Aquatic Assessment and Monitoring Team intern
Recruitment #2021-03-9416
One available position
Exempt Position: Non-permanent, Full-time to Part-time
Flexible start date with a 3-12 month duration

Salary Range:
$14.05 to $16.86 per hour – Undergraduate Junior or lower
$14.75 to $18.29 per hour – Undergraduate Senior
$16.22 to $20.60 per hour – Graduate student

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Aquatic Resources  Division. Come and join the Aquatics Assessment and Monitoring Team as a paid intern! This position provides scientific and technical support to the Aquatics Division for the stewardship of all state-owned aquatic lands in collaboration with other Aquatics Division district and headquarters staff and managers. This is an internship position designed to provide a college or recent graduate the opportunity to gain skills and experience beneficial to their future career goals while attracting excellent entry-level staff to DNR and expanding the potential pool of future agency employees.

Responsibilities:
This position, within the Aquatics Assessment and Monitoring Team, provides scientific and technical support to the Aquatics Division for the stewardship of all state-owned aquatic lands, in collaboration with other Aquatics Division district and headquarters staff and managers. The person in this position will:

• Be trained in calibrating, preparing, maintaining, deploying and retrieving autonomous sensors for the Acidification Nearshore Monitoring Network (ANeMoNe), as well as additional sensors and equipment used in field and mesocosm research to investigate the ecology of aquatic ecosystems.
• Participate in field and laboratory work, including conducting surveys.
• Collect, process, manage and archive field data.
• Apply protocols for laboratory analysis.
• Work with DNR Aquatic Reserves Program to support coordination of the community science volunteer program.
• Develop appropriate procedures and protocol documents.
• Assist with making data and information accessible through the DNR Aquatics website and other media.
• Conduct scientific literature reviews in support of AAMT supervisor, division management and district requests.

Required Qualifications: 

• Currently enrolled as a graduate or undergraduate student, (or a program to begin within the year) in environmental science, biology, ecology, natural resource science, or related field.
• Ability to write clear scientific technical reports and resource management guidance.
• Willingness to learn variety of skills on different projects.
• Ability to work in inclement weather, on beach, wading in rivers and lakes, over water on docks and from watercraft.
• Ability to provide technical guidance in a manner accessible to field crew, lab analysts, land managers, stewardship specialists, planners and decision makers.
• Ability to work on uneven terrain in all weather conditions.
• The incumbent in this position is required to travel.
• A licensed driver with two years of driving experience. Employees who drive for state business, whether in a state or privately owned vehicle, are required to possess a valid license and abide by all other driver responsibility requirements.

Our ideal candidate will also have the qualifications listed below:

• Experience in implementing field surveys and experiments, gathering and analyzing data to convey complex scientific information in written and oral presentations.
• Demonstrated experience with various spatial location and Geographic Positioning Systems that work effectively in remote aquatic systems.
• Expertise in using spatially linked geomorphic, hydrologic and benthic survey data.
• Proficient with the use of spatial data collection equipment – real time kinetic or hand-held Global Positioning System.
• Proficient with subaerial sediment collection equipment, data preserving and processing.
• Proficient with collecting discrete water quality samples (surface and at depth).
• Experienced with autonomous sensors for collection of continuous environmental data.
• Experience with operating motor boats.

Location: 
One of the world’s most scenic places, Washington State offers breathtaking discoveries for people who love natural beauty and outdoor recreation, from the Pacific Coast shores to the rugged Cascade Mountains to the rolling hills of the Palouse. Your office will be located in Olympia. For more information on this area visit, http://olympiawa.gov.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, telework (mobile-work) is expected for most office activities. When approved to return, the incumbent is expected to report to their assigned duty station for work activities or may be approved for telework based on DNR’s telework policy.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). 
Our mission is to manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs economically and socially for current and future generations. At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. With nearly 1,500 employees in locations throughout Washington, we manage and protect more than 5 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural and aquatic lands.

DNR provides excellent benefits a few of those include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Work/life balance
• Leadership development opportunities
• Educational aid and career development stipends
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• Opportunities to stretch your professional skills
• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

How to Apply: 
To be considered you must apply online at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.

Application Requirements:

• Attach a letter of interest describing how your experience and qualifications relate to the position profile and the position required, desired and special requirements.
• Attach a resume describing your experience and qualifications.
• Provide three to five professional references – you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include with resume. Professor references will be accepted in lieu of professional.
• An unofficial copy of your transcript.
• Complete all supplemental questions.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and may also be used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

Veteran’s wishing to claim Veteran’s preference please attach a copy of your DD-214, NGB-22 or other verification of military service. Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Persons needing accommodation during the screening process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact DNR Recruiting staff at (360) 522-2500 or (360) 522-0143 or by email at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.  Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington State Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 1-800-833-6388 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

DNR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

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Questions?  Please contact Cinde Donoghue at Cinde.Donoghue@dnr.wa.gov or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov