For more information, please follow this link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3399625/research-scientist-2-salmon-recovery-science-unit-leader-permanent-01282-2

Salary- $67,560.00 – $88,644.00 Annually

Our Salmon Recovery Science (SRS) Unit Leader, 

Designs and implements research studies, constructs models, and performs analysis to identify and prioritize life-stage specific limiting factors preventing population growth of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed salmon and steelhead populations in Eastern Washington.  Tasks include:

•   Develops steelhead and spring Chinook integrated populations models (IPM) to examine factors that influence population viability.

•   Develops fish-habitat relationships for specific life-stages limiting population growth.

•   Designs and implements research studies to collect required data for model inputs.

Serves as supervisor and leader of the Salmon Recovery Science (SRS) Unit.  Tasks include:

• Provides leadership, mentorship, strategic vision, and direction for the unit.
• Builds a comprehensive ESA focused research, monitoring, and evaluation program.
• Establishes priorities and secure funding for the program.
• Ensures science products and outcomes are rigorous and scientifically defensible.
• Manages contracts and budgets according to allotments.

Leads coordination, communication, and reporting of science for salmon recovery in Eastern Washington.  Tasks include:

• Meets with and presents significant results to salmon recovery board members and local elected officials.
• Collaborates with tribal co-managers and regional recovery organizations
• Coordinates salmon recovery science priorities with federal (e.g., USFWS, NOAA) and state agencies.
• Works with lead entities, Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups, land trusts, and other salmon recovery community partners to strengthen external relationships.

Communicates findings and results of work in written and oral formats.  Tasks include:

• Communicates the value and results of the Unit’s work with other scientists and conservation/restoration practitioners from multiple organizations.
• 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.
• Presents study results at local, regional, and national professional meetings.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:    
  1. This position is stationed within Regions 1, 2, or 3.
  2. The incumbent will generally work in an office environment, but work will include periods of field work for data collection.
  3. As part of the field work, the incumbent may work in moving water for extended durations. Walking, floating in rafts, and snorkeling in rivers may occur during surveys. During these surveys, surveyors may walk or swim over slippery and/or unstable rocks, logjams, through and around deep pools, and through thick vegetation.
  4. Exposure to insects, thorny/spiny vegetation, pollen, inclement weather, and cold or hot conditions may be common.
  5. Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, and lifting will be required.
  6. Working in a rural setting, surveyors may encounter hostility or threats from landowners and their pets, and possible wildlife encounters.
• Schedule:   
  1. Generally, the incumbent will work in an office environment on a 5-day, 40 hour/week schedule.
  2. This position also includes periods of field activity and coordination with a broad network of collaborators including those working in the field.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. Sporadic travel, primarily within Eastern Washington.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Standard office equipment.
  2. Field equipment may include electronic data collection devices, smolt traps, PIT tag arrays, telemetry, electroshocking and other common field sampling equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. This position will interact with tribal co-managers, state and regional recovery board staff, and other state and federal scientists.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master’s degree in one of the following:
  1. Wildlife.
  2. Habitat.
  3. Fisheries Science.
  4. Biology.
  5. Zoology
  6. Mathematics with emphasis on animal population biology.
  7. Or closely allied field.

AND

Please note: A doctoral degree in one (1) of the above fields of study will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

OR 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Writing: Demonstrated success in writing peer-reviewed research articles to include three articles published or in press in refereed literature (two articles must be a senior article, the third must be as senior or secondary author).
• Computer coding: Experience coding in and modifying existing code of statistical programming languages and/or platforms, including R.
• Data analysis: Ability to develop and execute analytical approaches to address scientific hypotheses, and ultimately draw conclusions from biological data based on facts and evidence. Experience with descriptive, comparative, and advanced statistical approaches. Ability to design studies to estimate life-stage survival, abundance, or other population parameters (e.g., redd surveys, area-under-the-curve methods, mark-recapture, and others). Understand sampling theory. Knowledge of fish population dynamics. Strong critical thinking skills.
• Organization: Ability to set clear project objectives, develop a work plan and meet deadlines. Proficiency in setting and achieving interim project milestones consistent with long-term research priorities. Ability to plan research expenditures and track budgets.
• Supervision: Experience training personnel, assigning work, evaluating performance, and providing feedback. Commitment to mentorship, creating a positive work environment and fostering a productive team-oriented research culture.
• Field experience: Some experience with fisheries sampling techniques in rivers and streams, including electrofishing, rotary screw traps, redd surveys, PIT tags, angling, snorkeling, rafting, and/or wading.
• Salmonid ecology: Knowledge of salmonid behavior, life history, ecology, and population dynamics.