Adult Salmonid Trapping and Evaluation Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 – Permanent – 2026-06957

Title- Adult Salmonid Trapping and Evaluation Biologist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status– Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Fish Science Division
Duty Station– Dayton, Washington – Columbia County
Hybrid/Telework- While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station during field work seasons.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As the Adult Salmonid Trapping and Evaluation Biologist, you’ll play an important role in monitoring and evaluating Snake River summer steelhead, with a primary focus on work at Lyons Ferry Hatchery and in the field throughout Southeast Washington. 

This is an opportunity to conduct biological monitoring, evaluation, and research and help develop and implement trapping, sampling, and spawning protocols. You’ll coordinate the collection, analysis, and sharing of summer steelhead data with co-managers and partners throughout the Snake River basin. 

This position is an important part of WDFW’s efforts to support healthy and sustainable summer steelhead populations in the Snake River basin. You’ll work collaboratively with public, tribal, and state partners to manage hatchery and naturally spawning steelhead as a single population while helping minimize potential impacts of hatchery production on population productivity. 

Your work will help support sustainable steelhead fishing opportunities, contribute to a healthy and diverse steelhead population, and advance WDFW’s mission and responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act.

What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Adult Salmonid Trapping and Evaluation Biologist will,

Serve as a lead adult trapping biologist for Lower Snake River Compensation Plan’s (LSRCP) Monitoring and Evaluation of Lyons Ferry Hatchery Complex:

• Maintain and proof trapping databases for summer steelhead, spring Chinook, and bull trout handled and processed at Lyons Ferry Hatchery, Tucannon Fish Hatchery Weir, Cottonwood Acclimation Pond, and Dayton Adult Trap.
• Prepare the LSRCP Summer Steelhead annual report and assist with the adult trapping components of the LSRCP Spring and Fall Chinook annual reports.
• Direct and lead crew members in collecting biological samples and measurements, including fin clips, otoliths, scale samples, coded-wire tag extractions, and other samples collected during steelhead spawning at Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
• Assist, as needed, with developing LSRCP Statements of Work and Budgets and implement work plans as specified in the LSRCP contract.
• Develop and write research and project proposals and solicit external funding.

Serve as a WDFW technical representative to the LSRCP summer steelhead program and support other internal and external groups:

• Serve as a primary data contributor for Summer Steelhead spawned and sampled for broodstock at Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
• Collaborate with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) on basin-wide steelhead run reconstruction efforts for adult steelhead returns to Lower Granite Dam.
• Participate in weekly conference calls with co-managers and other agencies during the steelhead season to provide updates on PIT tag forecasts, trapping, and broodstock collection.

Provide supervision and mentoring of technical staff:

• Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor up to one permanent and one to three temporary technical-level staff to support an effective and motivated team.
• Set goals and objectives, develop strategies for implementation, and establish performance measurements and standards to ensure individual and program objectives are met.
• Monitor and inspect work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of assignments.
• Develop Performance Development Plans for assigned employees; create or update position descriptions; monitor and document employee performance; provide ongoing feedback; and conduct timely, meaningful employee performance evaluations.
• Develop and implement staff training and development plans, including cross-training, job-related training, and other opportunities that promote staff flexibility and professional development.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work primarily occurs in an office setting using a computer. Field work involves strenuous physical activity and may require repetitive lifting of fish, 5-gallon buckets of water, and woody debris that may weigh at least 50 pounds. Field duties include conducting spawning surveys on local rivers, including the Tucannon and Touchet; sampling at Lyons Ferry Hatchery; directing M&E data collection efforts during spawning and juvenile releases; and conducting PIT tagging of hatchery fish at several locations, primarily at the hatchery. Field work may include walking four-five miles per day in a flowing stream.  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 – Friday, 7:30am – 4:30pm. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: Travel is required several times a year to attend meetings and may be necessary to maintain current Safety Training requirements. Additional travel may be required to support program activities at various locations.

Tools and Equipment: PIT Tag readers and tagging equipment, laptops, tablets, boots, and waders.

Customer Interactions: Occasionally interact with landowners regarding access to walk stream surveys.

Qualifications:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, or a closely related field.
  AND
• Three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.

Option 2: 

• Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Please Note:

• A Master’s Degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

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 with the following:

• Microsoft Office Products and R.      
• Writing technical reports and giving presentations.
• Publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Collecting, entering, proofing data, and generating graphs and tables for reports and presentations.
• Anadromous salmonids in the Snake River and the importance of these stocks in determining downstream/ocean fisheries.
• Applying statistical analysis to acquired data.
• Installing, operating, and maintaining IPTDS (PIT Tag arrays).
• Downloading data from RMIS (Coded-Wire Tag Data) and PTAGIS (PIT Tag Data) from the internet.
• Supportively working with outside agencies.

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 (3) 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 Ashley.Lee@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: 2026-1234 – 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-06957.

Know someone who would like to volunteer? WDFW-Get Involved-Volunteer!

Follow us on social media:
LinkedIn jobshiringnearme.org Facebook jobshiringnearme.org Instagram