Make a positive impact for maximum fishing opportunity while assuring that conservation objectives are met for long-term fishery sustainability.
Envision yourself in the field, collecting recreational and commercial catch data used for short-term quota management and long-term management of ocean recreational and commercial fisheries.
Picture yourself, collecting catch effort and biological data from the ocean recreational and commercial troll fisheries through angler interviews, and examination of marine fish catches.
With your experience, record, summarize, and tabulate field data utilizing electronic devices, software programs, and paper forms.
The optimal applicant, will have strong interpersonal and communication skills to allow effective leadership and to interact positively with the public.
We are seeking a candidate, who models WDFW (Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife) values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties
Some of what our Ocean Fisheries Port Sampler will enjoy doing, conduct port sampling of recreational and commercial fisheries:
- Collect catch effort and biological data from the ocean recreational and commercial troll fisheries through angler interviews, examination of marine fish catches, and collection of various biological data.
- Provide feedback and make judgments regarding sampling protocols and field procedures which directly affect the statistical validity of data used by ocean fishery managers.
- Record, summarize, and tabulate field data utilizing electronic devices, software programs, and paper forms.
- Daily synchronization of data collection devices to external databases, and the reporting of all data on forms error-free and promptly to fishery managers used for in-season quota management.
- Regular professional interactions with sport, tribal, and commercial fishermen to explain WDFW research projects, procedures, and objectives. Request their cooperation in reporting marked fish encounters, recording the types and locations of catches, and overall fishing effort.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Fieldwork is 100% of the position, with some computer work. Long and odd hours during the ocean fisheries. Coastal temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the field. The work can take place in busy fish houses or cannery rooms around various types of equipment and machinery. Stand, walk, bend, and negotiate steep ramps, slippery surfaces, unstable docks, boarding vessels. Lift, handle, and manipulate fish up to 60 pounds. The work involves the utilization of or being near sharp sampling tools or fishing gear. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
Schedule:
- Non-scheduled 24/7 and will work 40 hours per week. This position will return every year and work from Match 11 – October 15. Requires weekend work, non-consecutive days off, occasional long hours, overtime, and holiday work.
Travel Requirements:
- Daily travel required within assigned port and occasional travel to Montesano or other ports within Washington.
Tools and Equipment:
- Knives, scissors, tweezers, hemostats, measuring board, personal flotation device, iPad, T-wand, and laptop.
Customer Interactions:
- Communicate with the public and recreational/commercial marine fisheries participants regarding current federal/state fishing regulations, regulatory actions and answer questions.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
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.
OR
Graduation from high school or GED including one (1) year of school science AND two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
Please Note: College coursework 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
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
Experience:
- Six (6) months experience in marine fishery sampling
Knowledge of:
- Salmonid identification in their ocean phase
Skill/ability to:
- Proficiently collect catch and effort data from ocean fisheries.
- Record and synchronize data utilizing electronic devices and paper forms in an error-free manner.
- Exhibit a good understanding of sampling objectives and methodologies.
- Meet sampling objectives and maximize data accuracy and integrity.
- Demonstrate excellent competence in sampling duties; fish handling, species identification, standardized interviews, coded wire tag (CWT) wanding technique, Chinook DNA, and scale collection.
- Distribute accurate information on ocean seasons and management actions to the public.
- Provide insights and feedback concerning sampling activities and staff performance to the supervisor.
- Maintain and promote personal, staff, constituent, and public safety.
- Maintain assigned gear.
