Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Technician – Scientific Technician 2 – Non-Permanent – *08705-24
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Salary: $3,477.00 – $4,632.00 Monthly
Location: Stevens County – Colville, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 3.5 Months – August 19, 2024 – November 30, 2024
Job Number: 2024-08705
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 07/29/2024
Closing Date: 08/12/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Category: Public Relations / Public Safety / Natural Resources / Animal Services / Research / Sciences / Green-Collar/Environmental / Wildlife
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Description
- Title- Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 3.5 Months – August 19, 2024 – November 30, 2024
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Science Division
Duty Station- Colville, Washington – Stevens County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
CWD check station – Photo Credit: WDFW
Are you passionate about the outdoors and wanting to gain hands-on field experience?
This is an opportunity to engage with the public and provide important environmental work by sampling for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in eastern Washington’s deer and elk populations.
You are excited to work collaboratively with WDFW staff to collect chronic wasting disease (CWD) samples from hunter harvested and road-killed deer and elk.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will,
Collecting, organizing, and shipping biological samples.- Work collaboratively with WDFW staff to collect CWD samples at hunter check-stations, from taxidermists and meat processors, at drop-off locations with sample collection receptacles, and opportunistically from road-killed deer and elk.
- Collect medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes and obex using knives, scalpels, forceps, and other appropriate biological sampling tools.
- Assist with training of staff and volunteers on proper collection, labeling, preservation, and shipping of biological samples.
- Manage biological samples including proper organization, storage, and shipment to approved labs.
- Organize and enter data in a timely manner using ArcGIS Survey123 and associated web-based platforms, i.e. ArcGIS WebMaps.
- Perform routine reviews of data to ensure data quality.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: The work is primarily field-based collecting samples, sometimes in inclement weather. Occasional laboratory or office work to organize and ship samples, or to manage data. Job will require handling biohazardous waste and contaminated sharps.
Schedule: 40 hours per week, days of the week will vary and is dependent upon sampling needs. Working on weekend or more than 8 hours per day is required.
Travel requirements: Travel in and around the CWD surveillance units collecting samples from hunters, taxidermists, meat processors, along roadways, head collection sites, and carcass disposal sites. Some travel across eastern Washington as needed to collect CWD samples from outside the designated duty station. Some overnight travel and lodging provided at different duty stations.
- Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two (2) years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.
Or
Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, zoologist, or veterinarian.
College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute year-for-year for experience, provided the course work includes at least 6 semester hours or 9 quarter hours of natural science classes.
Experience with:
- Collecting data according to established protocols and make independent judgements in the field in the absence of the supervisor.
- Using standard laboratory and field equipment.
- Performing a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather and difficult field conditions.
- Performing work in a safe manner.
- Following oral and written directions, prescribed protocols, and procedures.
- Operating field equipment and devices to collect data.
- Microsoft Word.
- Microsoft Excel.
License: Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
Experience with:
- Biological data collection and research studies on free-ranging cervids and/or wildlife diseases. Specifically, knowledge of chronic wasting disease epidemiology, ecology, and management.
- Collecting, processing, storing, and shipping diagnostic specimens.
- Smart Forms such as ArcGIS Survey123.
- Conducting disease surveillance, collect, record, and compile data.
- Recognize common disease conditions of animals. Ability to recognize clinical signs and gross lesions associated with CWD.
- Serve as both the regulator and as a non-regulatory technical expert on fish and wildlife issues. Being tactful and sensitive when dealing with people with strongly held opposing viewpoints and when addressing “politically sensitive” matters are very important qualities for this position.
- Principles and procedures of biological research.
- Standard laboratory and field methods.
- Wildlife and disease ecology.
- Identification of wildlife species.
- General understanding of names and functions of principal organs of vertebrates. Specifically, able to identify tissues collected for CWD surveillance and testing.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application.
- An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.
Supplemental information:
In addition to payand other special employee programs, there are other benefitsthat WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
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
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.
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and spouses of active-duty military personnel who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:
- Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
- Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
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.
Technical Difficulties: 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.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to cheri.weld@dfw.wa.govand reference job #2024-08705.
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