Creel Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 2026-09363

State of Washington; Forks (WA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a Creel Surveyor to conduct field surveys in District 17 and adjacent rivers on the Olympic Peninsula. You will interview anglers, record catch and effort data, and assist with data entry and summarization under supervision.

Work is conducted in the field with travel to Forks, WA; hours are full-time for a 4-month appointment, and occasional evenings or weekends may be required. Training and safety guidance provided.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with science exposure; two years as Scientific Technician 1 or equivalent.
• College coursework in biology or related natural sciences can substitute for experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct creel sampling and angler interviews to estimate catch and effort.
• Record data accurately on iPad, paper forms, and data cards.
• Enter and review data in Excel/Access and summarize requests from supervisors.
• Interact with anglers and public; provide basic fisheries information.

Skills

Creel surveys

Data entry

Field work

Excel/Access

Report writing

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Science coursework substitute credits

Tools

iPad data entry

CWT detection devices

PIT tags

Job 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.

• Conducts 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 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:

• 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.

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 [e-mail].
• 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 [phone] or email [e-mail], 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 [phone] or [e-mail].

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job # 2026-09363.

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