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.

The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife is hiring 8 part-time fishery observers to help with onboard sampling and data collection on commercial fishing vessels in Olympia, WA. These positions are part-time/on call, Anticipated Appointment Length: 6.5 months, June 17, 2024 – December 31, 2024.

Duties

Onboard fish sampling and data collection: 

• Interact professionally with commercial fishing crews and captains.
• Observe and record seabird and marine mammal interaction/encounters with fishing gear.
• Review and summarize data for mid-day and end of day reporting.
• Identify salmon and other marine fish by species, record marked status, soak time, mesh size, compliance with recovery box use, coded wire tag (CWT) presence or absence, and condition of salmon upon release from recovery box.
• Collect biological samples including but not limited to tissue for GSI/DNA analysis, scales, sex/lengths, otoliths, and possible bird carcasses.
• Work with Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and tribal staff members to collect biological and catch composition data during the test fishery.
• Participate in other sampling duties as required (may include Charter boat observing, dockside/creel sampling for other species, beach seine sampling, and marine laboratory work).
• Participate as Research Vessel deck crew which involves handling lines, assisting in vessel maintenance, loading gear, assisting in launch/retrieval, and following vessel operators’ instructions.
• Work with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access) to assist in data archiving of previous years sampling efforts.
• Data entry and quality assessment/quality control (QA/QC) of datasheets.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Will perform sampling on a working commercial fishing vessel, transferring safely from one (1) boat to a fishing vessel while vessels are underway.
  • Ability to make swift but accurate decisions about safety, fully and effectively complete assigned duties and tasks while at sea, especially during rough seas and inclement weather including rain and wind.
  • A high level of comfort on boats and in rough seas. Research boats may not have restroom facilities, however alternatives will be provided (Example: a marine grade portable toilet or docking to use shoreside facilities). Boats may not have heat therefore, appropriate layers of warm clothing will be needed during colder months and warmer months may require sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Intermittent, on-call, seven (7) days a week during the open commercial fishery season. Will include 12 hours or more 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.
  • Often traveling occurs in the early morning and late at night.
  • Overnight stays are expected when sampling the fishing fleet in certain areas.
  • Mileage from duty station to the vessels along with hotel stays are reimbursable. Per diem rates are given during the day. Hours over 40 per week accrue 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 floatation device (PFD), genetic supplies, and other safety equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interact with commercial fisherman including vessel captains and crews.

Apply

This recruitment will be posted until May 22, 2024 – first review of applications will take place on May 8, 2024.  Application review is ongoing, please submit your application materials as soon as possible.