Creel Surveyor – Scientific Technician 2 – Career Seasonal – 2026-06113

Working Title– Creel Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status– Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length– 5.5 Months – May 25 – November 7. 
For the 2026 season, the expected season length is August 24, 2026 – November 7, 2026.
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Puget Sound Management
Duty Station– Kingston, Washington – Kitsap County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about the preservation and protection of fish and shellfish populations?

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.

With your experience, you will collect and summarize recreational salmon, marine fish, and shellfish catch information.

We are seeking a candidate to interact with Puget Sound recreational anglers and shellfishers, as well as co-workers from WDFW and Treaty Tribes.  

WHAT TO EXPECT –
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:

Sample recreational fisheries for salmon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and other marine fish.  Sample salmon for coded-wire tags. Collect biological data from fish.   Some positions also sample commercial salmon catch at fish buyers and processing facilities.

• Interview and sample recreational fishery anglers at assigned boat launch facilities.
• Properly implement interview procedures and sampling protocols.
• Accurately record data on appropriate electronic or backup paper forms.
• Observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.
• Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand detectors).
• Classify, sort, and enumerate marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.
• Remove the snouts of Chinook and Coho salmon with CWTs to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
• Sample recreational and/or commercial salmon catch for other biological data such as DNA, age (scales), and other biological samples.

Data review, public relations, maintenance, and other administrative duties.

• Daily use of iForms. Conduct error checks of sampling data before uploading.  Upload data daily.
• Provide the public with information on sport fishing regulation and fish identification.
• Liaison with WDFW Enforcement and supervisor on fishery violations when needed.
• May operate and maintain an agency vehicle.
• Maintain sampling equipment.
• Daily check of Microsoft TEAMs chats and email in Outlook.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is primarily conducted in the field.  May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, use of knives, may transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. 

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule requires flexibility; may be assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Work shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.

Travel requirements: May travel throughout Puget Sound, including the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal. Overnight travel will be infrequent, and use of a personal vehicle may be required.

Customer Interactions: Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial harvester or fishers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers; interacts with the public daily for fisheries data collection, and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, as well as agency programs and activities. Provides sport fishing regulatory information to the public. Includes possible contact with individuals who are angry, distraught, or frustrated.  Provides a high level of customer service to anglers and the general public.  Liaison with regional supervisor and enforcement on fishery violations observed in the field.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.  

Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science, and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.  

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 semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

For both options above:

License: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Experience conducting creel and sampling fisheries in Puget Sound or a similar area.
• Experience identifying all salmon species and common Puget Sound marine fish and shellfish species.
• Experience with salmon life history and sport fishing regulations.
• Experience with commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
• Experienced with handling fish.
• Experience working with members of the public.
• Experience with Microsoft (MS) Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, TEAMs and MS Windows.

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 (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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-06113.

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