Shellfish Technician – Scientific Technician II

Working Title- Shellfish Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- *Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County

Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within the State of Washington and must be available to report to the duty station located in Port Townsend, Washington as needed.  The selected candidate may be able to telework/work remotely up to 2 days per week at the discretion of the supervisor.

Are you passionate about becoming part of a dynamic team that is invested in making a difference in the stewardship of Washington State’s marine species?

Embrace this role to conduct field surveys and sample and collect biological and fisheries data for intertidal bivalve, crustacean, forage fish, and echinoderm management throughout Puget Sound.

In this dynamic role, you will perform recreational fishery monitoring from small planes, via beach and dockside creel surveys, intertidal bivalve population surveys, boat or land-based buoy and boat counts, and low tide harvester counts.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Conduct harvest effort and catch surveys for recreational shellfish fisheries throughout Puget Sound.

• Conduct recreational creel and effort surveys to advise intertidal bivalve, squid, and crustacean harvest management throughout Puget Sound.
• Count harvesters on the beach, buoys, or participating fishing vessels; counts occur from the air via small planes, aboard vessels, and at beach and pier access sites.
• Examine recreational catch, identify bivalve and crustacean species, count, measure, and weigh species harvested, and record data.

Participate in intertidal bivalve population surveys and crustacean test fisheries and research studies for the purpose of collecting biological and fishery-related data.

• Serve as key member of intertidal survey team at publicly owned beaches in Puget Sound.
• Help dig, count, and process samples for estimating oyster and clam populations.
• Collect samples at predetermined points within survey area and record data for each sample on data cards or tablets.
• When appropriate, retain samples from specific samples for later laboratory assessment.
• With oversight by supervisory biologist, help conduct crustacean test fisheries in Puget Sound.
• Perform dockside sampling of fishers engaged in commercial crustacean and echinoderm fisheries.

Conduct biological studies of forage fish, sampling for abundance and distribution of herring spawn using established protocols.

• Conduct forage fish surveys at index stations throughout Puget Sound as a lead surveyor to quantify spawn deposition, extent, and abundance.
• Collect field data with electronic tools (such as iForms on iPads) including marine algae species composition and distribution, substrate type, GPS coordinates, water depth, water temperature and salinity, and other data.
• While operating an outboard powered inflatable boat, deploy a submersible rake for collecting and recording herring egg samples and marine algae species.

Data entry, organization, and QA/QC related to recreational fisheries management.

• Conduct data entry and QA/QC on bivalve harvester databases in ArcGIS online, MS Access and MS Excel, iForms and R.
• Conduct proofing of aerial and ground-based harvester counts in ArcGIS online.
• Provide updates of biotoxin and tribal fishery announcements to the flight schedule in Access.
• Assist in cataloguing and organizing archives including harvester counts, maps and aerial photographs and videos.
• Assist with data entry and QA/QC for other shellfish unit projects, including for recreational crustacean fisheries, as needed.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work occurs both in the field and in an office environment, approximately 70% in the field. Involves lifting and carrying up to 60 lbs on a periodic and infrequent basis, including over rough terrain such as slippery rocks, sticky mud, and steep banks, and to sit for extended periods of time over an 8-hour workday. Field work is conducted traversing public beaches, from aboard fixed wing aircraft for several hours, and aboard various vessels in marine waters —including the 38-foot research vessel and smaller boats (small outboard motorboats, and 24’ to 34’ agency vessels). Boat-board work is conducted in all waters of Puget Sound and the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in inclement weather conditions. Process samples in a wet lab. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  Weekend and evening work required seasonally. Will occasionally involve working irregular hours.

Travel requirements: Daily travel to field sites.  Occasional overnight travel required seasonally. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.

Or

Graduation from high school or GED including one 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 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of natural science classes.  Volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute year-for-year for experience.

License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Requires completion of both “basic flight” and “water ditching and survival” training before working aboard small aircraft.

After hire must complete MOCC (motorboat operators’ safety) training before operating small boats.

Must complete standard trainings, including safety training, expected of all WDFW employees.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Demonstrated experience conducting sometimes strenuous biological field work and data collection in occasionally challenging conditions.
• Experience working aboard vessels in marine waters.
• Experience towing, deploying, and operating small vessels safely.
• Familiarity with geography of Puget Sound and Hood Canal region.
• Experience in crustacean, molluscan, and finfish species identification and handling.
• Experience using a GPS to collect waypoints, electronic scales, and calipers for biological data collection.
• Experience using electronic data collection tools.
• Experience in interacting with stakeholders in a natural resource management setting.
• Experience on-board small aircraft.
• Experience as an organizer or coordinator in biological fieldwork settings.
• Experience using computers, including Microsoft-based applications like Word, Excel, Teams, and Access.
• Experience with ArcGIS online for data collection and QA/QC.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) 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 Cheri.Potter@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.