Anticipated Appointment Length: 7.5 months
May 15, 2023 – December 31, 2023

Are you interested in being onboard commercial fishing vessels and collecting data valuable for in-season fishery management?

Join the commercial fishing vessel crew and conduct a variety of onboard sampling, sample processing, and work with data.

Apply today and start your next adventure with WDFW!

Research Vessel – Credit: Korie Griffith

With that in mind,

Picture yourself using paper and electronic sampling methods to accurately record data on catch, by-catch, and vessel effort data.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork and will work closely with the boat pilots, biologists, and fishery managers in the Fish Management unit.

We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Chum Salmon – Credit: Peter Sergeeff

Our Fishery Observer,

• Interact professionally with commercial fishing crews and captains.
• Identify salmon and other marine fish by species and record the marked status of all salmon.
• Document soak time, mesh size, compliance with recovery box use, utilize standard detection protocols to detect coded wire tag (CWT) presence/absence, and the condition of salmon upon release from recovery box.
• Observe and record seabird and marine mammal interaction and encounters with fishing gear.
• Review and summarize data for mid-day and end of day reporting – requires maintaining organized and legible records of data collected, observations and biological samples while on-board.

• Participate as Research Vessel deck crew – includes handling lines, assisting in vessel maintenance, loading gear, assisting in launch/retrieval, and following vessel operators’ instructions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Exposure to rough seas and inclement weather conditions, cold and hot temperatures on research boats – some boats do not have bathroom facilities, marine grade portable toilet will be available, or may dock to use shoreside facilities.
  • Requires sampling on a working commercial fishing vessel, transferring safely from one (1) boat to a fishing vessel while vessels are underway.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Intermittent/On-Call - 7 days a week - 12 plus hours per day – plus additional travel hours as needed.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Observers will be required to travel to and from their duty station to the location of the research boat using their personal vehicle – travel often occurs in the early morning or late evening.
  • Overnight stays are expected when sampling the fishing fleet in certain areas.
  • Mileage from duty station to the vessels and hotel stays are reimbursable. Hours over 40 hours per week accrues as compensation time or is paid out each payroll period.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • iPads, thumb counters, Coded Wire Tag (CWT) wands, forceps, isopropyl alcohol, generic office equipment, personal flotation device (PFD), genetic supplies, and other safety equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interacts with commercial fisherman including vessel captains and crews.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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

OR

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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

License/Certifications:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• College course work in science or a related field.

Experience:

• Identifying salmon, marine fish, sturgeon, and marine mammals (pinniped).
• Fisheries sampling.
• With small boats and being capable of working at sea.
• Accurately recording information.
• Communicating with the public.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• May require the use of a personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement.

• 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 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

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:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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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