Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Perm - 2 Openings - 2026-01794

Full Job Description

Title- Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2 (ST2)

Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent

Number of Vacancies- Two (2)

Appointment Length- 9 months – April 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Stanwood, Washington – Snohomish County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

WDFW test fishing – Photo Credit: WDFW

Assist senior project leads on hydroacoustic monitoring efforts for the Skagit River, supporting critical work aimed at conserving wild fish populations and supporting fishery management.

Key responsibilities include maintaining in-river hydroacoustic systems, managing data storage, conducting daily data review, and assisting with a weekly test fishery.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles, the Hydroacoustic Monitoring Technicians will,

Assist with Hydroacoustic Monitoring Efforts to Estimate Adult Salmonid Abundance in the Skagit River Basin:

• Follow and recommend updates to established protocols for SONAR equipment deployment, operation, and maintenance, data entry, data review, and field safety.
• Maintain daily log of field activities.
• Manage regular transfer of data from field site to off-site locations for long-term storage.
• Organize and review raw SONAR imagery data.

Maintain Field Equipment and Supplies:

• Assist with deployment, maintenance, and service of all field equipment, including SONAR units, test fishing nets, trucks, boats and trailers, exposure gear, scanners/detectors, safety equipment, and other equipment.
• Independently troubleshoot issues with SONAR equipment and data recording.
• Maintain up-to-date inventory of field supplies.

Conduct Biological Sampling Associated with Hydroacoustic Monitoring:

• Assist with weekly test fishing efforts to support species composition analyses, including coordination with co-manager field staff on an as-needed basis.
• Record and perform quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of test fishery data.
• Collect biological samples from salmon and steelhead, including but not limited to length measurements, determination of sex and disposition, DNA and scale samples for age determination, and documentation of marks or tags for origin determination.
• Assist with tagging of adult salmonids collected in the test fishery.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work in all weather conditions, from dry and hot to extreme cold and snow.
• Position may include field work in rivers and streams walking up to 12 miles in rugged terrain near water.
• Hazards include strains, sprains, breaks, scratches, lacerations, infections, animal encounters and drowning.
• May conduct physically demanding field work, including the occasional lifting and operation of field equipment weighing up to 75 pounds, while walking over uneven ground and near the water.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Typically, Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm, 40 hours per week. Early start times, late end times, split shifts, overtime, overnight, weekend, and holiday hours may be required.

Travel Requirements:

Regular travel is required to field sites in Sedro-Woolley. There is the possibility to use agency vehicles as well as personal vehicles if authorized.

Tools and Equipment:

Agency provided vehicles (trucks, boats), exposure apparel (waders/boots, raincoat, sunglasses, hat, gloves), laptop, sampling implements and equipment.

Customer Interactions:

Communication with private landowners and the public.

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 the 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 the following:

Experience:

• Background in biology and experience in the natural resources field.
• Following equipment operation, data collection, and data entry protocols to collect and record high-quality biological data.
• Maintaining focus and data quality while performing repetitive computer-based tasks.
• Deploying and maintaining hydroacoustic monitoring gear, such as split-beam or multi-beam SONAR systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word or Excel.
• Trailering and operating small motorboats (under 25 feet).
• Identifying, handling, and biologically sampling fish species, preferably adult salmonids.

Competencies:

• Adherence to safety protocols and using judgement in the field and near water to maintain a safe working environment.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, teamwork, professionalism, and working well with a wide variety of people.
• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and work independently with little oversight.

Certification:

• Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) certification.

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.

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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-01794.

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