Fish Passage Technician - Scientific Technician 3 - Non-Permanent - 3 Openings - *04882-25
Title- Fish Passage Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 3
Number of Vacancies- Three (3)
Job Status- Full-Time - Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 6.5 months – August 18, 2025 – February 26, 2026
WDFW Program- Habitat Program
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
This position supports the conservation of fish and aquatic ecosystems by conducting fish passage inventories that identify natural and human-made barriers impacting anadromous and resident salmonid movement.
Envision yourself in the field, independently planning, organizing and conducting fish passage assessments and physical habitat evaluations on freshwater streams. Later, you’ll process physical and biological stream data.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Passage Technician will:
Inventory data collection:
- Conduct advanced on-site evaluations statewide for the agency’s Fish Passage and Diversion Screening Inventory, including assessment, analysis, and reporting of human-made, in-stream structures such as culverts, dams, fishways, screens, and water diversions.
- Assess potential fish utilization and conduct a barrier analysis of identified instream features.
- Locate, identify, and assess natural barriers to fish passage such as, waterfalls, cascades, high gradient stream sections, and subsurface flow.
Habitat surveys:
- Independently plan, organize and conduct physical habitat evaluations of freshwater streams, including measurement of stream features such as pool-riffle ratios, channel width, water depth, temperature, substrate ratios, stream gradient, and estimation of canopy and in-stream cover.
Data entry and utilization of GIS mapping software:
- Process physical and biological stream data, using established data conversion and statistical procedures, in Excel spreadsheets and Access databases.
- Use GIS software (ArcPro) for creating maps of fish passage features and habitat assessment sites.
- Use ArcPro for calculations relating to the analysis of habitat data and Level B Hydraulic Analysis, including stream gradient, stream length, elevations, precipitation, and drainage basin area.
Hydraulic Project effectiveness monitoring:
- Collect on-site data following a strict protocol that will be used to determine the long-term effectiveness of stream simulation and no-slope culvert designs.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- This is primarily a field position with approximately 80% of the work week spent outside.
- Work long hours in inclement weather conditions along busy state highways, walk through streams with dense vegetation, and climb over or around log jams and woody debris on uneven and slippery terrain, all while carrying up to 30 lbs. of field gear.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
- The other 20% of the work week is spent in the office entering data. This position is not telework eligible.
- Office-related hazards may include prolonged exposure to fluorescent lighting, extended periods of computer use, repetitive data entry, and sitting or standing for long durations.
Schedule: Typically, 7:00 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. Monday - Thursday. May include evenings and weekends.
Travel Requirements: Vehicle travel up to 200 miles per day to survey locations. Overnight travel required.
Tools and Equipment: Survey equipment (laser, auto level, stadia rod, gravel probe), machete or electric hedge trimmer for brushing, other pertinent sampling gear as needed for data collection per the protocols found in the Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual.
Customer Interactions: Interact with other agencies, state and local government officials, Tribal members and representatives, local entities, civilians, etc. Contact landowners before entering private property.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.
Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science and four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
Competencies:
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to take interest in and understand others' perspectives, easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas, demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and be committed to the service of the public, mission and team.
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.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.
- Swiftwater 3 training (agency provided)
- First Aid/CPR (agency provided)
- Wilderness First Aid (agency provided)
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
Experience in/with:
- WDFW Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual (2019) protocols.
- Windows, Word, Excel, Access, ArcGIS, and personal computers.
- Rotary laser survey equipment, digital cameras, GPS systems, clinometers and stream morphology measuring tools.
- Resident and anadromous salmonid life histories.
- Freshwater habitat requirements of resident and anadromous salmonids.
- Performing advanced data collection and data analysis techniques in barrier determination of human-made in-stream water features.
- Observing and identifying fishes and the various fish species in the freshwater environment.
- Interpreting aerial photographs and topographic maps and the ability to navigate using said resources and accurately measure features on maps.
- Using independent judgment to handle situations encountered in the field that are not addressed in a strict protocol such as the WDFW Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual (2019).
- Organization and time management to effectively prioritize workload and maximize efficiency.
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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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: 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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04882.