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Ocean Fisheries Port Sampler - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 21 Openings - 2026-01363
State of Washington
Washington, USA · Multiple locations
Posted on Feb 19, 2026
Description
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Title - Ocean Fisheries Port Sampler
Classification - Scientific Technician 2
Number of Vacancies - Twenty-one (21)
Job Status - Full-Time - Non-Permanent
WDFW Program - Fish Program - Ocean Management Division
*Duty Station - Multiple Locations, Western WashingtonPosting Timeline - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until March 19, 2026. The first review of applications will take place on March 2, 2026. Application review is ongoing; submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be closed at any time.
*Multiple locations within Western Washington and a variety of anticipated appointment lengths – apply for one, a few, or ALL twenty-one (21) positions by submitting one application!
APPOINTMENT LENGTHS & LOCATIONS:
Anticipated Appointment Length: ~ 4 months
April 22, 2026 – August 31, 2026
Four (4) Positions – Neah Bay, Washington – Clallam County
Anticipated Appointment Length: ~ 5 months
April 22, 2026 – September 15, 2026
One (1) Position – La Push, Washington – Clallam County
Two (2) Positions – Ilwaco, Washington – Pacific County
Three (3) Positions – Westport, Washington – Grays Harbor County
Anticipated Appointment Length: ~ 4 months
June 8, 2026 – September 30, 2026
One (1) Position - Neah Bay, Washington – Clallam County
Four (4) Positions – Westport, Washington – Grays Harbor County
Six (6) Positions – Ilwaco, Washington – Pacific County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Sunrise on the Straight – Photo Credit: Ty Kaufman
Join the WDFW team and build valuable, hands-on experience in ocean fisheries fieldwork.
Engage with recreational and commercial anglers, examining fish and collect biological samples such as scales, DNA, otoliths, and Coded Wire Tags (CWTs) that inform critical management decisions.
Your work will play a meaningful role in sustaining fisheries and supporting fishing opportunities in Washington’s coastal communities.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Ocean Fisheries Port Sampler will,
Conduct port sampling of recreational and commercial fisheries:
- Collect catch effort and biological data from the ocean recreational and commercial troll fisheries through angler interviews, catch examinations, onboard observations, and collection of various biological data.
- Apply sampling protocols and field procedures to ensure statistical validity of data used by fishery managers for in-season quota management and sustainable harvest decisions.
- Record, summarize, and tabulate field data utilizing electronic devices, software programs, and paper forms. Synchronize data collection devices to external databases and ensure timely and accurate reporting.
- Engage professionally with sport, tribal, and commercial fishers to explain WDFW research projects, procedures, and objectives and encourage cooperation in reporting marked fish encounters, recording the types and locations of catches, and overall fishing effort.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:
- This position involves 100% fieldwork. Duties may be performed in busy fish houses, cannery rooms around various types of equipment and machinery, and aboard charter vessels at sea. Work activities are spent standing, walking, bending, negotiating steep ramps, slippery surfaces, and unstable docks, boarding vessels, and lifting, handling, and manipulating fish up to 60 pounds.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Duties may involve use or proximity to sharp sampling tools or fishing gear. Coastal temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the field. Some computer-based work will also occur.
Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The work schedule is flexible and may include assigned work hours at any time within a 24-hour period. Shifts are not fixed and may vary based on operational needs.
Travel Requirements: Travel is required daily within assigned ports and may occasionally include travel to Montesano or other locations within Washington.
Tools and Equipment: Knives, scissors, tweezers, hemostats, measuring board, personal flotation device (PFD), iPad, laptop, and T-wand.
Customer Interactions: Communicate with the public and with recreational and commercial marine fisheries participants regarding current federal and state fishing regulations, regulatory actions and respond to related questions.
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 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.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications:
Positions filled through this recruitment may vary in the Preferred Qualifications. Typical preferred qualifications may include:
Experience with:
- At sea fishery observation.
- Marine fishery sampling.
- Salmonid identification in their ocean phase
- Collection of catch and effort data from ocean fisheries.
- Recording and synchronizing data using electronic devices and paper forms error-free.
- Fish sampling procedures including fish handling, species identification, standardized interviews, coded wire tag (CWT) wanding techniques, Chinook DNA and scale collection.
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 professional references with current contact information.
Supplemental Information
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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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-01363.
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