Aquatic Biologist - Fish And Wildlife Biologist 3 - Project - *15146-23

Salary: $5,088.00 - $6,838.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Project (limited duration)
Job Number: 2023-15146
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 11/28/2023
Closing Date: 12/19/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
FULL-TIME/PROJECT
AQUATIC BIOLOGIST
FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 3
Fish Program - Ecology and Life Cycle Monitoring UnitOlympia, Washington - Thurston County
Anticipated Project Length: 24 months
July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2025
As a senior level biologist, evaluate interactive effects of non-native species and climate change on native salmon populations.
Visualize yourself planning and executing biological studies, and providing invaluable insights that inform spatially explicit freshwater restoration and conservation strategies for the Chehalis River watershed.
Chehalis Smallmouth - Credit: Nick VanBuskirk
Picture yourself,
Interpreting critical data on temperature, climate change and ecology of non-native Fish and transforming it into informative written reports, oral presentations, and peer-review manuscripts.
With your experience,
Gather data in rivers by snorkeling to identify, count and collect fish, or deploy and inspect field gear.
The optimal applicants are detail oriented,
Purchase, organize, and maintain project equipment, following agency purchasing and inventory requirements.
We are seeking a candidate,
Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties
Some of what our Aquatic Biologist will enjoy doing,
Collect data using various fisheries sampling techniques and analyze, interpret, and communicate data related to non-native predatory fish. Snorkel to gather data, count or collect fish, and deploy and inspect field gear:

• Critique, develop, and finalize protocols annually.
• Apply fisheries sampling techniques to complete key objectives of this project as assigned including electrofishing, seining, eDNA collection, and telemetry for fish abundance, presence, and behavior information.
• With supervisor or unit leader, apply statistical principles to provide analyses related to population dynamics of non-native fish predators.
• Identify repairs needed with equipment and complete repairs.
• Ensure data is entered, saved, and completed in a timely manner.
• Snorkel for abundance indices for various riverine fish species.

Provide data collection, analysis, interpretation, and communication of data related to stream temperature:

• Critique, develop, and finalize protocols annually.
• With supervisor or unit leader, apply statistical principles to quantify stream temperature patterns.
• Communicate research results in agency reports, peer reviewed literature, and oral presentations.

Supervising and administrative duties:

• Hire, train, and supervise multiple non-permanent Scientific Technician positions.
• Counsel and settle employee conflicts, enlisting help of supervisor when necessary.
• Ensure staff are up to date with agency training.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Most field surveys are conducted as flows are descending in the spring and in the summer low flow conditions. Additional surveying for radio tracking fish, stream temperature, or other activities may be conducted year-round and often independently.
  • Long hours of exposure to warm and cool temperatures and will work long hours in dry suits or waders.
  • To access field locations, hiking down and up steep slopes while carrying field gear will be needed. Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, occasionally lifting and moving heavy objects between 50 - 100 pounds including large buckets of water to transport fish, sampling gear, and other equipment. Navigate rivers on pontoon boats.
  • Snorkel in rivers with fast/flowing whitewater conditions under all weather conditions for up to four (4) miles per day. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
  • Safe use of electrofishing equipment and various chemicals including Tricaine Methanesulfonate (MS-222).
  • Part of the position requires working in an office setting to perform database management, analysis, and assisting with reports.

Schedule:

• With the possibility of adverse weather conditions, the work schedule is variable, however is typically Monday - Thursday, 10 hours per day during the field season. This schedule may vary when in the office.
• Length of workdays may vary day-to-day and may include overnight camping. Hours over 40 per week accrue as exchange time.

Travel Requirements:

• Daily travel occurs from the office to sampling sites with WDFW vehicles. Some local and regional travel is necessary to pick up sampling gear and attend training.
• Overnight travel is rare.

Tools and Equipment:

• Hand tools, power tools, global positioning units, computer tablets, eDNA sampling backpacks, radiotelemetry equipment, hydroacoustic gear, and fish sampling gear such as e-shocking devices, seine nets.

Customer Interactions:

• Interactions with landowners will occur throughout the season due to the rivers flowing through private property. Site access on private property will need to be secured.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

AND

• Three (3) years of professional experience in one (1) or more of the following:
  1. Fish management or fish research.
  2. Wildlife management or wildlife research.
  3. Habitat management or habitat research.

OR

• Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Please Note:

• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• A Master's degree in the applicable science will substitute one year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Driver's License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Incumbent must be capable of accomplishing the above duties and tasks while maintaining a safe, healthy, and positive work environment and adhering to WDFW workplace safety policies.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire and renewal expected annually.
• Incumbent must have an up to date First AID and CPR certification and be a registered snorkeler according to WDFW policies. If the incumbent does not have these certifications prior to hire, appropriate training will be provided.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
Ability to:

• Apply methods of biological data collection and experimental design.
• Define research problems and determine the extent and type of information needed.
• Conduct fish population abundance estimates and critically interpret results.
• Summarize and communicate research findings into technical scientific reports, peer reviewed manuscripts, and public forums.
• Use software packages such as R, GIS, and Microsoft Office.
• Communicate with private landowners to secure site access.
• Use hand and power tools.
• Manage workloads and schedules for field crews and volunteer staff, organize and prioritize tasks, remain focused and work efficiently.

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience organizing and supervising the work of others.
• Training and supervising personnel.
• Acquiring permits for land access and scientific collections.

Knowledge of:

• Salmonid life cycle and non-native fish ecology
• Identifying and handling native and non-native freshwater fish species and freshwater fish ecology
• Fisheries research techniques including electrofishing, snorkeling, seining, telemetry, and environmental DNA collection.
• Small boats, outboard motors and hauling trailers.

Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume.
• Three professional references.

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
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agencyand the perksof working for WDFW!
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency's mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
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.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone at 360-902-2278 or email JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
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.
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