Creel Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - 2026-06113
State of WashingtonAbout the role
Posting number: 2026-06113
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job classification: SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2
Posting type: Open & Promotional
Categories: Natural Resources, Wetlands, Green-Collar/Environmental, Wildlife
Summary
WDFW recruitment bannerWorking Title- Creel Surveyor
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- 5.5 Months – May 25 – November 7. For the 2026 season, the expected season length is August 24, 2026 – November 7, 2026.
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Puget Sound Management
Duty Station- Kingston, Washington – Kitsap County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption – Coho 2018 – Photo Credit: WDFW
Are you passionate about the preservation and protection of fish and shellfish populations?
With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.
With your experience, you will collect and summarize recreational salmon, marine fish, and shellfish catch information.
We are seeking a candidate to interact with Puget Sound recreational anglers and shellfishers, as well as co-workers from WDFW and Treaty Tribes.
WHAT TO EXPECT -
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:
Sample recreational fisheries for salmon, halibut, marine fish and shellfish catch to determine the catch per unit of effort and species composition to obtain valid sport catch estimates for salmon and other marine fish. Sample salmon for coded-wire tags. Collect biological data from fish. Some positions also sample commercial salmon catch at fish buyers and processing facilities.
- Interview and sample recreational fishery anglers at assigned boat launch facilities.
- Properly implement interview procedures and sampling protocols.
- Accurately record data on appropriate electronic or backup paper forms.
- Observe, count, and accurately identify all salmon and marine fish species.
- Sample all Coho and Chinook salmon with electronic coded-wire tag (CWT) detection devices (wand detectors).
- Classify, sort, and enumerate marked (adipose fin-clipped) tagged, marked untagged, unmarked tagged, and unmarked untagged salmon.
- Remove the snouts of Chinook and Coho salmon with CWTs to determine stock specific impacts for fisheries modeling.
- Sample recreational and/or commercial salmon catch for other biological data such as DNA, age (scales), and other biological samples.
Data review, public relations, maintenance, and other administrative duties.
- Daily use of iForms. Conduct error checks of sampling data before uploading. Upload data daily.
- Provide the public with information on sport fishing regulation and fish identification.
- Liaison with WDFW Enforcement and supervisor on fishery violations when needed.
- May operate and maintain an agency vehicle.
- Maintain sampling equipment.
- Daily check of Microsoft TEAMs chats and email in Outlook.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: Work is primarily conducted in the field. May encounter adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, boating for 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, may transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.
This position
Apply for this role
Generate a tailored application kit with a matched cover letter, interview prep, and CV highlights — in under 60 seconds.
Apply Now →Generate Application KitFree account required — sign up in 30s