Sport Fishery & Stream Survey Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Perm -5 Openings-2026-06112
Title- Sport Fishery & Stream Survey Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Five (5)
Appointment Length- 3.5 months – September 1, 2026 – December 15, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin County
Closing Date- 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
If you’re interested in being considered for a similar position in the Pasco area, please submit a separate application for that recruitment. To be considered, applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for each position. Fall Chinook Monitoring & Evaluation - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Perm - 6 Openings - 2026-06109.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
This is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in fisheries fieldwork while working in dynamic outdoor environments.
In this role, you will interact directly with the public by conducting on-site interviews with anglers participating in salmon and steelhead sport fisheries at boat launches and shoreline fishing access areas.
You will also participate in in-river and shoreline surveys to recover post-spawn salmon carcasses throughout the Columbia and Yakima rivers.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Sport Fishery Monitoring Technician will,
Field Data Collection:
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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 fishing effort through boat trailer index counts and interviews.
- Identify harvest to species and collect biological information from the harvest including number, length, gender, fin clips, coded wire tags (CWT), and collect scales for aging.
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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 sport fishery protocols with the addition of otolith collection (aging and origin) and spawn success (egg retention). Females will be dissected to determine spawn success. All carcasses will be cut in half post sampling to avoid duplicate sampling.
Travel and Boat Operation:
- Safe operation of all State vehicles (including boats) to prevent damage to vehicles, injury to the public or public property, and staff.
- 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.
Data Review and Entry:
- Review data collected in the field and upon returning to the office for completeness and accuracy.
- Collect, package, label, and process all biological samples at the end of each shift.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:
- Work is conducted primarily in the field and will require travel to multiple public access sites and remote locations including work on rivers in the Hanford Reach area of the Columbia River and the lower 30 miles of the Yakima River.
- Work alone at public fishing areas for up to 10 hours per day to conduct creel sampling. Many locations are primitive without facilities or quick availability to medical facilities. Most of the work will be near the Hanford Department of Energy site.
- Field work occurs in inclement weather conditions, with some hiking over rough and slippery terrain and potential encounters with wildlife including rattlesnakes, or exposure to illegal activities.
- May work with chemicals for biological sampling (ethanol) and vehicle operations (gasoline and oil).
- Responsible for use and care of vehicles, boats, equipment, PIT tag readers, and CWT wands.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: 24/7 non scheduled and may occasionally require work over 40 hours per week. Scheduled days and hours of work will vary and will require work on all weekends and potentially on holidays.
Travel Requirements: Routinely travel to public and primitive access sites along the Columbia and lower Yakima Rivers. State vehicle will be provided. Stream surveys will require travel and routinely work from boats in the Columbia River.
Tools and Equipment: Vehicle, boats, knife, sampling and data recording supplies, CWT wand, life jacket, rain gear, gloves, waders, mask.
Customer Interactions: Daily interactions with anglers and the public during creel surveys.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: 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.
Option 2: 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.
Please Note: 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.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
- Undergraduate or graduate degree in fisheries or a closely related field.
- One (1) year or more experience field sampling.
- Proficient in identifying freshwater and anadromous fish species of the Columbia River.
- Experience with entering data using Microsoft Excel and/or Access databases.
- Boat operation certification
- Experience operating outboard-powered boats and/or small watercraft on rivers.
Your application must include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- At least three professional references with current contact information.
Supplemental Information
In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
Important Note:
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
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.
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:
- Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
- Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
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.
Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
Technical Difficulties: 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.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-06112.
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