Creel Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Forks (WA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks a Creel Surveyor (Scientific Technician 2) for a 4-month assignment in Forks, WA. The role supports the Fish Management program with field creel sampling, angler interviews, and data collection to monitor harvest and impacts on native fish populations.

You will work in the Olympic Peninsula region, collecting data across multiple rivers, entering results into electronic and paper systems, and coordinating with supervisors.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 2 years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1, or equivalent laboratory/field experience
• College course work in natural sciences may substitute for experience
• Valid driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct creel sampling and angler interviews to estimate catch and effort
• Record data accurately into iPad/applications and paper forms
• Enter and review data in Excel, Access, or similar databases
• Summarize and prepare data requests for supervisors and management

Skills

Field sampling

Data entry accuracy

Public communication

Driving (valid license)

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Excel

Word

iPad/data entry devices

Job description

Description

Working Title- Creel Surveyor

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment Length- 4 Months –December 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management

Duty Station- Forks, Washington – Clallam County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Creel Survey – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities?

Join our team and conduct activities directly tied to the conservation of native fish populations in Olympic Peninsula of Washington.

In this role, you will conduct creel surveys to monitor fish populations in District 17, including in the Queets, Quinault, Clearwater, and Salmon rivers, with work as needed in District 16 which includes the Quillayute and Hoh rivers, contributing to estimates of harvest and wild fish impacts.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:

Creel sampling.

• Conduct angler interviews to estimate catch of target species and incidental impacts to non-target species during freshwater recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries.
• Performs surveys to assess angling effort, counting angler vehicles and trailers at multiple, pre-determined river locations accessed by motor vehicle.
• Provides feedback about sampling protocols, and accurately records data into iPad application, paper data sheets, and on scale and tissue sample card paper forms.
• Samples all Chinook, coho salmon, and steelhead with electronic CWT detection devices.
• Classifies, sorts, and enumerates marked (adipose fin-clipped), unmarked, and stubbed dorsal salmon and steelhead by CWT status.

Data.

• Legibly record angler interview, angler effort, and biological sample data..
• Accurately enter data to electronic devices.
• Review and tabulate data.
• Enter data to existing spreadsheets and databases in Excel, Access, or other apps.
• Summarize, prepare, write, text, call in, or email data requested by supervisors or other WDFW management staff.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is primarily conducted in the field. Adverse weather and environmental conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, and walking through vegetation and in uneven terrain in and near streams and rivers to obtain 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, transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. Contacting anglers requires driving and hiking to fishing areas or driving to creel locations via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel along streams on private (logging) roads throughout the district using a state vehicle. Staff may need to hike up to 5 miles or boat up to 10 miles of stream over slippery and uneven terrain to reach anglers. Boating may include navigating up to class III whitewater. This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. 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: Considerable driving is required via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel on private (logging) roads. May have to shuttle State vehicles between Forks, Montesano, and Olympia.

Customer Interactions: Interactions with co-workers from WDFW and co-managing Tribes, recreational anglers; interacts with the public during 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 public. Liaison to 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.

License: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Experience sampling adult salmonids for marks and tags, including scanning fish for coded wire tags (CWT) and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags.
• Experience using personal computers or mobile devices for data entry and writing to produce accurate and timely work products.
• Working knowledge of Excel and Word.
• Ability to identify saltwater and river stage adult salmonids to species.
• Ability to identify sex of adult salmonids.
• Experience conducting creel surveys.
• Experience rowing/rafting in rivers and streams.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other