Sport Fishery & Stream Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 2026-04475

State of Washington•Franklin County – Pasco, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an opportunity to gain hands-on fisheries experience in dynamic field environments while contributing to the sustainability of Washington’s fisheries and recreational fishing opportunities. Envision yourself in the field engaging with the public while conducting sport fishery monitoring during the summer and fall salmon fisheries. You will also travel by foot and boat to assist with stream surveys throughout the Hanford Reach and Yakima River areas.

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 will 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

Bachelor’s degree or higher in fisheries or closely related field.
Boat operation certification.
Proficient in identification of freshwater and anadromous fish species of the Columbia River.
One (1) year of experience field sampling.
Experience entering data into Excel and/or Access databases.
Experience operating outboard boats and/or small river craft

Responsibilities

Conduct Sport Fishery Surveys: Collect detailed information from anglers participating in salmon/steelhead sport fisheries during on-site interviews at area boat launches and shoreline fishing access areas.
Determine catch effort through boat trailer index counts and interviews.
Identify harvest to species and collect biological information including number, length, gender, fin clips, coded wire tags (CWT) and collect scales for aging.
Conduct Stream Surveys: Collect post spawn salmon carcasses in-river, by boat and along shorelines within the WDFW District 4 waters of the Columbia and Yakima Rivers.
Follow sampling procedures and sport fishery methods with the addition of otolith collection (aging and origin) and spawn success (egg retention).
Tow, launch, and operate state boats ranging from 18’ to 20” in length and maintain records including operator, date, boat number, gallons, costs, and collect and file all fuel receipts.
Review all data collected in the field and upon returning to the office check for completeness and accuracy.
Collect, package, label, and process all biological samples at the end of each shift.