Coho Spawning Ground Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Non-Permanent - 3 Openings - 2026-06601

Posting number: 2026-06601

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Environmental Services, Parks and Beaches, Recreation, Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Wetlands, Sciences, Green-Collar/Environmental, Wildlife

Summary

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Title- Coho Spawning Ground Surveyor

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent

Number of Vacancies- Three (3)

Appointment Length- 3.5 months – September 28, 2026 – January 14, 2027

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management – Region 5
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Spawned-out Coho in Little Bear Creek – Photo Credit: WDFW

If you enjoy working outdoors and want to play a direct role in conserving Washington's iconic salmon and steelhead populations, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to make an impact. 

As a Coho Spawning Ground Surveyor, you'll hike and raft through Lower Columbia River tributaries to conduct spawning ground surveys, collect biological data, and monitor the health, abundance, and distribution of Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead. 

The information you gather will help assess stock status, guide fisheries management decisions, and support sustainable recreational fishing opportunities while collaborating with biologists, hatchery staff, field technicians, program managers, and partner agencies.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Coho Spawning Ground Surveyor will,

• Conduct adult salmonid spawning ground surveys on Lower Columbia River tributaries to collect data used to measure Viable Salmonid Population (VSP) parameters, including Diversity, Distribution, Abundance, and Productivity, which is used to determine the viability and health of salmonid populations and generate accurate and precise adult salmonid abundance estimates. 
• Identify and count live and deceased adult salmonids, as well as redds. 
• Collect biological data from salmonid carcasses, including Coded Wire Tag (CWT) status, sex, marks, fork length, previous clips, marks, scales, DNA, and potentially otolith collection.
• Accurately record data collected during field activities into an iPad.
• Operate handheld digital data collection devices, including iPads and CWT detectors.
• Submit scale cards, CWT snouts, DNA, and otolith sample collections in a timely manner.  
• Download field data from iPads daily and notify the supervisor of any data errors requiring correction.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 85% of the time in a fieldwork environment with exposure to inclement weather conditions and extended work hours. Duties are often performed independently or as part of a team and may require travel by foot or cataraft. 
• Lift (with or without assistance) large live fish weighing up to 30 pounds and carry field equipment weighing up to 70 pounds, including pontoon rafts and other gear.
• Walk in and along streams up to six (6) miles per day, including climbing up and down steep and slippery banks. Operate pontoon rafts on rivers with fast-flowing water and whitewater conditions, covering up to 15 miles per day.   
• Handle and sample spawned-out salmon and steelhead carcasses in various stages of decomposition, often with strong odors, as part of salmonid population monitoring surveys.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Work four (4) rotating 10-hour shifts per week, typically Monday to Thursday. Schedule may include long days, nights, weekends, and holidays to me