Summary

Salary: $3,883.00 – $5,214.00 Monthly

Our Scientific Technicians play a critical role in preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself, collecting biological and fishery data from the coastal commercial Dungeness crab.

This is an opportunity, to act as the lead technician in carrying out of all aspects of the spot shrimp management plan, including development of annual spot shrimp permits (required in addition to the agency issued limited entry license), scheduling of all biological sampling and communication with all license holders.

In this dynamic role, maintain knowledge of current fishery regulations. Disseminate new regulations or alert industry to anticipated changes.

The optimal applicants are excited and eager to interact with the public and share WDFW’s fishery regulations and resources.

Duties

Port and at-sea collection of critical Dungeness crab biological data: 

• Independently monitor commercial landings for Dungeness crab, pink shrimp, and spot shrimp through regular communication with individual fishers and fish buyers. Determine which vessels are fishing and anticipate when they will land their catch.
• Build positive relationships with commercial fishers and arrange for regular at-sea sampling trips on board commercial vessels to collect key Dungeness crab biological data needed by managers to make important decisions.
• Collect logbooks from vessel captains either at time of landing or soon after. Enter and summarize catch data, biological information and logbook entries into existing databases and spreadsheets.
• Submit timely bi-weekly summaries to fishery managers during the summer Dungeness crab fishery biological and fishery data from the coastal commercial Dungeness crab and shrimp fisheries to meet monthly sampling goals and management priorities.
• Ensure all individual species collected for sampling are done so in a random and unbiased fashion and is accurate and complete. For Dungeness crab, sampling includes collecting sex, length, and very important shell condition information using the subjective shell “flex” test (which requires correctly and consistently differentiate between “slightly” flexible, “moderately” flexible and “very” flexible.)

Carry Out Spot Shrimp Management Plan: 

• Each year, before December 1, provide WDFW Licensing Division with new versions of the WDFW Spot Shrimp Permit with any changes made by fishery managers.
• Act as the point-of-contact listed in the permit for the required 24-hour notice of landing and then be present at as many landings as possible to collect biological data.
• Process all spot shrimp biological samples in a timely fashion by collecting length and sex information.
• Collect required logbooks and ensure timely entry of all logbooks in the Access database.

Assist razor clam staff with annual stock assessment work, recreational harvest data, and collecting DOH samples:

• Understand priorities in order to work with other projects as time allows. Communicate and coordinate schedules with other shellfish staff.
• Assist with razor clam stock assessment and the collection of razor clam harvest data including effort, CPUE, and lengths.
• Always follow appropriate safety practices while conducting field sampling, following established methods.
• Visit local schools to educate children about razor clams, crab, and other local wildlife.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR

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 or environmental science classes.

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special requirements: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Supplemental Information

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

 In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• 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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must 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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Subject line must 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.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.