As an entry level professional biologist, this position works under close supervision to assist in the efforts of the Wildlife Program’s Science Division to understand the impacts of marine mammal and bird predators on Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed salmonids in Puget Sound. This position designs and leads field surveys in rivers, estuaries, and Puget Sound that are habitat for ESA listed fish stocks, conducts shore-based point counts of marine mammals and piscivorous birds to quantify their abundance, and estimates their potential impacts of predation on salmonids in these systems. Under close supervision of the Lead Marine Mammal Researcher, the employee conducts wildlife research, summarizes biological data, drafts research project summaries, and prepares reports or report segments. Coordination with intra- and inter-agency personnel, including tribal partners in their implementation of this research, and leading field activities that include other WDFW employees at the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 level will be key responsibilities for this position.
Work with Lead Marine Mammal Researcher to develop, coordinate, and carry out marine mammal and piscivorous bird surveys on rivers and estuaries around Puget Sound.
Tasks include:
- Conduct scientific literature review to understand and make recommendations about study design.
- Identify locations for shore-based point counts of marine mammals and piscivorous birds.
- Procure and maintain field equipment, including binoculars, laser rangefinders, spotting scopes, and tablets.
- Contribute to the design and improvement of a digital data collection app.
- Lead field efforts to collect survey data, including coordinating timing and location of surveys for other WDFW employees at the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 level, and working with State and Tribal partners to secure and maintain access to field sites.
Analyze and summarize field data
Tasks include:
- Conduct quality control/quality assurance of data collected in the field to prepare for analyses.
- Generate summary statistics and basic visualizations of field data.
- Under the close supervision of the Lead Marine Mammal Researcher, conduct statistical analysis of data to estimate detection probabilities, generate abundance estimates of species of interest, and identify patterns in the data.
Prepare reports or report segments
Tasks include:
- Contribute to the writing of reports of field research, including conducting literature reviews, generating figures and tables, and writing sections of text, to be reviewed and revised by the Lead Marine Mammal Researcher.
Working Conditions
Working sitting, including hazards:
- High percent of time (70%) in the field working around the water in weather conditions that can include rain, wind, snow.
- Field work may include inclement weather, slippery surfaces, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, carrying, bending, kneeling, and lifting.
Schedule:
- Primarily Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week with occasional weekends and possibly holidays required. Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- A Bachelors’ degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
OR
- Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for education requirement as long as that experience is in conducting shore-based marine mammal and marine/aquatic bird surveys.
Preferred/ Desired Qualifications:
- Professional experience conducting shore-based marine mammal and marine/aquatic bird surveys
- Ability to accurately identify Washington’s marine mammals and seabirds in both breeding and non-breeding plumages
- Knowledge of principles and procedures of biological research and field methods
- Proficient in use of MS Word and Excel with experience summarizing data in Excel or similar software
- Ability to apply standard statistical techniques to summarize research data
- Basic experience with R coding.
- Ability to adapt, respond positively, and be flexible when needs, conditions, and work responsibilities change at the last minute.
- Communicate effectively with the public, federal, state, tribal, and county officials.
- Self-motivated
- Knowledge of marine mammal/fishery interactions and issues.
- Willingness and ability to conduct fieldwork independently
- Teamwork: Promote cooperation and commitment within team to achieve goals and deliverables by valuing others, earning trust, and acting with integrity.
- Encourage team unity through sharing information or expertise, working together to solve problems, and putting team success first.
- Maintain and enhance self-esteem of team members – seek understanding and convey respect. Help remove barriers to team productivity and success.
- Ensure joint ownership of goal setting, commitments, and accomplishments – involve everyone on the team.
- Use diversity (cultures, interpersonal styles, abilities, motivations, or backgrounds) as an advantage.
- Respectful and inclusive work environment: all individuals are welcomed and treated fairly and respectfully, and employees feel empowered to contribute fully to serving their work unit, agency, and Washington’s citizens.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
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 specifically how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letters will not be accepted)
- A chronological resume profile that includes education and employment history.
- Names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Please ensure contact information is current and references are available.
NOTE:
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. Many of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
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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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.
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.