Fish Passage Technician - Scientific Technician 3 - Non-Permanent - Two Openings - 2025-09272
Title- Fish Passage Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 3
Job Status- Full-Time – Non-Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Two (2)
Appointment Length- 6.5 months – February 2, 2026 – August 13, 2026
WDFW Program- Habitat Program
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Closing Date- 1/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Gain hands-on field experience assessing fish habitat access, quality, and quantity across Washington State’s freshwater streams.
In this role, you’ll independently plan and conduct fish passage inventories and habitat evaluations, identifying natural and human-made barriers affecting anadromous and resident salmonids, and collecting data using GIS mapping tools.
Your fieldwork and data analysis will directly support the conservation of fish and aquatic ecosystems statewide.
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 WDFW Fish Passage and Diversion Screening Inventory, including inspection, analysis, and reporting of human-made, in-stream structures such as culverts, dams, fishways, lake outlet screens, and water diversions.
- Assess fish use and perform barrier analysis of identified instream features, including locating, identifying, and assessing natural barriers to fish passage such as waterfalls, high gradient stream sections, and subsurface flow.
Habitat surveys:
- Independently plan, organize and conduct physical habitat evaluations of freshwater streams, including measuring stream features such as pool-riffle ratios, channel width, water depth, temperature, substrate ratios, stream gradient and estimating canopy and in-stream cover.
Data entry and usage 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) to create maps of fish passage features and habitat assessment sites.
- Use ArcPro to perform calculations related to habitat data analysis 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 to evaluate the long term effectiveness of stream simulation and no-slope designs.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:
- Primarily a field position with approximately 80% of the work week spent outside, the other 20% is spent in the office entering data.
- Fieldwork may include long hours in inclement weather conditions, work along busy state highways, walking streams through thick vegetation, navigating uneven and slippery terrain, and climbing over or around log jams and woody debris while carrying up to 30 pounds of field equipment.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: Typically, Monday – Thursday 7:00 A.M. -5:30 P.M. working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening and weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs. This position is not telework eligible.
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 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 state agencies, state and local government officials, Tribal members and representatives, local entities, and members of the public. Coordinate with and obtain permission from landowners prior to 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.
And all the following:
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to take interest in and understand others' perspectives, recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas, demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and be committed to serving 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.
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.
And all the following:
- Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Ability to take interest in and understand others' perspectives, recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas, demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and be committed to serving 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.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
Experience in/with:
- Windows, Word, Excel, Access, ArcGIS, and personal computers.
- WDFW Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual (2019) protocols.
- 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.
Competencies:
- Familiarity in laser survey equipment, digital cameras, GPS systems, clinometers and stream morphology measuring tools.
- Organization and time management to effectively prioritize workload and maximize efficiency.
- Using independent judgment to handle situations encountered in the field.
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.
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 #2025-09272.