See full details at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3206741/fish-wildlife-biologist-2-in-training-fish-program-permanent-09153-21
Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:
Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 – $3,294.00 – $4,286.00
Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 – $3,987.00 – $5,229.00
Our Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2,
- Oversees an annual field sampling program to collect and analyze catch and effort, biological, and mark-recovery data from the recreational sturgeon fishery as part of a multi-agency research program.
- Conducts the annual white sturgeon stock assessment surveys as a boat operator and deck sampler – deploys setlines to capture, tag and take basic measurements and samples.
- Performs field surveys to estimate eulachon spawning stock biomass – sets plankton gear to capture eulachon larvae and processes samples to determine the quantity of larvae collected.
- Works aboard contracted commercial fishing vessels to capture and tag white sturgeon for mark-recapture studies.
- Conducts white sturgeon recruitment index gillnet surveys in the Columbia basin.
- Supervises and mentors technical and professional level staff.
- Reduces accidents and injuries by improving working practices and conditions.
- Assists in producing in-season weekly and annual catch and effort estimates using predefined harvest evaluation models.
- Documents angler survey results in annual project progress reports.
- Recommends sturgeon harvest management actions.
- Tracks and summarizes non-treaty commercial harvest, treaty ceremonial and subsistence harvest, and non-treaty tribal ceremonial and subsistence harvest for eulachon fisheries in the state of Washington.
- Accounts for inventory-controlled items assigned to the sturgeon project and items related to fishery monitoring – includes project resources located at the Pasco field office.
- Assures that adequate facilities, security, and access exists for staff assigned to the Pasco office.
- Provides harvest managers summarized catch data for use in public meetings and website databases.
- Responds to public inquiries about sturgeon and eulachon fisheries and harvest issues in a timely manner.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Working at a desk in front of a computer for most of the workday; however, will be required to work outdoors under potentially inclement conditions.
- Driving/riding in boats, deploying and retrieving setline, gillnet, larval and egg collection gear.
- Handling mostly large fish that are a few to several feet long – heavy lifting and moving items weighing up to 30 lbs. without assistance.
- Work potentially several hours a day sometimes spent driving a pickup truck, sedan, or SUV – this can include towing and launching research vessels over 20 feet in length.
- Performing creel surveys may entail several hours a day walking along highways, boat ramps and riverbanks in the mainstem Columbia River and its tributaries.
Schedule:
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- Work in the office is typically scheduled from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday, however, field work is required and can exceed 40 hours per week, including hours outside of normal schedule and weekends.
Travel Requirements:
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- Travel to field work locations can involve week-long overnight stays, throughout the year.
Tools and Equipment:
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- Twenty-five (25) foot specially equipped sturgeon research vessels, sixteen to twenty (16-20) foot jetboats, hydraulics to deploy research setline and gillnet sampling gear, marine radar and VHF radios, GPS equipment.
- PIT tags, acoustic telemetry transmitters and receivers, knives, hemostats, scale cards, snout labels, CWT wands, PIT tag detectors, measuring tapes, and binoculars.
Customer Interactions:
- Interviewing anglers, collecting data from their fish, answering questions regarding fishery status and fishing regulations.
Other:
- Working in the field and at public outreach events with staff from other (federal, state, and tribal) agencies; collaborating with non-government groups, and volunteers.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
This Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 (In-Training) series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited fish culture experience.
Candidates will be hired as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 or 2, dependent on skills and experience.
Required Qualifications for the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1:
- A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. Twelve semester hours or eighteen quarter hours of specific course work may be required for certain positions.
OR
- Equivalent education/experience.
Required Qualifications for the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 (Goal Class):
- Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science; AND one (1) year of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research or habitat management or habitat research. Twelve semesters or eighteen-quarter hours of specific course work is required for certain positions.
OR
- A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for the required experience.
OR
- One year as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1.
OR
- Equivalent education/experience.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid Driver’s License.
Trainings below can be completed within 6 to 12 months of hire:
- First Aid and CPR
- Motorboat Operator Certification Course or equivalent
- IT Security Awareness
- Sexual Harassment
- Hearing Conservation Testing and Training
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Portable Fire Extinguisher
- Outdoor Heat Exposure
Knowledge of:
- Elements of fish habitats, habits, species, and life histories.
- Principles and procedures of biological research, fish culture, and fish management.
- Standard laboratory and field methods and statistical data processing relating to fisheries work.
- Fishing regulations.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and basic computer file management.
- Familiarity with R statistical software.
Skills and Abilities:
- Writing and speaking clearly and effectively; synthesizing research findings and formulating fish management recommendations.
- Coordinating, leading, or supervising technical or nontechnical volunteers or staff.
- Organizing and scheduling fish research or management studies.
- Applying research and statistical methods and techniques to a project or program.
- Synthesizing research findings and formulating fish management recommendations.
- Gaining cooperation of interested groups or landowners on Department fish management programs.
- Preparing written reports and making oral presentations.
- Recording and compiling research data, using arithmetical and elementary statistical procedures.
- Identifying White Sturgeon, Green Sturgeon, Eulachon, common salmonids, and warm water species of the Columbia River.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with implementing and managing various aspects of the Department’s complex multi-agency sturgeon and eulachon research and monitoring projects.
- Operation of large fish research vessels, jetboats, and other motorboats in the Columbia River, Columbia River tributaries, and Washington coastal waters.
- Knowledge and experience with the following equipment: research vessel, plankton net gear, and laboratory equipment.
- Knowledge of the following sampling procedures: surgical biopsy; surgical implantation of tags; blood draws and sample storage; genetic sample collection and storage; and hard-part sample collection for age analysis.
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 how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14which requires that all employees of all state agencies not headed by an elected official be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. Fully vaccinated includes the two-week waiting period after the last shot in each series, or single shot, is given. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide verification of COVID vaccination. A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here. Vaccination acceptable documents link (Download PDF reader)
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.