Summary

This job involves working outdoors in Washington's lakes, rivers, and other waters to survey fish populations, collect data on their health and numbers, and help manage fishing resources for sustainability.

You'll assist with hands-on tasks like catching fish, interviewing anglers, and maintaining equipment during a busy season from spring to fall.

It's a great fit for someone who enjoys nature, has basic science skills, and wants practical experience in fisheries without needing advanced degrees.

Key Requirements

Experience or education in fisheries biology, ecology, or a related natural resources field
Ability to perform physical fieldwork in varied outdoor environments, including boating and hiking
Skills in data collection, entry, and basic analysis for fish populations and environmental conditions
Knowledge of fish sampling techniques such as electrofishing, netting, and tagging
Comfort with equipment maintenance for boats, vehicles, and scientific tools
Willingness to work a seasonal schedule (April to October) in potentially hazardous conditions like weather or water exposure
Team-oriented mindset for supporting fishery management projects and surveys

Full Job Description

Title- Inland Fishery Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time - Career Seasonal

Season Length- 6.5 months – April 15 – October 31
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Cutthroat Trout – Photo Credit: Levi Swann

This is an opportunity to gain hands on fisheries experience in dynamic field environments while contributing to the sustainability of Washington’s fisheries and recreational fishing opportunities.

In this role, you will support the management of resident, warmwater, and anadromous fish populations through field surveys and data collection.

Envision yourself assisting with fishery surveys in regional waters including lowland lakes, high lakes, warmwater fisheries, and tributaries, while also monitoring angler catch through creel surveys.

What to Expect-

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

Assist with fishery surveys and natural resource assessments throughout regional waters:

Assist with field sampling activities using assigned sampling methods to capture resident fishes, warmwater species, and occasionally anadromous salmonids in Region 5 lakes, rivers, sloughs, and other water bodies.
Participate in boat electrofishing surveys and collect length/weight data from captured fish.
Deploy a variety of fish sampling gear and research tools (gill nets, fyke nets, setlines, temperature loggers) used to determine abundance and distribution.
Collect biological and environmental data such as fish species, sex, length, weight, marks, origin, water temp, D.O., conductivity, pH, aquatic plant coverage, and bathymetry for Region 5 waters.
Perform creel surveys and angler interviews to collect effort, catch, and harvest data in various regional fisheries.
Collect scale, otolith, and stomach content samples as well as tissue samples for genetic analysis, and tags fish as needed to meet project objectives. Prepare scale and otolith samples for age determination and process fish diet samples.
Perform data entry, as well as quality assurance/control in appropriate databases or locations as determined by project biologists.

Assist with implementation of fish management actions that contribute to agency-recognized programs and priorities:

Support WDFW’s statewide lowland lake trout derby by distributing tagged fish in regional lakes.
Perform tiger muskie scatter planting in Merwin and Mayfield Reservoirs.
Backpack and release juvenile trout in designated high lakes to support backcountry opportunities.
Participate in lake habitat management projects, sometimes including the use of aquatic herbicides.

Equipment maintenance:

Perform maintenance on agency boats, vehicles, and scientific gear.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards:

Work is primarily performed in the field across the six (6) counties of Region 5, with some office and laboratory duties at Region 5 headquarters.
Field work may occur during inclement weather, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, and may require driving in icy or snowy road conditions.
May require walking or hiking over rough and slippery terrain in varying environmental conditions for long hours (up to 10 miles and/or 10+ hours per day).
Navigate on foot in wilderness areas for extended periods without cellular service.
High lake planting requires travel in remote, wilderness areas and carrying loads weighing up to 35 pounds.
This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule requires flexibility as work hours may be assigned at any time within a 24-hour period. Shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.

Travel Requirements:

Frequent single-day trips, possibly requiring several hours of driving, to access fieldwork sites throughout the region.
Occasionally, trips will require overnight stays, which may include primitive camping in remote areas.
Overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to one (1) week at a time, may occur for training or assisting with fieldwork.

Tools and Equipment:

Standard field/office equipment including personal computer and cellphone, Garmin inReach, hand and power tools, agency vehicles (including 4-wheel drive trucks), boats (including 18’ Smith-Root electrofishing boat).
Fisheries sampling gear including setlines, fyke nets, gillnets, hoop nets, hook-and-line.

Data collection tools including weighing scales, measurement devices, gastric lavage pumps, scale processing tools, microscopes, GPS, forceps, scissors, PIT and Floy tagging equipment, PIT and CWT readers, multiparameter water quality meters, creel sampling gear (paperwork, iPad, measuring tape, binoculars, personal flotation devices, etc.).

Operates fork and/or scissor lifts to warehouse project equipment.

Customer Interactions: Professional verbal interactions with WDFW customers (anglers, stakeholders and the public) during creel surveys and supervisor-assigned outreach events.

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 will 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 one or more of the following:

Completion of a two (2) – four (4) year degree in fisheries, fisheries technology, wildlife, or natural resource science and/or management, or a closely related field.

One (1) year or more of experience with:

Sampling resident fish species and using associated gear such as electrofishing, gillnets, fyke nets and/or angling.
Identification of warmwater species.
Operating 4-wheel drive vehicles in remote, off-road settings and navigating on foot in wilderness areas for extended periods without cellular service.
Basic carpentry and/or mechanical skills with boats, trailers, electrical systems, and small engines.
Effectively using personal computers and Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Access.
Scientific data collection and management.
Floy and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags.

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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-09172.

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Inland Fishery Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - 2026-01972

Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

Additional Information

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