Aquatic Invasive Species Technician - Scientific Technician 3 - Permanent - Two Openings -2026-07379

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

17h•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Unit, a dedicated team working to protect Washington’s waters with prevention and management of AIS. As a senior level technician, you will lead survey efforts at WDFW owned and operated hatchery facilities while traveling throughout Washington to operate watercraft and conduct surveys on high-risk water bodies.

Requirements

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.
Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
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 or environmental science classes.
Valid Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Boat operation knowledge and experience.
Certifications: WDFW motorboat operator’s certification or equivalent.
CPR/First Aid/AED Watercraft Inspection Training (WIT) Level I/II.
Experience with: Using Microsoft Windows, smart phones, and laptops.
Safely operating vehicles and motorized watercraft at least 15 feet in length in freshwater or marine areas.
Towing trailers/boats.
Two (2) way satellite messengers such as Garmin inReach, SpotX, etc.

Responsibilities

Conduct Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Surveys and Early Detection Invasive Mussel Monitoring: Survey WDFW-owned and operated hatcheries and high-risk water bodies using complex protocols and sample methods such as: Plankton tows to collect horizontal and vertical veliger samples, Visual shoreline surveys, Water quality measurements using probes and calcium collection techniques, Petite Ponar, kicknets, and surface scrapes to collect substrate samples, Environmental DNA (eDNA) collection using a filter pump system.
Rapid Response to AIS: Operate and tow watercraft in a safe and proper manner. Rapidly respond to contain, control, and eradicate new detections of AIS under general direction of a senior level biologist.
Equipment Maintenance: Maintain vehicle, watercraft, trailer, electronics, environmental DNA backpack water filtration system and mobile water quality laboratory equipment in a safe and working order.