Job Title

Salary: $4,119.00 - $5,531.00 Monthly Location : Clark County - Ridgefield, WA Job Type: Full Time - Permanent Job Number: 2026-02135 Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Opening Date: 03/11/2026 Closing Date: 3/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific Description Title- Sturgeon Fishery Monitoring Technician Classification- Scientific Technician 3 Job Status- Full-Time - PermanentWDFW Program- Fish Program - DivisionDuty Station- Ridgefield, Washington - Clark County Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW! Photo Caption: White Sturgeon - Photo Credit: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife This is an opportunity to gain hands-on fisheries experience throughout the Columbia River Basin.Envision yourself working on foot or from watercraft while conducting sturgeon and eulachon stock assessment and fishery monitoring surveys. With an emphasis on quality control and analysis, you will also review data collected during sturgeon and eulachon fisheries. What to Expect- Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Sturgeon Fishery Monitoring Technician will, Perform sturgeon and eulachon stock assessment surveys: Conduct the annual Columbia River Zone 6 and lower Columbia River white sturgeon stock assessment surveys as a boat operator and deck sampler. Deploy setlines to capture, tag, sample, and record biological data from captured fish as part of a multi-agency research program on white sturgeon in the Columbia River Basin. Conduct population surveys to estimate eulachon spawning stock biomass. Set plankton gear to capture eulachon larvae and eggs and process samples to determine the quantity of plankton collected. Obtain, sample, and process eulachon caught in commercial and test fisheries in the Columbia Basin. Record biological data, take genetic samples, and remove otoliths to estimate age of captured fish. Conduct white sturgeon recruitment index surveys. Deploy small mesh gillnets to capture, tag, sample, and record biological data from young-of-year white sturgeon. Lead and conduct sturgeon and eulachon fishery monitoring surveys: Coordinate and implement an annual fishery monitoring survey to collect and analyze catch and effort, biological, and mark-recovery data from the recreational sturgeon fishery on the Columbia River between Bonneville Dam and McNary Dam. Coordinate and implement an annual fishery monitoring survey to collect catch and effort, and biological data from recreational eulachon fisheries on the Cowlitz River. Perform quality analysis and control on sturgeon and eulachon fishery monitoring data and contribute to annual reporting: Review and verify angler interview and effort data collected during recreational sturgeon and eulachon fisheries for accuracy and completeness. Cross reference sturgeon passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag codes logged on detectors against electronic forms. Review and check adult eulachon sampling data from mainstem Columbia commercial and test fisheries, recreational and test fisheries in Columbia River tributaries, and sampling data collected outside of the basin for accuracy and completeness. Working Conditions: Work setting, including hazards: Work settings include vessels while on the water, shore areas adjacent to rivers, estuaries, lakes, and other bodies of water, fish buying facilities, recreational or commercial fishing docks, laboratories, and office environments for shifts up to 10 hours. Significant time may be spent driving or riding in agency or commercial fishing vessels in unprotected waters during severe inclement weather, while deploying and retrieving setline, gillnet gear, larval and egg collection gear. Communicate using marine VHF radios and cell phones and hear on board staff over loud motors and other vessel equipment. Handle large fish ranging from a few feet up to six (6) feet long and more and lift and move items weighing up to 70 lbs. without assistance Spend one (1) or more hours a day driving a pickup truck, sedan or SUV. This may include towing and launching research vessels over 20 feet in length. Creel and fishery monitoring work may require several hours per day walking alone on slippery, uneven, steep or moving docks, highways, boat ramps and riverbanks. Additional hazards may include vessel mechanical failure, puncture wounds or lacerations from sampling equipment, knives, sturgeon scutes, or fish spines and repetitive stress injury from processing fish samples and computer data entry. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Work may exceed 40 hours per week, hours outside of the standard schedule and weekends. Travel Requirements: Travel to fieldwork locations involving week-long overnight stays throughout the year. Tools and Equipment: 25 foot research vessels, 16-20 foot jetboats, hydraulics to deploy research setline and gillnet sampling gear, marine radar and VHF radios, personal locator beacons, personal floatation devices (PFD), GPS and satellite equipment, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, acoustic telemetry transmitters and receivers, instruments to conduct surgical biopsies and tag insertions, knives, hemostats, scale cards, snout labels, coded wire tag (CWT) wands, PIT tag detectors, measuring tapes, digital or spring scales, and binoculars. Customer Interactions: Interview anglers, collecting data and answering questions regarding fishery status and fishing regulations Qualifications:Required Qualifications: Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science.AndFour (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician. Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science.AndFour (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, 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 or environmental 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: Experience with the following: Natural habitats of fresh and saltwater commercial and recreational fish species. Fish spawning habits. Commercial and recreational fishing methods and gear. Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and basic computer file management. Working aboard a fish or research vessel Recording and compiling research data. Working effectively as part of a team in the field while conducting fish research. Communicating clearly and effectively with the public. Handling large fish, such as sturgeon several feet in length and collecting and recording appropriate data. Setline and gillnet gear. Operation of standard sized plankton net and gear in riverine habitats Laboratory equipment used to observe and enumerate larval fish and eggs. Recording accurate length and weight measurements on live fish. Implementation of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags using a PIT tag injector and handheld PIT reader. Fin ray sample collection for age analysis. Fish tissue sample collection for genetic analysis. Operating a 16+ foot boat in rivers and reservoirs during a range of weather and flow conditions. Conducting creel and/or fishery monitoring surveys and interacting with recreational anglers and commercial fishers. Various aspects of WDFW's complex multi-agency sturgeon and eulachon research and monitoring projects. Identifying white and green sturgeons, eulachon, longfin smelt, salmonids, shad, and native and non-native resident fish species of the Columbia Basin. Basic boat and boat engine maintenance. 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 and other , there are other 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: 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 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 , 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 . Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to and reference job #2026-02135. Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram lb More than Just a Paycheck! Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs. Read about our benefits: The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time. Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. Insurance Benefits Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs. Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees. Retirement and Deferred Compensation State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options. Social Security All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system. Public Service Loan Forgiveness If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Holidays Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year. Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information. Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. Vacation (Annual Leave) Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave. Military Leave Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Bereavement Leave Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave. Additional Leave Leave Sharing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Leave Without Pay Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits. Updated 01-07-2026 01 Are you currently an employee of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife? This includes permanent, non-permanent, intern, project, and career seasonal. Yes No 02 Do you have a valid driver's license? Yes, I have a current valid driver's license. No, I do not have a current valid driver's license. 03 Please select the option below that best describes the highest level of education you have completed. High School Diploma/GED. Some College. Vocational Degree or Certificate. Associate's Degree. Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degree. Ph.D. None of the above. 04 What is your major area of study? If you possess multiple degrees, please list each degree and major. (If this does not apply to you, please put N/A.) This includes both vocational and college education. 05 Please select the option below that best describes your experience as a Scientific Technician or laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist. I do not have this experience I have less than 4 years of experience I have 4 years or more of experience 06 Please briefly describe your experience as a Scientific Technician or laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A). 07 Please select the option(s) below if you have experience with the following. Select all that apply. Conducting creel and/or fishery monitoring surveys including interactions with recreational anglers and/or commercial fishers Handling large fish, such as sturgeon several feet in length and collecting and recording appropriate data Working aboard a fish and/or research vessel Working effectively as part of a team in the field while conducting fish research Various aspects of WDFW's complex multi-agency sturgeon and eulachon research and monitoring projects None of the above 08 Please briefly describe your experience conducting creel and/or fishery monitoring surveys. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A). 09 Please briefly describe your experience working aboard a fish and/or research vessel. Include any boat operation experience and the types of fish handled. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A). 10 Please select the option(s) below if you have experience identifying the following fish. Select all that apply. White sturgeon Green sturgeon Eulachon Longfin smelt Salmonids Shad Native and/or non-native resident fish species of the Columbia Basin None of the above 11 How did you hear about this job posting? (Select all that apply). American Fisheries Society (AFS) Careers.wa.gov Community Based Organization Community/Technical College Conservation Job Board El Informador Facebook Four W's Fishing Team, LLC - Willard Franklin III, LinkedIn Handshake Hiring Event/Workshop Indeed.com Job Board Job Fair LinkedIn MHCC - Mount Hood Community College Newspaper Other Other State Agency Other Website Professional Association Society of American Foresters (SAF) Texas A&M Twitter University Job Board UW College of the Environment WDFW Employee WDFW Recruiter WDFW Website Word of Mouth WorkSource 12 Tell us more - kindly share which website, organization, person, or other source led you to this job posting. Required Question