Fisheries Research Technician – Scientific Technician

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Title: Fisheries Research Technician
Classification: Scientific Technician 2
Job Status: Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program: Fish Program - Hatchery-Wild Interactions Division
Duty Station: Dayton, Washington – Columbia County

This role plays a vital part in WDFW’s mission by supporting the Fall Chinook Program, Steelhead Program, and the Tucannon River Endemic Steelhead Evaluation Project through data collection, analysis, and reporting on ESA-listed steelhead and fall Chinook populations.

Directly contribute to WDFW’s 25-year Strategic Plan and conservation principles (Policy 5004) by promoting sustainable fish populations and informed management decisions.

As a key team member, this role fosters a collaborative and inclusive workplace while advancing critical monitoring efforts to support Washington’s fisheries.

What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fisheries Research Technician will:

Assist with the Fall Chinook Program – Snake River Lab:

• Participate in weekly spawning activities at Lyons Ferry Hatchery (LFH) during fall chinook spawning.
• Identify fish species and collect biological data at the Lower Granite Dam fish trap.
• Conduct spawning ground and carcass surveys in the Lower Tucannon River.
• Perform data quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), reconciliation, and summarization.
• Pick eggs, coded wire tag (CWT) retrieval and reading, and scale and otolith sampling.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and collaborate with partner agencies such as NOAA, Nez Perce Tribe, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Anchor QEA.

Assist with the Steelhead Program – Snake River Lab:

• Participate in spawning activities at LFH and satellite facilities for summer steelhead spawning.
• Assist with brood stock collection at trapping facilities.
• Conduct pre-release sampling of hatchery groups.
• Perform summer steelhead spawning ground surveys.

Additional Duties:

• Conduct spawning ground surveys for spring Chinook and summer steelhead.
• Participate in hook-and-line sampling of residual hatchery steelhead.
• Enter and verify data across multiple platforms.
• Format, upload, and download Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT) tag data to regional databases.
• Support Fish Science, Fish Management, and Hatcheries Division projects as assigned (e.g., PIT tag array installations/maintenance, creel surveys).
• Assist LFH staff with egg picking, raceway setup, and other hatchery operations as needed.
• Assist with mass PIT tagging activities at LFH.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• This position involves a combination of office and field duties.
• Fieldwork includes tasks at the Lower Granite Adult fish trap, Lyons Ferry Hatchery, in-stream adult traps and weirs, juvenile rotating screw traps, and stream surveys (3-4 miles in length) in various southeastern Washington streams.
• Potential hazards include slippery conditions at traps and hatcheries, cold water, in/near the stream, working outdoors in extreme weather. There is also a risk of bites or stings from insects, snakes or other wildlife.
• Sampling salmon carcasses may involve exposure to strong odors and various stages of decomposition.
• Field operations may require working irregular and non-standard hours, and varying weather and field conditions.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
• Office work includes extended hours on a computer and monitor.

Schedule:
Typically, day shifts of 8-10 hours, including weekends. During peak field season, work may include non-standard work hours (weekends, evenings/nights and/or holidays) and may occasionally exceed 40 hours per week.

Travel Requirements:
Daily travel for juvenile and adult traps, completing field surveys, assisting in spawning activities at Lyons Ferry, Tucannon River, or other locations within SE Washington. No overnight travel is expected.

Tools and Equipment:
Handheld power tools, chain saws, 4-wheel trucks, smolt traps, weirs, passive integrated transponders (PIT) tag transceivers, basic hand…