Fisheries Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - Three Openings - 2026-03695

Title: Fisheries Technician.

Classification: Scientific Technician 2.

Number of Vacancies: Three (3).

Job Status: Full-Time/Non-Permanent.

Appointment Length: 4.5 months – June 1, 2026 – October 15, 2026.

Program: Fish Program – Fish Science Division.

Duty Station: Ellensburg, Washington – Kittitas County.

Position Summary

Join our team and gain valuable hands-on experience conducting fieldwork throughout the Yakima River Basin. You will contribute to salmon and steelhead monitoring through mark-recapture population estimates, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging, and other sampling efforts.

What to Expect

Collect field data associated with Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) contracted work under the Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP):

• Assist with mark-recapture population estimates using backpack and drift boat electrofisher.
• Collect rainbow trout, Chinook and coho salmon with backpack electrofisher for PIT tagging in the Yakima Basin.
• Collect biological data—scan for PIT tag, length, weight, fin clip for genetic analysis, and scales for aging.
• Identify all species in the Yakima Basin for assemblage data.
• Collect habitat measurements such as flow, stream widths, and thalweg.
• Assist with Chinook fry sampling using backpack electrofisher for growth comparisons.

Gather data in rivers to identify, count, and/or collect fish:

• Row a raft to study sites along the Yakima River.
• Snorkel upstream along the bank and down the center channel, identifying and counting all fish species seen.
• Snorkel on Spring Chinook redds, identifying all fish seen and counting the number of precocious males on each redd.
• Collect habitat measurements such as flow, densitometer, transects, site pictures, and GPS coordinates.

Working Conditions

• Outdoor work involves working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments in varying environmental conditions.
• Carry a 30-pound pack and a bucket of water (up to 40 pounds) while hiking quickly over wet, slippery, uneven terrain, and through streams where water temperatures are at times near freezing.
• Row rafts and snorkel upstream and downstream in cold, flowing river conditions (including fast-flowing/whitewater conditions).
• Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. Standard work schedule is Monday–Thursday, 7:00 A.M.–5:30 P.M. and may include occasional evening work as needed.
• May be requested to work out of town.

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.

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.

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.

• Valid Driver's License.

Preferred Qualifications

• A background in fish science and a basic understanding of the Yakima River basin and its tributaries.
• Experience rowing small rafts and drift boats, backpack electrofishing, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging, and snorkeling.
• Experience identifying all native and non-native fishes of the Yakima basin.
• Experience in proper sampling and handling of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed fish.
• Experience collecting data following set protocol with minimal supervision.
• Accurately recording data.
• Effectively communicating basic study objectives to the public and landowners.

How to Apply

Your application must 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.

For questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-03695.