Columbia River Research & Monitoring Technician - Sci Tech 2 - Non-Perm - Two Openings - 2026-02779

Full Job Description

Title- Columbia River Research and Monitoring Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Number of Vacancies- Two (2)

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 6 Months – May 1, 2026 – October 30, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Columbia River Division
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Spring on the Kalama – Photo Credit: Andy Walgamott

Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities? Join our team and gain valuable hands-on experience.

As part of the Columbia River Division, you will conduct field-based monitoring and sampling for sturgeon, eulachon, and salmonids throughout Southwest Washington and the Columbia River Basin.

May–July, you will participate in sturgeon research and monitoring operations. For the second half of the season (July–October), you will conduct data collection related to salmon—these duties may vary based on the specific project you support within the team.

What to Expect-

This is a combined recruitment to fill two (2) positions with varying duties. Typical duties may include:

May – July: Sturgeon & Eulachon Research and Monitoring

• Deploy setlines to capture, tag, remove fin tissue clips, and record biological data from White Sturgeon caught during stock assessments conducted throughout the Columbia River.
• Conduct targeted capture of adult White Sturgeon using modified setlines for acoustic tag implantation.
• Work aboard commercial fishing vessels to tag and collect biological data from White and Green Sturgeon.
• Conduct plankton tows to capture Eulachon eggs and larvae on the Columbia River and tributaries.

July – October: Adult Salmonid Sampling and Surveying

• Collect data and samples from fish, including species, sex, fork lengths, weights, scales, DNA, coded wire tags (CWT), passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, and external marks/clips.
• Conduct salmonid recreational creel surveys on the mainstem Lower Columbia River and Southwest Washington tributaries.
• Interview individuals and groups of anglers to collect information related to hours fished, number of fish harvested or released, natural versus hatchery origin, and all other pertinent biological and tag information.
• Inspect Kalama River fish trap and weir infrastructure daily to ensure maximum efficiency and inform the appropriate project lead of status.
• Capture, handle, identify, enumerate, and tag and/or mark adult salmonids for broodstock, mark/recapture programs, and distribution monitoring.
• Work collaboratively with hatchery staff to sample salmonids for CWTs, PIT tags, DNA, scales, sex, and fork length using established methods and protocols.
• Conduct spawning ground surveys by foot and boat.

Working Conditions:

This is a combined recruitment to fill two (2) positions with varying working conditions. Typical working conditions may include:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is primarily performed outdoors under potentially inclement conditions.
• Duties are often conducted on wet, slippery surfaces. Walk on steep or rugged shorelines, riverbanks, along highways, and on boat docks to perform surveys.
• Spend long periods of time on boats. Must work in cooperation with other crew members in close quarters aboard fishing vessels. Lift up to 70 pounds without assistance for handling large, live fish.
• Spend long periods of time driving a truck. May include towing and launch research vessels over 20 feet in length.

Walk four (4) to six (6) miles per day over rough terrain without designated trails and under adverse weather conditions along streams and rivers.

Repetitively carry or move loads up to 70 pounds for short distances over rough terrain. Encounter very strong odors when sampling spawned-out salmon carcasses.

• Some work may be performed inside a shop or parking lot area to build new gear and repair equipment. Office work may consist of sitting for long hours verifying and entering data or utilizing a microscope.
• 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, 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule requires flexibility; may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.

Travel Requirements: Frequent travel to fieldwork locations. May–July, travel includes week-long overnight stays.

Tools and Equipment: Motor vehicles, motorized davits, coded wire tag (CWT) wands and detectors passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag injectors and detectors, acoustic telemetry transmitters and receivers, electronic data collection devices, and various sampling equipment.

Laboratory work may require the use of dissecting microscopes, lab tools, and personal protective equipment for handling samples preserved in alcohol or formalin.

Customer Interactions: Interact with members of the public, such as recreational and commercial anglers, state and federal representatives, external organization members, and landowners.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) 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 (1) 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 may substitute, year for year, for experience, provided course work includes at least six (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all of the following preferred qualifications.

This is a combined recruitment to fill two (2) positions with varying preferred qualifications. Typical preferred qualifications may include:

Ability to:

• Identify white and green sturgeon, eulachon, salmonids (including various life stages and redds), and common warm-water species of the Columbia River and its tributaries.

Experience with:

• Fish tagging, such as:
  • Sturgeon tagging.
  • Detecting coded wire tags (CWT).
  • Injecting and detecting passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags.
• Deploying and retrieving acoustic receiver arrays.
• Setline gear.
• Equipment used in Eulachon eggs and larvae sampling, including:
  • Standard-sized plankton nets and gear for sample collection.
  • Laboratory equipment to observe and enumerate samples.
• Conducting creel surveys, commercial sampling, and hatchery sampling/spawning.
• Performing the following sampling procedures:
  • Accurate length and weight measurements on live fish.
  • Hard-part sample collection for age analysis.
  • Genetic sample collection.
• Working aboard a fishing or research vessel.

Working Knowledge of:

• Natural habitats of fresh and saltwater commercial and sport fish species.
• Fish spawning habits.
• Commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.

Your application must 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.

Additional 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 danielle.gustafson@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: 2026-1234 – 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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-02779.

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