WCC Crew Supervisor 1 - North Puget Sound
State of Washington
StalePosted Jun 30
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Posted: March 5, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Puget Sound Shellfish Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - 2026-01921
State of Washington
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$3,581 - $4,771
per month
Type
Seasonal
More Maintenance & Trades jobs →Closes
March 16, 2026
Job Description
Summary
This seasonal job involves working outdoors in Washington's Puget Sound to survey shellfish populations, interview recreational fishers about their catches, and help manage resources like clams, oysters, crabs, and squid.
You'll spend time on beaches collecting data, spreading seeds for enhancement projects, and entering information into computers during the six-month season from April to September.
It's a great fit for someone who enjoys hands-on environmental work, interacting with the public, and has a passion for marine biology or fisheries.
Key Requirements
- Experience conducting field surveys, including interviewing participants and collecting biological samples
- Knowledge of shellfish species identification, measurement, and handling (e.g., bivalves, crustaceans, squid)
- Proficiency in data entry, review, and management using tools like Microsoft Excel, Access, and ArcGIS
- Ability to work in outdoor intertidal environments, including digging in sediment and performing physical tasks
- Strong communication skills for public outreach, education, and professional interactions with fishers
- Attention to detail for accurate recording of harvest data, effort sampling, and protocol adherence
- Willingness to work a full-time seasonal schedule (April 1 – September 30) in Port Townsend, WA
Full Job Description
Title- Puget Sound Shellfish Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 6 Months
–
April 1 – September 30
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Puget Sound Shellfish Program
Duty Station- Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Olympia Oyster Bed – Photo Credit: WDFW
Play a key role in the collection of shellfish harvest and population data critical to the management of Puget Sound’s shellfish resources.
As part of the Puget Sound Shellfish Program, participate in intertidal bivalve population surveys, crustacean test fisheries, and bivalve shellfish enhancement projects across the Puget Sound.
Support shellfish management by conducting recreational intertidal and crustacean shellfish and squid creel surveys with a focus on intertidal fisheries.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Puget Sound Shellfish Technician will,
Conduct intertidal and crustacean harvest assessment surveys, including performing creel and effort surveys for harvest data collected to support and advise recreational intertidal bivalve, squid, crab, shrimp, and seaweed management:
- Interview recreational fishery participants at assigned access points.
- Properly implement interview procedures and sampling protocols, and accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms.
- Collect data designed to evaluate recreational harvest, including identifying species, counting, measuring, and weighing harvested bivalves, shrimp, crab, squid, and seaweed.
- Professional interaction with the public, including conducting outreach and education through fisher interviews.
- Conduct harvester effort sampling to quantify daily shellfish harvester intensity through ingress/egress surveys.
- Liaison to supervisor on fishery violations observed in the field.
Participate in intertidal bivalve population surveys, crustacean test fisheries, and bivalve shellfish enhancement projects:
- Locate sample points established by a lead surveyor and employ pre-determined sampling strategy, including digging and sorting through beach sediment to find target bivalve shellfish and counting and measuring oysters using calipers.
- Assist with pre- and post- survey organization and completion, including processing samples and performing routine maintenance on survey equipment.
- Spread clam seed and oyster cultch on public beaches to enhance recreational shellfish opportunity and support native oyster restoration.
Office and lab work, data entry, data review, and summary, including upload and maintenance of complete datasets:
- Conduct data entry and error checks on bivalve harvester datasets related to creel and effort surveys in ArcGIS, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Excel.
- In a lab setting, identify intertidal bivalve species and measure length and weight using an electronic caliper and scale interfaced with WDFW-developed software for recording and organizing data records.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Work occurs in both an office environment and in the field, including in inclement weather.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Fieldwork is conducted at public beaches, dockside, at access sites, and aboard various vessels in marine waters, including a 38-foot WDFW research vessel and smaller boats (such as small outboard motorboats, inflatable rafts, and 24-to-34-foot agency vessels).
Boat-board work is conducted in all waters of Puget Sound and the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Perform strenuous land-based field activities.
Occasionally carry heavy loads such as baskets of clams and commercial crab pots (weighing up to 50 pounds) over rough terrain, slippery rocks, mud, and steep banks.
Occasionally lift field equipment such as shovels and coolers (weighing up to 10 pounds) overhead and manipulate equipment.
Dig holes in rough terrain and perform extended stoop labor (up to 4 hours per day).
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. Typically, work 8-10 hours per day between 5:00 AM and 9:00 PM. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.
Travel Requirements: Occasional overnight travel required seasonally.
Tools and Equipment: Laptop computer, GPS units, iPads, cellphone, marine radios, motor vehicles, outboard boats and engines, navigation systems, and data collection equipment.
Customer Interactions: Interact with Tribes, commercial harvesters or fishers, fish and shellfish buyers, shellfish processors, and recreational anglers and shellfishers. May include occasional interactions with individuals experiencing anger, frustration, or distress.
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 the following:
Experience:
- Conducting sometimes strenuous biological field work and data collection in challenging conditions.
- Collecting, entering, proofing, and managing natural resource data.
- Conducting harvester (creel) surveys and sampling fisheries in the Puget Sound or a similar area.
- Crustacean, molluscan, and finfish species identification and handling.
- Using a GPS to collect waypoints, electronic scales, and calipers for biological data collection.
- Using electronic data collection tools and applications.
- Interacting with members of the public.
- Interacting with stakeholders in a natural resource management setting.
- With Microsoft Office applications (such as Word, Excel, Teams, and Access).
Knowledge of:
- Locally occurring intertidal bivalve species and their identification.
- The geography of the Puget Sound, including the Hood Canal region.
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 #2026-01921.
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