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Creel Sampling Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - *04747-25

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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Title- Creel Sampling Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 7 Months – March 25 – October 22
For the 2025 season, this position is anticipated to begin August 16, 2025.
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Ocean Management
Duty Station- Bellingham, Washington – Whatcom County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!


Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities?

Play a key role in the collection of catch information and biological data critical to the management of Puget Sound’s fishery resources!

With your experience, you will conduct sampling activities at boat ramps throughout Puget Sound during recreational salmon, marine fish, and shellfish fisheries.

 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Creel Sampling Technician will,

Sample predominantly recreational fisheries for salmon, marine fish, and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition:

  • Interview recreational fishery anglers at assigned boat launch facilities.
  • Accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms.
  • Observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.
  • Sample all coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand detectors).
  • Classify, sort, and count marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.
  • Retrieve CWTs from the snouts of Chinook and coho salmon to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
  • Sample recreational and/or commercial salmon catch for biological data including DNA, age (scales), and sex ratios.

 

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is primarily conducted in the field. May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, and sampling salmon in a boat. 

Carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, working around fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, and the use of knives. May transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. 

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: 40 hours per week, 24/7 non-scheduled. Most shifts are 8 to 10 hours long and typically occur between 5:00 AM and 11:00 PM. Weekend and evening work is required.

Travel Requirements: Travel within the Puget Sound area, with seldom overnight travel. May be required to use personal vehicle for work when an agency-owned vehicle is unavailable.

Tools and Equipment: Sampling gear (such as personal floatation device (PFD), Coded Wire Tag (CWT) detector, and knives), exposure apparel (such as raincoat and gloves), iPad, and iPhone.

Customer Interactions: Interact with tribes, commercial harvesters and fishers, salmon buyers, fish processors, and recreational anglers and shellfishers. Interact with the public daily for fisheries data collection and to provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, sport fishing regulations, and agency programs and activities.

 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1. 

Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of high school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a 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 science classes.


Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

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.

  • HIS First Aid/CPR certification, obtained within six (6) months of hire.

 

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Experience with:

  • Conducting creel and sampling fisheries in the Puget Sound or a similar area.
  • Identifying all salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species.
  • Salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
  • Commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
  • Working with members of the public.

 

Your application should 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 pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits 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: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
 
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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov. 
  • 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: 2025-1234 – 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 Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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 support@neogov.com.
 
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04747.

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