Description

EIGHT (8) OPENINGS
PART-TIME/ON-CALL/NON-PERMANENT
FISHERY OBSERVER
SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2 (ST2)

Fish Program
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Anticipated Appointment Length: 6.5 months
June 17, 2024 – December 31, 2024

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.

Research Vessel – Credit: WDFW

Picture yourself,

Using paper and electronic sampling to accurately record data on catch, by-catch, and vessel effort data.

With your data collection experience,

Maintain organized and legible records of data collected, observations made each day and all biological samples while on-board.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork,

Work closely with the boat pilots, biologists, and fishery managers in the Fish Management unit.

We are seeking a candidate,

Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Duties

Some of what our Fishery Observer will enjoy doing,

• 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.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR

Please Note:

Certifications/Licenses:

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

Experience with:

• Identifying salmon, marine fish, sturgeon, and marine mammals (pinniped)
• Fisheries sampling.
• Small boats.
• Accurately recording information.
• Communicating with the public.

Supplemental Information

• 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: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.

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 [email protected].
• 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 [email protected].
• 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.

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 please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email [email protected], 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 [email protected].

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