Salmon Stock Assessment Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 2026-04959
About The Position
Join WDFW’s Nooksack Stock Assessment team and play a key role in monitoring salmon populations throughout the Nooksack River and North Puget Sound tributaries. In this position, you'll conduct field surveys, collect and manage biological data, and contribute to the information used to guide fishery management decisions, estimate salmon returns, develop pre-season forecasts, and support regional salmon recovery efforts. Working both independently and alongside a dedicated team of biologists, you'll help ensure healthy and sustainable salmon populations for future generations.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Valid driver’s license.
Nice To Haves
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a related field.
- Two (2) years of related work experience in Fisheries Biology.
- Professional or volunteer experience collecting biological data from adult salmonids, including Coded Wire Tag (CWT) snouts, scales, otoliths, DNA samples, and fork lengths.
- Professional or volunteer experience conducting salmonid spawning ground surveys.
- Experience entering biological field data using Microsoft Excel.
- Knowledge of the Nooksack River watershed and familiarity with the rivers, streams, and landscapes of Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Responsibilities
- Conduct spawning ground surveys for Chinook, pink, coho, and chum salmon within the Nooksack River and independent drainages throughout Whatcom County.
- Navigate rivers using single-person pontoons in waters up to Class III whitewater.
- Accurately identify, count, and record observations of freshwater stage adult salmonids, salmonid redds, and other freshwater fish species.
- Collect biological data and samples from salmonids.
- Monitor (creel) sport fisheries and sample catch.
- Review field data for accuracy, completeness, organization, and legibility.
- Prepare, organize, and inventory biological samples, including DNA samples, scale cards, otoliths, and snouts.
- Enter field data into Microsoft Excel, Access, and other database systems.
- Inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot field equipment, notifying supervisors of operational issues as needed.
- Maintain equipment used in data collection, including rafts and sampling gear.
- Keep vehicles and office clean and organized.
- Monitor vehicle fluid levels and condition between scheduled maintenance and report any concerns properly.
Benefits
- The salary listed above does not include the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.
- In addition to pay and other special employee programs , there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
