Some of the specific work you will enjoy doing:

Lead life cycle monitoring of Chinook salmon populations in the NF Lewis River and its tributaries with limited supervisory oversight: 

• Oversee, supervise, and participate in the spawning ground surveys and implementation of mark-recapture sampling of adult Chinook salmon in the NF Lewis River.
• Coordinate and supervise staff responsible for sampling of juvenile fall Chinook salmon in the NF Lewis River.
• Coordinate and supervise staff responsible for weir and ladder trap operations in Cedar Creek, a tributary of the NF Lewis. 
• Review and adaptively update the adult and juvenile Chinook study design protocols for annual monitoring activities. 

Analyze data, prepare written reports and manuscripts, and develop and deliver oral presentations: 

• Generate estimate of abundance and other VSP metrics for NF Lewis River adult Chinook salmon with general direction from supervisor. 
• Generate estimates of abundance and VSP estimates for lower Cowlitz Basin coho salmon and winter steelhead with general direction from Cowlitz Science Lead (RS2).
• Assist with the development of an analytical approach for estimating the abundance of outmigrating NF Lewis River juvenile Chinook salmon and implement annually.
• Develop and propose innovative research initiatives aimed at enhancing our understanding of the long-term resiliency and adaptability of salmonids in the NF Lewis River Basin.

Serve as an Agency representative and technical lead on Lewis and Cowlitz Basin Subcommittees:

• Attend and participate in three Lewis Basin technical sub-committees focused on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), Fish Passage and Re-introduction, and Bull Trout Recovery and one Cowlitz River M&E sub-committee. 
• Assess study designs and results associated with annual monitoring and research activities in the NF Lewis Basin completed by outside agencies.
• Assist with the development and review of upstream and downstream passage facility designs and transport plans as well as the development of contractual agreements for salmonid research and monitoring as part of anadromous salmonid reintroduction into Merwin and Yale Reservoirs. 

Oversee administration of team activities, including supervision of technical staff to achieve project objectives:

• Monitor and inspect work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work. 
• Develop the Performance Development Plan (PDP) for each assigned employee within the unit; create or update position descriptions; monitor and document employee performance; provide ongoing feedback regarding levels of performance and conduct timely and meaningful employee performance evaluations.
• Manage personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc. in a positive manner to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
• Oversees and directs staff/team in the completion of required safety and job-related training.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • This position splits their time between a field and office-based setting at approximately a 1:3 or 1:4 rate, respectively.  
  • Field work occurs year-round though the majority will occur from September through mid-January. Fieldwork is performed under a wide array of weather conditions. Hazards include working around streams/rivers in inclement weather & varying flow conditions. 
  • The incumbent will be expected, with training, to transport, trailer, and operate a jet boat in the NF Lewis River to accomplish adult survey and juvenile seining tasks. 
  • Incumbent will lift 70 lbs. (e.g., pontoon rafts, seine nets, buckets, electrofishing equipment), climb in and out of boats, and walk streams and associated rough terrain (>5 miles per day) under varying environmental conditions (e.g., cold, hot, wet, and slippery). 
  • Much of the field work includes sampling spawned-out salmon carcasses with very strong odors.  
  • As needed, field work may occur at night and alone under the guidelines of the WDFW Working Alone in Remote Locations Policy (Policy# 2001). 
  • Occasionally, the incumbent may be requested to snorkel rivers in cold, fast flowing/whitewater conditions.         
• Schedule:
  • As a standard, this position follows a 40-hour, Monday – Friday, work week with core hours generally from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. However, this position does allow for a flexible schedule, particularly when completing office-based tasks, subject to individual performance as needed to complete field work.         Occasionally, the incumbent is expected to work more than 40 hours per work to complete necessary field and office duties that can include nights, weekends, and holidays. 
  • Excess hours (>40/week) may be eligible for exchange time.
  • Telework and remote work options will be available during field and office seasons respectively, decisions on these options will be based on business needs.
• Travel Requirements:
  • The position is expected to periodically travel throughout Washington and to other states for meetings and special projects.  
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Vehicles, boats (jet and prop driven), pontoon rafts, basic hand tools, knives, CWT wands, electrofisher, CB radios, GPS units & iPads.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interactions with the public while working in the field and landowner contacts and with partners while participating in technical forums and meetings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.

Or

A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Note: A master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute one year of the required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Acquire and maintain a valid first-aid and CPR training card within 6 months of the hire date.
• Complete a boating safety class (MOCC or equivalent) within 12 months of the hire date or availability.
• WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within?6 months of hire date and renewal expected annually.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

EXPERIENCE

• Experience transporting, trailering, and operating motor-powered boats (preferably on rivers)
• Experience conducting statistical analysis and familiarity with associated computer programs/languages (e.g., R) 
• Experience with relational databases, including use of Microsoft Access and/or PostgreSQL.

KNOWLEDGE

• Working knowledge of fish biology and fish management principles
• Working knowledge of adult and juvenile population assessment methods
• Working knowledge of fish collection, handling, sampling, and tagging techniques and procedures 
• Familiarity with salmon and steelhead ecology
• Knowledge of salmon and steelhead populations within the lower Columbia River basin
• Ability to identify common native and non-native species of the lower Columbia River basin.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated skill for planning and managing projects and programs, including the ability to lead teams and facilitate others in researching and gathering information.
• Demonstrated skill for effective verbal and written communication to facilitate the decision processes of technical workgroups.

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 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 Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types. 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA),  and an Employee Assistance Program.

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 diana.humes@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 diana.humes@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.  

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@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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