to field reporting and data management for monitoring programs.
Working Conditions
Approx. 80% fieldwork, 20% office.
Outdoor work in all weather, often wet and slippery; exposure to odors.
Hiking up to 6 miles/day on rough terrain; lifting gear up to 70 lbs.
Operations include boat entry, Class 3+ rapids, and snorkeling in cold fast water.
Extended periods of repetitive data collection.
Task may involve entering or near water environments.
Schedule & Travel
Full‑time, 40 hours per week with a flexible 24‑hour schedule; shifts vary by operational need.
Daily travel to field locations; no overnight travel required.
Tools and Equipment
Agency and tow vehicles, 4×4, windsurf, pontoon catarafts, 200‑ft beach seines, PIT injector, PIT reader, CWT detector.
Handheld data loggers, GPS units, scales, computer or palmtop.
Backpack electrofishers, dissolved oxygen meter, flow meters.
Customer Interactions
Explain project objectives to landowners in the field.
Handle encounters with pets and wildlife.
Coordinate with other State and Federal agencies as needed.
Qualifications
Option 1: High school diploma/GED, 1 year high‑school science coursework, and 2 years experience as Scientific Technician 1.
Option 2: High school diploma/GED, 1 year high‑school science coursework, and 2 years laboratory/field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
College coursework in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, or natural sciences (6 semester or 9 quarter hours) may substitute for experience.
Certifications / Licenses
Valid driver’s license.
Basic CPR/First Aid certification.
Preferred Qualifications
1+ year adult trapping (weirs) experience.
Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
Fishery monitoring and sampling experience.
Operating CWT & PIT detectors.
Basic carpentry skills.
Microsoft Office suite proficiency.
Operating non‑motorized boats (pontoon, cataraft, drift).
Identifying adult/juvenile salmonid species and redds.
Handheld GPS and data‑logger operation.
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications are eligible for preference during the initial application review. Submissions should include contact and service verification as described in the posting.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer WDFW is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Union Information Position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.
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Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) Monitoring Technician – Scientific Technician 2 – Non‑Permanent – 2025‑09136
Department:
WDFW – Fish Program – Fish Management Division – Region 5
Appointment Length:
4 months – February 2, 2026 – May 28, 2026
Job Summary Support the steelhead lead to conduct VSP and fishery monitoring activities, maintain adult fish weirs, complete spawning surveys, manage data, and assist in mitigation and design study changes for ESA‑listed winter steelhead.
Responsibilities
Conduct salmonid spawning ground surveys on Lower Columbia River tributaries to collect data for VSP parameters and adult abundance estimates.
Identify, count, and record live and dead adult salmonids and redds; collect biological data from fish and carcasses.
Install and maintain adult fish weirs; support field set‑up and de‑setup.
Operate handheld data collection devices such as Tough Pad, iPad, GPS, PIT tag reader, CWT detector, and backpack electroshocker.
Enter and proof collected data into spreadsheets and the TWS database; ensure timely submission.
Download, proof, and upload finalized GPS data.
Manage biological sample records and coordinate with data managers.
Contribute to field reporting and data management for monitoring programs.
Working Conditions
Approx. 80% fieldwork, 20% office.
Outdoor work in all weather, often wet and slippery; exposure to odors.
Hiking up to 6 miles/day on rough terrain; lifting gear up to 70 lbs.
Operations include boat entry, Class 3+ rapids, and snorkeling in cold fast water.
Extended periods of repetitive data collection.
Task may involve entering or near water environments.
Schedule & Travel
Full‑time, 40 hours per week with a flexible 24‑hour schedule; shifts vary by operational need.
Daily travel to field locations; no overnight travel required.
Tools and Equipment
Agency and tow vehicles, 4×4, windsurf, pontoon catarafts, 200‑ft beach seines, PIT injector, PIT reader, CWT detector.
Handheld data loggers, GPS units, scales, computer or palmtop.
Backpack electrofishers, dissolved oxygen meter, flow meters.
Customer Interactions
Explain project objectives to landowners in the field.
Handle encounters with pets and wildlife.
Coordinate with other State and Federal agencies as needed.
Qualifications
Option 1: High school diploma/GED, 1 year high‑school science coursework, and 2 years experience as Scientific Technician 1.
Option 2: High school diploma/GED, 1 year high‑school science coursework, and 2 years laboratory/field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
College coursework in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, or natural sciences (6 semester or 9 quarter hours) may substitute for experience.
Certifications / Licenses
Valid driver’s license.
Basic CPR/First Aid certification.
Preferred Qualifications
1+ year adult trapping (weirs) experience.
Fish marking/tagging techniques and protocols.
Fishery monitoring and sampling experience.
Operating CWT & PIT detectors.
Basic carpentry skills.
Microsoft Office suite proficiency.
Operating non‑motorized boats (pontoon, cataraft, drift).
Identifying adult/juvenile salmonid species and redds.
Handheld GPS and data‑logger operation.
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications are eligible for preference during the initial application review. Submissions should include contact and service verification as described in the posting.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer WDFW is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Union Information Position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.
#J-18808-Ljbffr