Weir/Trap Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 2026-00425

Full Job Description

Title- Weir/Trap Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 5 months – January 16, 2026 – June 15, 2026

For the 2026 season, this position is anticipated to begin February 17, 2026.
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Science Hatchery Wild-Interactions
Duty Station- Dayton, Washington – Columbia County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Five foot rotary screw trap– Photo Credit: Justin Miller-Nelson

If you’re passionate about hands-on fieldwork and protecting Washington’s iconic fish populations, this role offers a meaningful way to make an impact.

Supporting the Touchet River Steelhead Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) Project, Fall Chinook Program, and the Tucannon River Endemic Steelhead Evaluation Project, this position plays a key role in collecting, analyzing, and reporting data for multiple Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed steelhead and fall Chinook populations—directly contributing to WDFW’s long-term conservation and monitoring efforts.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Weir/Trap Technician will,

Adult and juvenile salmonid weir/trap construction, installation, daily maintenance, and data collection:

• Conduct daily adult and juvenile trap checks.
• Assist with trap repair, construction, instream installation, and weir/trap removal.
• Collect, record, and ensure accurate physical and biological data (species, size, scale samples), as well as field observations, in a timely manner to support up-to-date field summaries.
• Make trap operation decisions based on observed environmental conditions.

Assist with the Fall Chinook Program at the Snake River Lab:

• Participate in weekly spawning activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery during fall Chinook spawning.
• Conduct spawning ground and carcass surveys for fall Chinook in the Lower Tucannon River.
• Assist with fish identification and biological data collection at the Lower Granite Dam fish trap.
• Perform QA/QC, reconciliation, and summarization of collected data.
• Assist with picking eggs; coded-wire tag (CWT) retrieval and reading; and scale and otolith sampling.

Assist with other duties as required:

• Conduct spawning ground surveys for spring Chinook or summer steelhead.
• Perform hook-and-line sampling of residual hatchery steelhead.
• Enter data across multiple platforms and perform data QA/QC.
• Format, upload, and download Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag data to regional databases.
• Assist with mass PIT tagging activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery, as needed.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Combination of office and field duties.
• Fieldwork conducted at in-stream adult traps and weirs, juvenile rotating screw traps, and stream surveys (typically 3-4 miles in length).
• Hazards include slippery conditions at traps and hatcheries, cold water, working in and near stream, and exposure to extreme weather conditions throughout the field season.
• Potential exposure to insects, snakes, and other wildlife.
• Handling and sampling salmon carcasses in varying stages of decomposition with strong odors.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Typically day shift, 8-10 hours per day, including weekends. Work conducted during the peak field seasons may include non-standard work hours (weekends, evenings/nights and/or holidays) and the possibility of weeks in excess of 40 hours.

Travel Requirements:

No overnight travel is expected. Daily travel is expected for juvenile and adult traps, completing field surveys, assisting in spawning activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery, Tucannon River, or other locations within southeast Washington. Daily travel to Lower Granite Dam may be required.

Tools and Equipment:

Handheld power tools, chain saws, 4-wheel-drive (4WD) trucks, smolt traps, weirs, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag transceivers, basic hand tools, knives, coded-wire tag (CWT) wand, scales, microscope, and handheld GPS units.

Customer Interactions:

Possibility of interactions with private landowner during routine field trap checks, as well as contact required to complete spawning ground surveys.

Answering questions from visitors and general public’s curiosity during field activities, fielding calls from the public and directing them to appropriate contacts.

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 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.
• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for experience.

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:

• Experience conducting spawning ground surveys.
• Experience identifying juvenile and adult salmonids and other fish species in southeast Washington and the Lower Snake River basin.
• Experience working with multiple types of fish weirs and rotary screw traps.
• Experience using P4 and Microsoft Access for data recording and management.
• Experience with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tagging of adult and juvenile steelhead and other salmonids.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated proficiency in the safe handling and anesthetization of adult and juvenile life forms of Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonids.
• Basic biological understanding of salmonid species in the Pacific Northwest.
• Basic construction abilities.
• Proficiency in computer skills related to data entry, data manipulation, word processing, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills in field settings.

Certifications/Training:

• Swiftwater Safety training.
• CPR/AED/First Aid training.

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.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) 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 #2026-00425.

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