WDFW staff comprise a talented and passionate group of people dedicated to protecting Washington’s Fish & Wildlife Resources.

Become part of a dynamic team that is invested in making a difference in the conservation of Washington State’s salmon, marine fish, and shellfish species.

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you then apply today and join the WDFW Team!

Oyster Survey – Photo Credit: Jodi Toft

With that in mind,

The optimal candidates are respectful team players who are motivated, hard-working, and dependable.

This is an opportunity to gain valuable conservation experience while working in the great outdoors!

We are seeking candidates who will support the WDFW mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities through habitat protection and enhancement activities.

Electronic Data Collection – Photo Credit: Danny Warren

Our Fisheries Technicians,

• Sample predominantly recreational fisheries for salmon, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and other marine fish.
• Observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.
• Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand detectors).
• Classify, sort, and enumerate marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.
• Retrieve CWTs from the snouts of Chinook and Coho salmon to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Sample recreational and or commercial salmon catch for biological data including DNA, age (scales), and sex ratios.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is primarily conducted in the field.
  • May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, may transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, 8 to 10 hours per day between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
  • 24/7 non-scheduled, 40 hours per week.
  • Weekend and evening work are required.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel within the Puget Sound area - seldom overnight travel.
  • May be required to use personal vehicle for work when an agency owned vehicle is unavailable.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • iPad, cell phone, electronic sampling equipment (CWT detector), weighing scale, calculator, knives, forceps, head lamp, measuring board, tally counter, tide book, canopy for shade, portable table, totes/bins, paper forms, labels, scale cards, pencils, pens, clipboard, and scissors.
  • This position is provided a personal flotation device (PFD), WDFW apparel, gloves, rain gear, and copies of current recreational and commercial sampling manuals.
• Customer Interactions:

• Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial harvester or fishers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers.
• Interacts with the public daily for fisheries data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities.
• Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public.
• Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated.
• Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the general public.
• Liaison with regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

OR

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license.
• CPR/First Aid (Can be obtained within six months of hire)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience conducting creel and sampling fisheries in Puget Sound or a similar area.
• Knowledge of salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species.
• Familiar with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
• Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing methods and gear. Experience working with members of the public.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials - your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor before you will be allowed to work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume.
• Three professional references.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

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.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

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.

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