Skagit River Juvenile Salmon Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Bio 2 - Permanent - 2026-00854
State of Washington
FreshPosted Jan 29
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Posted: January 30, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Salmon and Steelhead Stream Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 2026-00901
State of Washington
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$3,581 - $4,771
per month
Type
Full Time
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Job Description
Summary
This short-term job involves traveling to streams and rivers to count and monitor salmon, steelhead, and lamprey fish populations, including tracking nests and collecting samples from dead fish, all while working outdoors in tough weather and terrain.
You'll use boats or walk along waterways to gather data that helps manage fish populations.
It's ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on nature work, can handle physical challenges like carrying gear and wading in water, and has a passion for wildlife conservation.
Key Requirements
- Ability to conduct field surveys on foot or using watercraft like rafts, drift boats, or jet sleds in all weather conditions
- Experience collecting and recording accurate biological data, including fish counts, redd enumerations, and samples like scales, fin marks, coded wire tags, otoliths, or DNA
- Physical fitness to navigate difficult terrain, wade in streams with moderate to fast currents, lift and carry equipment up to 40 pounds, and work independently or in teams
- Skills in driving on highways and off-road, using maps, GPS, and radios for navigation and access to private properties
- Proficiency in data entry and summarization using field cards and iPads, with attention to error-checking
- Knowledge of fisheries monitoring, including hatchery and wild salmon/steelhead populations and lamprey spawning surveys
- Flexibility to work 40 hours per week with variable schedules based on weather, stream flows, and spawning activity
Full Job Description
Title- Salmon and Steelhead Stream Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 3 months – March 1, 2026 – May 31, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish
Program
Duty Station- Lacey, Washington – Thurston County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Floating the Pilchuck River – Photo Credit: WDFW
This is an opportunity to gain hands-on fisheries experience through stream surveys in dynamic field environments.
Envision yourself working on foot or from watercraft, collecting data on hatchery and wild fish populations and contributing to lamprey spawning surveys that support critical fisheries management efforts.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Salmon and Steelhead Stream Surveyor will,
Enumerate and monitor hatchery and wild salmon and steelhead redds, as well as live and carcass counts, with “Index” reaches surveyed every 7 –14 days:
- New redds are numbered with flagging and data is accurately recorded onto field cards and iPads.
- Collected data is checked for errors and summarized.
- Surveys conducted by foot, raft, drift boat, and or jet sled during all weather conditions and difficult terrain.
- Biological samples (scales, fin marks, coded wire tag, otoliths, DNA) collected from fish carcasses.
- Surveys include enumerating Pacific and Brook lamprey redds and live/dead fish counts.
Drive to and from surveyed reaches under both highway and off-road conditions:
- Access private properties, navigate using maps and GPS, operate radios and perform basic vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Enumerate and monitor salmon and steelhead redds as well as live and carcass counts with “Supplemental” type surveys during peak spawning:
- Data is checked for accuracy and summarized.
- Visible redd and fish counts are recorded on field card.
- Surveys conducted by foot, raft, drift boat, and or jet sled.
- Biological samples (scales, fin marks, coded wire tag) collected from fish carcasses.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:
- Field work can be strenuous any may include walking in or along streams with slick boulders, navigating logjams, wading across riffles with moderate – fast current or maneuvering watercraft.
- Work is typically conducted independently or with other technicians or biologists across a wide variety of terrain and stream substrate conditions. Fieldwork is often performed in inclement weather within varying stream flow and visibility conditions.
- Repetitively lift and maneuver equipment upwards to or greater than 40 pounds.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: 40 hours per week. Workdays and hours are determined by weather conditions, stream flows and visibility, and level of spawning activity.
A flexible hourly and daily work schedule is therefore needed to perform the assigned tasks. Weekends and holidays may be included as potential workdays.
Travel Requirements: Daily travel from the duty station to work site.
Tools and Equipment: Operate a raft, drift boat, pontoon boats, in a wide range of stream flows, stream viewing conditions, and obstacles. General raingear, waders, wading shoes raincoat, WDFW hat.
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:
- Background in elementary biology
- Field experience identifying live and deceased salmonids and monitoring salmonid and lamprey spawning activity by species.
- Basic safe operation of rafts and boats in moving waters.
- Basic computer data entry skills.
- Experience clearly and concisely filling out field data forms.
- Experience interacting with the public on a professional basis
- Operating state vehicles safely.
- The ability to and/or experience swimming.
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 #2026-00901.
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