Herpetofauna Species Lead - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - *14994-23

Salary: $5,341.00 - $7,184.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2023-14994
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 11/27/2023
Closing Date: 12/25/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
HERPETOFAUNA SPECIES LEAD
FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 4
Wildlife Program
Olympia, Washington - Thurston County
This recruitment will be posted until December 25th, 2023 - the first review of applications will take place on December 11th, 2023. Application review is ongoing, please submit your applications materials as soon as possible. This continuous recruitment may be closed at any time.
Join our team as an expert-level biologist with the opportunity for statewide leadership in the field of natural resource assessment, conservation, and management.
Independently and collaboratively shape and implement biological studies, conservation plans, and projects, focusing on native herpetofauna and their vital habitats in Washington.
If you possess deep knowledge in applied ecology, strong communication and collaboration skills, and a passion for rare species' conservation, apply today and make a significant impact on the state's biodiversity and ecological sustainability!
Western Pond Turtle - Credit: WDFW
Picture yourself as a subject matter expert,
On amphibian and reptile ecology and management with a strong emphasis on rare and listed Species of Greatest Conservation Need, particularly the northwestern pond turtle and northern leopard frog.
With your effective and inclusive communication skills,
Facilitate on the ground conservation and recovery actions, and habitat enhancement for amphibian and reptile Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, both inside the agency and externally,
Lead and guide technical working groups, communicate with stakeholders, and coordinate and implement projects for recovery, conservation, and management of rare species.
We are seeking a candidate,
Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties
Some of what our Herpetofauna Species Lead will enjoy doing:
Conduct state-wide conservation and recovery, facilitation, coordination, and implementation:

• Serve as the Diversity Division point of contact for northwestern pond turtle, northern leopard frog, and other Herpetofauna Species as assigned.
• Provide coordination within the Department and with external partners, including state, federal, non-government, and other entities.
• Support development of Species of Greatest Conservation Need survey and monitoring protocols.
• Coordinate or assist in coordinating, guiding, and engaging in working groups.
• Seek funding and manage grants.
• Integrate federal and state priorities, management, and recovery actions to benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need with emphasis on northwestern pond turtle.

Produce and curate foundational agency documents in agency systems, such as:

• Status assessments, status reports, periodic status reviews, and candidate assessments.
• Recovery plans for threatened and endangered species, conservation strategies for sensitive species, management, and species-specific action plans.
• Reintroduction of feasibility documents and plans.

Provide technical guidance:

• Maintain familiarity with data, products, and information for the position's SGCN species, habitats, and systems.
• Provide technical expertise for policy and management decisions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with periodic field work during species and habitat specific field seasons.
  • Office work includes working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data and looking at a computer screen for long periods of time.
  • Fieldwork may require navigating on foot within remote environments, over rough terrain for 8 - 12 hours, multiple days in a row to conduct surveys or related tasks. Fieldwork may be in highly variable weather conditions, and require occasionally moving, carrying, or unloading up to 50 pounds (may include equipment, tools, traps and kayaks).
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule:

• Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Incumbent is expected to schedule their time within a typical 40-hour work week. Partial telework options available.
• When field or grant seasons require extended hours, incumbent is expected to communicate with supervisor and team to address needs.
• Incumbent is expected to adjust schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel is periodic. Statewide or regional travel and occasional attendance at evening meetings will be required.
• Extended travel or overnight travel may occur.

Tools and Equipment:

• Standard office equipment, field equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), survey and telemetry equipment, vehicles, computers, tablets, and global positioning system (GPS).

Customer Interactions:

• Frequently communicating information for and negotiation with the public, project partners, local government officials, and special interest groups related to conservation, agriculture, land use, or forestry.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, or natural resources science such as wildlife biology, zoology, wildlife ecology, landscape ecology, or related field.

AND

• Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife or habitat management OR wildlife or habitat research related to species expertise.

OR

• Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.

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 for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience).

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Driver's license.

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

• Using critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data, and information.
  
• Safely operating motor vehicles

Knowledge of:

• Ecology and biology, species distributions, and habitat associations of rare herp species of Washington.
• Population biology, wildlife, habitat and ecological systems associations, and conservation biology.
• Wildlife surveying, monitoring, and research techniques.
• Wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance.
• Grant, contract, and project management.

• Data management, statistical analysis, spatial data analysis, information synthesis and delivery.
• Resource management agencies missions, approaches, and means of cooperating and collaborating.
• Conservation planning, endangered species recovery and management, and game species management.

Ability to:

• Effectively communicate with agency representatives, colleagues, and the public to gain assistance and cooperation with Department conservation planning and species recovery programs
• Conduct effective oral presentations at scientific conferences, agency meetings and public meetings.
• Write, edit, and publish professional documents and reports.
• Cooperate and participate with conservation planning teams.
• Lead and coordinate efforts of scientific expert teams in research and planning projects.
• Develop successful research designs and conservation and management approaches.
• Produce basic GIS products.
• Manage grants, contracts, budgets, and projects.
• Train and mentor others if needed.

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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