Sport Fishery Monitoring Field Lead - Scientific Technician 3 - Permanent - *00314-25

State of Washington • Other, WA

357d

About The Position

As a senior level technician, envision yourself providing field leadership in conducting freshwater salmon and steelhead creel surveys across the Samish, Skagit, and Nooksack River Basins in North Puget Sound. In this role, you will also supervise and lead lower-level scientific technicians, ensuring adherence to standardized survey methodologies and recommending improvements to monitoring practices. Your efforts will directly contribute to sampling and field studies that collect biological data in support of effective fisheries management.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science AND four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.
• OR 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.
• OR Equivalent education/experience.
• Must have, or be able to attain WA State boater card, and pass approved motorboat operator certification course.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with monitoring sport fisheries.
• Serving as a crew lead or supervisor.
• Working with recreational anglers and guides.
• Managing data using Excel, Access, or other database management platforms.
• Managing and visualizing data using R Studio and RStan.
• Operating outboard or inboard jet boats.
• Knowledge of salmonid species present in Puget Sound watersheds, their spawning behavior and general life histories and fishery management methods.
• Fishing areas on the Nooksack, Samish, and Skagit Rivers.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Sport Fishery Monitoring and Implement Creel Survey Projects
• Participate in creel surveys by interviewing and counting anglers and collecting biological samples.
• Conduct creel interviews, traveling by foot to contact bank anglers at river access points and monitoring boat ramps for groups of returning boat anglers.
• Perform surveys to assess angling effort by vehicle, jet boat, and helicopter.
• Provide feedback about sampling protocols, and accurately record data into iPad application and on scale card paper form.
• Sample fish with electronic mark detection devices.
• Classify, sort, and count marked (adipose fin-clipped) and unmarked salmon by coded wire tag (CWT) status.
• Access stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling by removing snouts from Chinook and coho salmon with CWTs.
• Sample salmon catch for stock composition (DNA), age (scales), length, and origin (hatchery or natural).
• Conduct creel interviews to gather information from anglers about their fishing activity and catch.
• Identify salmonids by species and sex, noting hatchery or research marks.
• Provide sport fishing information to the public.
• Prepare data summaries, data tables, charts, and figures.
• Assist higher level biologists with data quality assurance / quality control.
• Offer technical instruction and guidance to field staff, clarifying protocols and resolving challenges encountered during fieldwork.
• Adjust schedules and assign tasks daily, weekly, or monthly based on project needs, environmental factors, and emergent issues.
• Develop and communicate work plans to field staff, ensuring clarity on objectives and timelines.
• Train Scientific Technicians on use of electronic data capture devices, and creel tasks including data collecting, entry and data quality control procedures.
• Conduct routine data audits to verify accuracy, catalog errors, and recommend corrections.
• Participate in the hiring process of new staff.
• Support the onboarding process for new hires by delivering initial training and mentoring.

Benefits

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
• Union representation by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals
• Potential for flexible scheduling
• Eligibility for various employee programs and benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Economic Programs
• Education Level: High school or GED