Salary: $4,117.00 – $5,399.00 Monthly
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job Number: 2022-17856
Description
EUROPEAN GREEN CRAB REGIONAL BIOLOGIST
FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Program
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Help prevent the introduction of new priority Invasive Species, to rapidly respond to new AIS detections, and to contain, control, or eradicate established priority AIS in Washington. Collaborate with intrastate, interstate, national, and international forums on AIS issues to build partnerships with citizens, regulated industry, and local, state, federal, and tribal governments.
With that in mind,
Picture yourself, conducting professional biological studies involving early detection, monitoring, research, removal of AIS, specifically targeting European Green Crab.
This is an opportunity to balance field and office work to achieve section goals.
In this dynamic role, you will supervise Scientific Technicians who work in the field on Invasive Species projects.
The optimal applicants can identify invasive and native species using a taxonomic key or field guide.
Duties
Our EGC Regional Biologist,
Performs European Green Crab (EGC) Management Actions:
- Trains staff to properly conduct EGC monitoring using established protocols
- Coordinates with agency partners, tribal co-managers, and other entities (i.e. Washington Sea Grant, Northwest Straits Commission, Lummi Nation, Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Pacific County, etc.), conducting EGC work
- Organizes and conducts early detection, monitoring, assessments, rapid responses, control/removal, and research trapping efforts for EGC throughout marine intertidal and subtidal habitats using established procedures
- Organizes and conducts surveys to determine relative abundance, distribution, and population trends of EGC
- Organizes and conducts intensive EGC removal trapping efforts in coordination with federal, state, local, tribal governments, stakeholders and volunteers
- Develops initial reports of data collected and provides recommendations to higher level fish and wildlife staff for management actions
- Maintains records and prepares reports, prepares detailed summary reports, and conducts higher level quality control and quality assurance on all data
- Assists in organization and facilitation of regional EGC technical working group meetings
- Participates in EGC technical working group meetings providing regional expertise, advice and support under direct supervision.
- Conducts quality control and quality assurance on all data collected
Supervises and Mentors Staff:
- Supervises the Scientific Technician 2s in assessments throughout marine waters of Washington
- Supervises Scientific Technician 2s conducting EGC field efforts
- Sets goals and objectives, develops strategies to implement, and develops performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and program performance objectives are met
- 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
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Approximately 80% field and 20% office.
- EGC monitoring is physically demanding, hiking two (2) to three (3) miles per day and carrying up to a 50-pound dry bag or frame pack throughout Washington’s vast marine environments, including but not limited to, intertidal habitats such as marshes, channels, and mudflats. Potential hazards include uneven terrain, stinging vegetation, and insects, biting and pinching animals, and possible encounters with wildlife.
- Usually part of a team, sometimes working independently, in remote locations (following strict call in and out procedures), during inclement weather, day and night.
- May operate motorize (i.e. airboats, <26’ aluminum boats, rigid inflatables) and non-motorized (i.e. kayaks, inflatables, canoes) watercrafts depending on experience.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
- Schedule:
- Workweek will typically be the first 40 hours of work per week (24/7).
- May be required to occasionally exceed these hours, work outside of normal workweek during holidays and weekends, and respond on short notice to rapid response AIS emergencies.
- Travel Requirements:
- Frequent statewide overnight travel up to five days.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Desktops, laptops, smart phones, electronic tablets, electronic software forms, PFDs, and field gear (i.e. hip boots, xtratuffs, raingear, dry bag, frame pack).
- Complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices.
- 25 foot-cargo trailer, watercrafts, flatbed trailer, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered and hand-pushed pressure washers.
- Customer Interactions:
- Interacts with the public on a regular basis while conducting fieldwork. Occasionally confronted by citizens that are non-compliant or not cooperative. Coordinates regularly with tribal co-managers and works on tribal lands.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
- A Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science –AND- one (1) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.
Please note:
- A Master’s degree or Ph. D degree in the applicable science will substitute for one year of the required experience.
- A Ph. D is the applicable science will substitute for two years of the required experience.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
- WA State Boater Education Card (within 1 month of hire)
- First Aid Certification (within 6 months of hire)
- Watercraft Inspection Training Levels I/II (within 6 months of hire)
- Incident Command System (ICS) Training: 100, 200, 700, 800 (virtual) 300 (in-person) (within 6 months of hire)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- MOCC Certification
- CPR/First Aid/AED Certified
Desirable Experience:
- Three (3) years of experience in a natural resources-related field
- One (1) year of experience in the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) field
- One (1) year of experience managing and monitoring European green crab populations
- Preparing comprehensive written reports
- With database construction, management, and routine analysis functions
- Managing a heavy workload effectively
- Operating and/or working in and around boats, trailers, etc.
- Towing/trailering boats and/or trailers (i.e. cargo trailers, trailered decontamination units)
- Using handheld data collection devices (i.e. smartphones, iPads, etc.) in the field and entering data using platforms such as iForms, Survey 123, and Quick Capture
- MS Office (i.e. Access, Teams, Excel, PowerApps)
- ESRI products and any other online mapping tools
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment. You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials – your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor before you will be allowed to work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
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: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
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.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 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.
