Creel Surveyor - Scientific Technician 2 - Career Seasonal - 2026

Posting number: 2026-08692

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: SCIENTIFIC TECHNICIAN 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

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

Title- Creel Surveyor

Classification- Scientific Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal

Season Length- 9.5 Months-August 15 – May 31

For the 2026 season, this position is anticipated to begin December 1, 2026. WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Duty Station- Dayton, Washington – Columbia County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Busy Water Access Area on the Snake River – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about the great outdoors and committed to promoting sustainable fishing opportunities? Join our team and conduct activities directly tied to the conservation of native fish populations in southeast Washington.In this role, you will conduct creel surveys to monitor Snake River fall and spring Chinook fisheries and steelhead fisheries in the Snake, Grande Ronde, Tucannon, Touchet, and Walla Walla Rivers, contributing to estimates of harvest and wild fish impacts. What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Creel Surveyor will,

• Conduct steelhead, spring Chinook, and fall Chinook creel surveys.
• Identify fish species found in southeast Washington.
• Collect biological data and samples on fish species, including sex, length, marks, origin, scales, and genetic samples.
• Scan fish for coded wire tags (CWT) or passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and recover/read CWTs.
• Accurately record and tabulate all survey data.
• Compile summaries, check field data, and enter data into multiple data sets using Microsoft Office programs.
• Maintain equipment and tools to ensure proper function and safety.

Working Conditions: Work Setting, including hazards: Work occurs in both office and field settings, and may involve many hours of vehicle travel. Field work is conducted outside in all weather conditions, in remote locations alone or in a team setting, including hiking over rough and slippery terrain for long hours (10+ hours per day).

May encounter wildlife, work around noise and odors, and work with chemicals for biological sampling (ethanol) and vehicle operations (gasoline and oil). Repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, and long periods sitting, squatting, kneeling, carrying, and heavy lifting (including 5-gallon jugs of water and fish carcasses, weighing up to 40 pounds unassisted). Encounter fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, and the use of knives. May transport agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles. This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, 40 hours per week, 10 hours per day. Work will require working evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Travel Requirements: Extensive travel time within workdays.

Tools and Equipment: Hand tools, knives, coded wire tag (CWT) wands, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, cameras, satellite phone, Garmin InReach Mini 2.

Customer Interactions: Interact daily with members of the public and anglers during creel surveys.

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.

• College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, 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 science classes.
• Professional or volunteer experience involving biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural resources, engineering, or closely allied fields may substitute, year-for-year, for experience.

Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possesssomeor all the following:

• Basic First Aid/CPR card.
• Experience using coded wire tag (CWT) readers, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag readers, and collecting snouts from salmon/steelhead.
• Proficient identification of freshwater and anadromous fish species in eastern Washington.
• Proficient use of personal computers, including Microsoft Office programs.
• Proficient and safe operation of motor vehicles.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes Vets Image - Say Yes to those who served.

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
• 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.

Everyone Belongs Outdoors - WDFW Flag.

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.

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