Fish Passage Technician - Scientific Technician - Non Two

Position: Fish Passage Technician - Scientific Technician 3 - Non-Permanent - Two Openings - 2025-09272

Title: Fish Passage Technician

Classification: Scientific Technician 3

Job Status: Full-Time – Non-Permanent

Number of Vacancies: Two (2)

Appointment Length: 6.5 months – February 2, 2026 – August 13, 2026

WDFW Program: Habitat Program

Duty Station: Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Overview

Gain hands‑on field experience assessing fish habitat access, quality, and quantity across Washington State’s freshwater streams. In this role you will independently plan and conduct fish passage inventories and habitat evaluations, identifying natural and human‑made barriers affecting anadromous and resident salmonids, and collecting data using GIS mapping tools. Your fieldwork and data analysis will directly support the conservation of fish and aquatic ecosystems statewide.

What

to Expect

Fish Passage Technician responsibilities include:

• Inventory data collection: Conduct on‑site evaluations for the WDFW Fish Passage and Diversion Screening Inventory, inspecting culverts, dams, fishways, screen outlets, and diversions. Assess fish use and perform barrier analyses of in‑stream features and natural barriers such as waterfalls and high‑gradient sections.
• Habitat surveys: Plan, organize, and conduct physical habitat evaluations of freshwater streams, measuring pool‑riffle ratios, channel width, water depth, temperature, substrate ratios, stream gradient, and estimating canopy and in‑stream cover.
• Data entry and GIS: Process physical and biological stream data using Excel and Access, and use Arc Pro to create maps of fish passage features and habitat assessment sites, performing calculations related to habitat data analysis and Level B Hydraulic Analysis.
• Hydraulic monitoring: Collect on‑site data following strict protocols to evaluate the long‑term effectiveness of stream simulation and no‑slope designs.

Working Conditions

Primarily a field position with approximately 80% of the work week spent outside. Fieldwork may include long hours in inclement weather, busy state highways, thick vegetation, uneven terrain, and climbing logs while carrying up to 30 pounds of equipment. This position may involve working in or near water and traveling up to 200 miles a day, with required overnight travel.

Schedule

Monday – Thursday 7:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M., 40 hours per week, with potential evening and weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered. This position is not telework eligible.

Tools and Equipment

Survey equipment (laser, auto level, stadia rod, gravel probe), machete for brushing, and other sampling gear as needed for data collection per protocols found in the Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual.

Customer Interactions

Interact with other state agencies, state and local government officials, Tribal members, local entities, and the public. Coordinate with and obtain permission from landowners prior to entering private property.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications – Option 1: High school graduation or GED, one year of high school science, four years of experience as a Scientific Technician, and the following abilities:

• Effective verbal and written communication
• Understanding others' perspectives, assertiveness, and commitment to public service and team mission

College coursework in major biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, or natural sciences (at least six semester or nine quarter hours) will substitute for experience.

Required Qualifications – Option 2: High school graduation or GED, one year of high school science, four years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist, and the same communication and teamwork abilities as Option
1. College coursework will substitute for experience.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with ArcGIS, Windows, Word, Excel, Access, and personal computers; familiarity with WDFW Fish Passage Inventory protocols; knowledge of resident and anadromous salmonid life histories and habitat requirements; advanced data collection and analysis techniques for barriers; fish species identification; interpretation of aerial photographs and topographic…