Shellfish Field Technician - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 2026-03260

Title- Shellfish Field Technician

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status-Full-Time / Non-Permanent

Appointment Length-4 months– May 11, 2026 – September 8, 2026
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management
Duty Station- Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Crab creeling at Port Townsend boat ramp – Photo Credit: WDFW

As a key member of the Puget Sound Shellfish Program, this position is vital to the collection of shellfish harvest data that informs sustainable fisheries management.

Focused on recreational crustacean and intertidal shellfish fisheries, the role involves conducting creel surveys, harvester counts, and buoy and boat assessments throughout Puget Sound.

In addition to fieldwork, this position supports shellfish management through data entry and summary reporting for agency biologists and managers.

The data collected helps guide resource conservation efforts, ensures compliance with state and federal mandates, and supports the equitable allocation of shellfish stocks between the state and treaty tribes.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, theShellfish Field Technicianwill,

Shellfish Fisheries Sampling and Data Collection:

• Interview recreational fishery participants at assigned access points.
• Implement interview procedures and sampling protocols and accurately record data on appropriate electronic or paper forms.
• Collect data designed to evaluate recreational harvest, including counting, measuring, and weighing harvested shrimp, crab, bivalves, squid, and seaweed.
• Collect catch record card (CRC) recording compliance data for the Puget Sound recreational Dungeness crab fishery.
• Interact with the public, including conducting outreach and education through fisher interviews focused on explanation of current harvest regulations, shellfish species biology, and Puget Sound resource management.
• Conduct harvester effort sampling to quantify daily shellfish harvester intensity through ingress/egress surveys and performing effort surveys for recreational shrimp and bivalve fisheries from boats or ground and entering data into mobile device applications.
• Serve as a liaison to the regional supervisor on observed fishery violations.

Support Shellfish Program Stock Assessment and Biological Data Collection:

• Participate in the biological sampling of adult, juvenile and larval crab throughout Puget Sound using defined protocols.
• Participate in intertidal stock assessments, including participating in clam and oyster surveys.
• Participate in crab and shrimp test fishing aboard the #699 vessel.
• Occasionally process bivalve and crustacean biological samples in the lab. Data collected includes length, weight, sex, shell condition, egg status and species.

Data Entry, Review and Summary:

• Upload and maintain accurate and complete datasets.
• Conduct error checks of sampling data.
• Enter and upload recreational shellfish catch information gathered through recreational fisher interviews.
• Enter data from crustacean and intertidal stock assessment surveys, which may include samples processed in the field and samples processed in a wet lab setting.
• Process lab and field samples from crustacean and bivalve test fisheries and biological studies, assuring samples are processed accurately and sampling protocols are maintained.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work occurs both in the field and in an office environment.
• Field work is conducted traversing public beaches, dockside and at access sites, and aboard various vessels in marine waters – including the 38-foot WDFW Vessel #699 research vessel and smaller boats (small outboard motorboats, inflatable rafts, and 24’ to 34’ agency vessels). Boat-board work is conducted in all waters of Puget Sound and the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca in inclement weather conditions.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
• Carry heavy, awkward loads (up to 50 lbs) over difficult terrain on a periodic and infrequent basis. Lift field equipment overhead and manipulate while loading vehicle roof rack.
• Prolonged periods of stooping, squatting, and bending while digging holes in rough terrain.

Schedule:

Non-scheduled work hours are typically 6-12 hours per day between 5:00am and 11:00pm, 40 hours per week. Weekend and evening work required.

Travel Requirements:

Occasional overnight travel required seasonally. May be required to use personal vehicle for work use, with mileage compensated, if an agency vehicle isn’t available.

Tools and Equipment:

iPad, electronic sampling equipment weighing scale, calculator, calipers, head lamp, buckets, tally counter, paper forms, labels, pencils, pens, clipboard, Personal Floatation Device (PFD), WDFW apparel, gloves, rain gear, GPS units, cellphones, motor vehicles, navigation systems, hip waders, chest waders, microscopes, and cameras.

Customer Interactions:

Engage with WDFW staff and Tribes, commercial harvester or fishers, fish and shellfish buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers. Provide basic fisheries information and explain sport fishing regulations to the public, including occasional interactions with upset individuals. Provide a high level of customer service to anglers and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one (1) 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 (1) 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 (6) semester or nine (9) quarter hours of natural science classes.
• Professional and volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year for year, for 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:

• 6 months of professional fieldwork experience.
• 6 months of professional biological data collection experience.
• Experience interacting with members of the public/customer service.
• Experience conducting creel surveys and sampling fisheries.
• Knowledge of locally occurring crustacean species.
• Knowledge of recreational crabbing and shrimping methods and gear.
• Familiarity with current recreational crustacean harvest regulations in Puget Sound.
• Familiarity with the geography of Puget Sound and Hood Canal region.
• Biological data collection using electronic scales and scientific calipers.
• Science topics education and outreach experience.
• Experience using electronic data collection tools.
• Experience working with specialized data collection forms and mobile device apps.
• Experience in confidentiality rules, regulations, and restrictions.
• Experience using GPS in a field setting.

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 otherspecial 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#2026-03260.

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