Salmonid Field Monitoring Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Permanent - 2026-00696

Full Job Description

Title- Salmonid Field Monitoring Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Science Division
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Wild steelhead – Photo Credit: Chase Gunnell

Envision yourself conducting juvenile salmonid trapping, adult salmonid spawning ground surveys, and adult summer steelhead snorkel surveys in Lower Columbia River (LCR) tributaries.

This role is essential in monitoring the status of Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmon and steelhead populations in the LCR, focusing on their abundance, spatial distribution, diversity, and productivity.

By collecting precise data, you will contribute to developing accurate estimates of abundance and other Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) parameters.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Salmonid Field Monitoring Technician will,

Conduct Juvenile VSP Monitoring in Tributaries of the LCR Following Established Protocols:

• Install, operate, maintain, and remove juvenile out-migrant traps (rotary screw trap and fence weirs) on the tributaries of the LCR.
• Maintain trap integrity during high-flow and heavy debris events. Make repairs to trap if damage occurs due to weather, flows, debris, or vandalism.
• Conduct daily trap checks and use professional judgment to ensure that the timing and frequency of daily trap checks are consistent with river conditions and out-migrant abundance.
• Count all target and non-target fish captured to species, life stage, and origin.
• Collect biological data from juvenile salmonids including length, scales, and tissue samples.
• Conduct mark-recapture experiments to calculate trap efficiency for juvenile salmonid population estimates.
• Monitor fish health during sampling and ensure fish are released in the best condition possible.
• Conduct snorkel surveys for steelhead introgression studies and deploy nets for capture of fish for sampling.
• Enter field data accurately using iPads and ToughPads via established forms.
• Clearly record all data on scale cards, DNA blotter paper, and datasheets as needed.
• Conduct daily data quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) exercises within iPad and ToughPads to ensure data accuracy.
• Ensure supplies and equipment associated with the project are available, well maintained, and organized.

Conduct Adult VSP Monitoring in Tributaries of the LCR Following Established Protocols:

• Conduct salmonid spawning ground surveys on the LCR tributaries using established protocols to collect data needed to measure VSP parameters and generate accurate and precise adult salmonid abundance estimates.
• Conduct stream surveys to collect spawning ground data.
• Identify and count adult salmonids (live and deceased) and redds to species.
• Collect biological data from live and deceased salmonids, including length, gender, marks/tags, scales, otoliths, and tissue samples.
• Conduct snorkel surveys for summer steelhead resights and deploy nets for capture of fish for sampling.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Primarily working outdoors (80%) in rural settings, sometimes in extreme temperatures (above 100°F or below 30°F) and winds over 25 mph.
• Work is performed on wet, slippery surfaces.
• Walk up to six (6) miles per day over rough terrain and in challenging conditions.
• Repetitively lift, with or without assistance, large fish (live) weighing up to 30 pounds and move loads up to 70 pounds over short distances.
• Frequent bending, kneeling, crawling, climbing, and lifting; ability to maintain balance on a moving deck.
• Climb in and out of boats and operate oar-powered vessels for up to 15 miles per day.
• Snorkel in fast-flowing/swift water conditions under various weather conditions, covering up to six (6) miles per day.
• Exposure to strong odors from decaying fish carcasses.
• Use various chemicals, including Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS-222), Bismarck Brown Y, and Strontium chloride.
• Tasks require dexterity and acute vision.
• 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. Weekends, holidays, and some overtime may be required. Work hours are varied due to river conditions, fish abundance, and habitat availability.

Travel Requirements:

Daily travel from the office to the field locations. Some local and regional travel is necessary to attend training and to pick up sampling gear. Overnight travel is extremely rare.

Tools and Equipment:

Hand tools (screwdrivers, hammers, wrenches) and power tools (drills, grinders, saws, chain saws), large buckets of water, outboard motors, generators, pumps, knives, scalpels, scissors, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag injectors, global positioning units, and coded wire tag (CWT) injectors, CWT wands and PIT tag wands.

Customer Interactions:

Rare contact with landowners, which may include interacting with upset individuals.

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.

Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of school science AND two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Option 3: Equivalent education/experience.

Please Note:

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:

• Operating rotary screw traps.
• Conducting salmonid spawning ground surveys.
• Conducting mark-recapture studies.
• Operating small boats with outboard motors.
• Identifying salmonids to species at all life stages.
• Handling live salmonids and administering anesthetics to ensure fish health.
• Marking and tagging salmonids, including applying passive integrated transponder (PIT) and Floy tags.
• Operating coded wire tag (CWT), PIT tag wands, and handheld electronics (e.g., iPads/ToughPads, GPSs, data logger devices).
• Operating hand tools, power tools, and small engine machinery (generators).
• Collecting accurate and legible field data.
• Using relational databases (e.g. Microsoft Access) to perform data entry and data quality control/assurance.
• Analyzing stream conditions and cognizing problem situations to maintain safety and minimize adverse impacts to fish populations and coworkers.
• Following written field protocols.

Include the items below with your application materials:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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 #2026-00696.

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