See full job and application details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3156011/fish-wildlife-research-scientist-1-region-4-permanent-07349-21

Duties

• Plans project objectives and develops study designs for estimating salmonid abundance.
• Develops R code for various models to be informative for the watersheds of interest.
• Evaluates salmon and salmon-habitat data availability in Stillaguamish and Snohomish watersheds; and collects and manages data as needed.
• Develops and cultivates interdisciplinary collaborations with WDFW and external scientists and managers.
• Determines existing data availability in watershed(s).
• Assesses how the models used in this project can inform salmon conservation, recovery, and management.
• Identifies funding opportunities and applies for grants to support continued research.
• Prepares contractual reports and peer-reviewed publications addressing salmonid ecology, habitat relationships, abundance, conservation, management, and recovery generated by models.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:    
  • This position can be stationed in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, or Pierce counties.
  • When approved to return to our physical office spaces, staff will work with their supervisor to identify an appropriate work schedule that may include full-time assignment to one of our office locations, full-time telework, or some hybrid of telework and work from our office locations.
  • Work is generally performed in an office environment but includes periods of field work for data collection and meetings with local biologists and managers. 
  • As part of the field work, tasks may be performed in moving water for extended durations; this includes during surveys floating in rafts and snorkeling in rivers.
  • Walking/swimming over slippery and/or unstable rocks, logjams, through and around deep pools, and through thick vegetation. 
  • There will be exposure to insects, thorny/spiny vegetation, pollen, inclement weather, and cold/hot conditions. 
  • Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, and lifting will be required.
  • Working in a rural setting, surveyors may encounter hostility or threats from landowners, their pets and possible wildlife encounters.
• Schedule:   
  • Typical business hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday (40 hour/week) schedule. 
  • Includes periods of field activity and coordination with a broad network of collaborators including those working in the field.
• Travel Requirements: 
  • Sporadic travel, primarily within the Puget Sound and coastal regions.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Doctoral degree with a major in fisheries science, population biology, or wildlife ecology OR mathematics or statistics with emphasis in animal population or management.

        OR

• A Master’s degree in wildlife, habitat, or fisheries science, biology, zoology, or in mathematics with emphasis on animal population biology, or closely allied field,

       AND 

• Two years of professional experience designing and conducting wildlife, habitat, or fish-related research studies; or statistical or mathematical research in population biology or population management.

       OR

• Equivalent professional experience may substitute year for year for education requirement if that experience is in mathematics or statistics with emphasis in animal population or management OR fisheries science or fisheries management with an emphasis in mathematics or statistics relative to animal population biology or management, or related field.

 Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Driver’s License.

     AND
 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Knowledge of salmonid behavior, life history, habitat, ecology, and population dynamics; and integrated population models for salmon.
• Knowledge and experience with coding in and modifying existing code of statistical programming languages and/or platforms including R.
• Experience using GIS; application of descriptive, comparative, and advanced statistical approaches. 
• Experience and demonstrated success in writing scientific reports and peer-reviewed research articles.
• Experience presenting research findings at scientific conferences and to general audiences; aptitude for using background, language, and concepts appropriate for each target audience.
• Experience coordinating activities of multiple entities and collaborators.
• Experience for addressing sensitive issues on which stakeholders have strong and sometimes opposing opinions by providing a balanced assessment of scientific results.
• Aptitude for critical thinking, intellectual autonomy, and crafting precise language.
• Experience with fisheries sampling techniques in rivers and streams, including electrofishing, rotary screw traps, redd surveys, PIT tags, angling, snorkeling, rafting, and/or wading.
• Possesses self-motivation and commitment needed to successfully achieve project goals.

 Ability to:

• Earn participation, trust, and respect from project partners. 
• Evaluate multiple sources of information, including data generated by the incumbent and the scientific literature, to synthesize a narrative that builds biological knowledge.
• Clearly articulate scientific concepts and facts, both orally and in writing.
• Clearly describe research plans to project collaborators, coordinate activities among multiple collaborators, and provide project status updates.
• Develop and execute analytical approaches to address scientific questions, and ultimately draw conclusions from biological data based on facts and evidence. 
• Set clear project objectives, develop a work plan, and meet deadlines.
• Set and achieve interim project milestones consistent with long-term research priorities. 
• Plan research expenditures and track budgets.
• Function autonomously and solve problems encountered during research activities.

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.govand 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 NOTES: 
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

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. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
 
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of 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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect. (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.

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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line should 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.