Chehalis River Basin Technician - Scientific Tech 3 - Career Seasonal - 2026-00898

Full Job Description

Title- Chehalis River Basin Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 3

Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal

Season Length- Six (6) months – April 1 – September 30
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Science Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Western Toad – Credit: Scott Fitkin

This position supports and supervises field research in the Chehalis River Basin by surveying for stream-associated amphibians in the upper basin and Olympics; Western Toad instream breeding within the whole basin; both fish and amphibians in off-channel wetlands in the floodplain; and Freshwater Mussel surveys in the basin.

Data from this study will inform and evaluate habitat restoration, potential impacts of proposed flood control alternatives and watershed plan development in the Chehalis River Basin.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Technician will,

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: The incumbent performs a variety of outdoor tasks in field conditions that may include inclement weather, dense understory vegetation, muddy wetlands, slippery river rocks, steep slopes, clear cuts, heat, cold, and biting insects.

Fieldwork occurs throughout the Chehalis Basin and may require overnight stays.

Field environments include managed timberlands, river floodplains with dense understory, agricultural settings, urban and suburban stormwater areas, and mainstem river reaches.

Fieldwork requires extended periods on hands and knees, bending, walking, and crawling through challenging terrain while carrying and deploying up to 40 lbs. of field equipment. The amount of kneeling or stooping while overturning cover objects is substantial and should not be underestimated.

The incumbent must be comfortable navigating and working safely across these landscapes on foot and/or by small boat to access survey locations. Work includes snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing or whitewater conditions and walking over rough terrain in varying environmental conditions.

A small portion of time is spent in an office environment. This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require safe navigation and performance of duties in aquatic environments.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days): This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week typically (M-Th: 7am-5pm).

The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional (though rare) evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: This position will travel daily in state vehicles to and from job sites.

Tools and Equipment: Desktop Computers, GIS, GPS, cameras, inflatable boats, and iPad’s

Customer Interactions: Interaction may occur with Weyerhaeuser employees on managed lands, private landowners on private property, and federal agencies such as the National Park Service (NPS) and U.S.

Forest Service (FS). The incumbent will collaborate with tribal employees and tribal members on selected efforts.

University, federal, county, and state employees may also engage with the team for information sharing and project development.

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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural or environmental science classes.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Though snorkeling activities are currently suspended, snorkeling is an essential job function. When/if snorkeling activities resume, employee will be required to obtain and maintain snorkeling certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Three (3) years or more of professional experience in/with:

• Conducting aquatics field research
• Leading aquatics field crew.
• Lentic and lotic habitats associated with stream systems, especially those in alluvial floodplains.
• Principles and procedures of biological research.
• Varied natural history experience including animals and plants, both locally native and non-native.
• Capturing fish and amphibians using varied nets, seines, minnow traps and electrofishing backpacks
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), iOS handhelds/apps (iPads), digital cameras, GPS, laser range finders, etc.
• Navigating landscapes using primitive (map/compass) and modern (GPS/nav apps) means
• Geography, culture, and history of the Chehalis Basin.

Two (2) years or more of professional experience in/with:

• Standard laboratory and field methods
• Fish, wildlife, and habitat ecology.
• Conducting field surveys for aquatic species; identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
• Collecting genetic tissue samples from captured amphibians and fishes.
• Operating common electronic and scientific equipment to collect data.
• Collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Quality control methods to evaluate data for completeness, reasonableness, reliability, accuracy, consistency and comparability with other data.
• Driving 4WD vehicles on logging roads
• CB radios
• Operating non-motorized watercraft in moderate river currents.

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 professional references with current contact information.

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: 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 RecruitmentTeam@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: 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 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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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