Job: Aquatic Invasive Species Research Scientist, Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (Olympia, WA) |

Salary– $61,224.00 – $80,292.00 Annually

Serves as the lead scientist for EGC research, assist in programmatic oversight, leadership, and direction. Tasks include:

Identifies research needs, plans, and conducts original research and priorities research to address questions important to EGC management.
Provides experimental design, statistical, data management, and scientific methodology guidance regarding EGC management.
Actively seeks and supports collaboration with government entities, tribes, and private sectors management of EGC.
Develops and analyzes EGC population information to model stock assessments.
Develops control and eradication recommendations.
With AIS Unit Manager and Project Lead, supports development and analysis of legislative proposals and agency rules relating to AIS management.
Presents research results at conferences and public meetings with stakeholders.

Develops and implements EGC state management plan. Tasks include:

In collaboration with government entities, tribes, and private sector develops and implements EGC state management plan.
Presents state management plan at conferences and public meetings with stakeholders.
With the Project , determines and implements annual fieldwork priorities critical to the EGC management.
Serves as a vessel operator, responsible for the safe and proper operation of the vessel, including knowledge of navigational techniques, radio operations, and marine safety equipment.

Supervises and mentors staff. Tasks include:

Supervises and mentors staff to support an effective motivated team.
Sets goals and objectives, develops strategies to implement, and develops performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and program

Ensures performance objectives are met. Tasks include:

Monitors and inspects work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work.
Develops the Performance Development Plan for each assigned employee within the unit.
Manages personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc. in a positive manner for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
Develops and implements staff training and development plans to provide cross training of employees.
Participates in team meetings, communicates status of ongoing projects, and coordinates work schedules with team for the purpose of maintaining open communication.
Plans and maintains work systems, procedures, and policies that enable and encourage the optimum performance of its people and other resources within the unit.
Develops other high-priority AIS state management plans.
Assists in emergency AIS rapid responses.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:
1. Work is conducted approximately 30% in the field and 70% in office. Fieldwork is physically demanding and requires hiking up to ten (10) miles per day and carrying up to seventy-five (75) lbs. throughout marine environments during inclement weather, year-round.
2. Work is usually part of a team, sometimes independently, in remote locations, during the day and night.
Schedule:
1. Office work is Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week. Fieldwork hours are more variable and may include weekends and holidays, sometimes exceeding 40 hours per week.
Travel Requirements:
1. Overnight travel up to five days may be required in remote locations during fieldwork.
Tools and Equipment:
1. Desktops, laptops, smart phones, electronic tablets, electronic software forms, Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs), hip boots, Xtratufs (boots), raingear, complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices.
2. Must safely transport and operate large equipment, including up to a 25-foot cargo trailer, watercraft, flatbed trailer, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered pressure washers.
Customer Interactions:
1. Interacts with the public on a regular basis conducting outreach and educational events, presentations, and monitoring. Occasionally dealing with conflict when delivering agency information.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Closely qualifying experience may substitute year-for-year for education.

A Doctoral degree with a major 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.

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 (2) years of professional experience designing statistical or mathematical research in population biology or population management or designing and conducting wildlife, habitat, or fish-related research studies, in addition to two articles published or in press refereed literature, (one article must be as senior author, the second article must be as senior or secondary author.)

Licenses:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A Doctoral degree with a major 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 fisheries management.
Demonstrated decision-making, communication, leadership, and planning abilities.

Knowledge of:

Marine ecosystems, population dynamics, statistical theory and analytical procedures, yield modeling of marine animal populations targeted for harvest, experimental design, and computer proficiency.
Safe use of research tools in the marine environment, safe scuba diving procedures, and safe operation of vessels in marine waters of Puget Sound.

MES Weekly