Nooksack Stock Assessment Survey Lead Technician - Scientific Technician 3 - Permanent - 2026-08767

State of Washington

Bellingham (WA)

On-site

USD 70,000 - 95,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Job summary

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) seeks a Nooksack Stock Assessment Lead Technician in Bellingham, WA. The role blends field work with leadership, supervising seasonal staff and ensuring accurate data collection on salmon and steelhead.

You will conduct spawning-ground surveys on District 14 rivers, oversee creel surveys, collect biological samples, and perform data entry in Excel or Access. This is a full-time, year-round position with outdoor duty in varying conditions.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED with one year of science coursework.
Four years of experience as a Scientific Technician.
High school diploma with one year science, plus four years in lab or field as an assistant to a fish and wildlife biologist.
Preferred: Bachelor or Associate degree in Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, or Natural Resources.
Experience in fish and wildlife data handling is valued.

Responsibilities

Lead and conduct spawning ground surveys.
Provide technical oversight of non-permanent staff.
Conduct creel surveys and aerial counts.
Enter field data into Excel or Access.
Maintain field equipment and coordinate vehicle maintenance.
Work outdoors in varied conditions and travel district-wide.

Skills

River salmonid ID

Teamwork

Independent work

Data entry

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor/Associate in Fisheries Biology or related

Job description

Nooksack Stock Assessment Survey Lead Technician

Classification: Scientific Technician 3 (ST3)

Job Status: Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program: Fish Program – Fish Management

Duty Station: Bellingham, Washington – Whatcom County

Please note: This position is eligible for an additional 15% pay differential when the incumbent is performing flight duties or chemical immobilization as noted in the duties listed below.

Team WDFW

Love working in the field and want your work to directly support salmon and steelhead conservation?

The Nooksack Stock Assessment Lead Technician leads hands-on field work throughout District 14, conducting spawning ground and creel surveys and collecting critical data on salmon, steelhead, and other salmonids.

You’ll spend plenty of time in the field, while also helping lead and train seasonal staff and making sure the data collected are accurate and useful. That information helps WDFW estimate salmon returns, monitor fisheries, inform management decisions, and track progress toward important salmon and steelhead recovery goals.

If you’re looking for a role that combines field work, leadership, science, and a direct connection to salmon conservation, this could be a great opportunity to explore.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Nooksack Stock Assessment Lead Technician will,

Salmon and Steelhead Stock Assessment Surveys:

Lead and conduct salmon, steelhead, and bull trout spawning ground surveys, primarily on the Nooksack and Samish Rivers and independent drainages throughout Whatcom County.
Provide technical oversight of stock assessment work performed by non-permanent staff and assist with additional surveys throughout District 14 as needed.
Walk, raft, or boat sections of the Nooksack and Samish Rivers and other independent drainages.
Accurately identify, count, and record observations of freshwater stage adult and juvenile salmonids, salmonid redds, and other freshwater fish species.
Collect biological data and samples from salmonid carcasses.
Install and evaluate artificial redds to estimate steelhead redd life.
Evaluate potential spawning habitat as directed.
Conduct aerial helicopter surveys.

Supervise, Train, and Lead Stock Assessment Work:

Supervise and train non-permanent field staff and help direct and facilitate Nooksack stock assessment field work.
Train staff to safely row pontoon boats in class 3 whitewater.
Participate in recruiting, hiring, and evaluating non-permanent staff.
Exercise discretion to modify survey protocols as needed to address uncontrollable environmental variables.

Conduct Creel Surveys:

Conduct creel sampling of sport fisheries as assigned.
Train and direct non-permanent staff in conducting creel surveys.
Conduct aerial angler counts by helicopter.
Conduct creel surveys primarily on river and lake fisheries in District 14, with occasional assignments outside District 14 as needed.

Data Compilation:

Review stock assessment field data collected to ensure it is accurate, complete, legible, and organized.
Prepare sampling supplies for DNA, otolith, scale, and coded wire tag (CWT) collections.
Organize and inventory biological samples, including but DNA samples, scale cards, otolith collections, and snouts.
Enter field data into Microsoft Excel, Access, or other software.

Administrative:

Maintain field equipment, including rafts, oars, personal flotation devices (PFDs), electroshockers, and sampling gear.
Coordinate vehicle maintenance and oil changes.
Check and replenish vehicle fluid levels between oil changes and notify the supervisor of any vehicle issues.

Working Conditions:

Work is performed almost entirely outdoors in all seasons and weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, snow, and precipitation. Work may involve slippery, uneven, loose, or otherwise challenging terrain and may require prolonged periods of standing, walking, wading, and navigating difficult terrain.
Most work is performed independently in remote locations, including areas with limited or no cell service and in or around swift-moving water. Rafting may be performed in up to Class 3 whitewater. Use of rafts, pontoons, drift boats, jet boats, and bicycles may be required to access field sites. Helicopter flights may be required for aerial redd surveys and angler counts.
Work may involve encounters with potentially dangerous wildlife, including black bears and cougars, as well as stinging and biting insects. Potential hazards include lacerations from sampling instruments or environmental hazards; drowning; sprains, strains, fractures, and contusions. Work involves potential exposure to traffic and boating accidents and other hazards associated with mechanized or human-powered travel across variable terrain and under changing environmental conditions.
Frequently carry up to 75 pounds of equipment for short distances to access field sites, including portaging rafts and carrying equipment over logjams and other obstacles. Work may require prolonged periods of standing, walking, wading, and navigating uneven or difficult terrain.
This position involves working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Work may involve safely wading remote streams in thigh- to waist-deep water.

Schedule:

Typically, Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week. Occasional irregular hours, including weekends, holidays, pre-dawn, late night, or night shifts may be needed.

Travel Requirements:

Regular travel throughout District 14 is required. Occasional in-state travel for meetings or trainings that may require overnight stays. Periodic travel to Olympia may be required to pick up supplies, deliver samples, and attend trainings.

Tools and Equipment:

Four-wheel-drive pickup trucks, pontoon rafts, drift boats, jet boats, bicycles, personal computer, GPS, CWT detection wand, PIT detection wand, waders, wading boots, machetes, and sampling equipment, including forceps, scissors, and knives.

Customer Interactions:

Interact with WDFW staff, public and private landowners, local government, co-managers, anglers, boaters, hikers, volunteers, and WDFW enforcement personnel.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science.
Four (4) years of experience as a Scientific Technician.

Option 2:

Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) year of high school science.
Four (4) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a fish and wildlife biologist.

Please Note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, aquaculture, natural sciences, or closely allied field may 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelors or Associates degree in Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Environmental Science, or Natural Resources.

Experience:

Two (2) years of related work experience in Fisheries Biology.
Two (2) or more years of paid professional experience as a salmonid spawning ground surveyor. With at least two seasons each of Chinook and steelhead spawning ground surveys.
Two (2) years of professional experience operating drift boats, rafts and/or pontoons in Class 3 whitewater.
One (1) or more seasons of professional experience conducting creel surveys.
Experience entering data into databases and spreadsheets.

Ability to:

Identify river and ocean stage salmonids to species.
Work in a team environment and maintain enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
Function independently and efficiently as well as part of a team, accept supervisory authority, record data rapidly and accurately, pay great attention to detail, recall instructions, write legibly, and communicate effectively orally and in writing.

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.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for.

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:

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.

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.