Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $61,224.00 – $80,292.00 Annually
Deadline: Nov 21, 2021
See full details at https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-fish–wildlife-research-scientist-1—toxics-monitoring-program—permanent—12721-21-olympia-washington/1747958838
Do you enjoy designing and managing fish and wildlife research studies? Are you wishing to use your scientific expertise and utilize advanced mathematical statistical theory to provide solutions to ecosystem management issues? If so, then apply to become a Fish & Wildlife Research Scientist!
As our Fish & Wildlife Research Scientist, you’ll analyze and report complex ecotoxicological data and conduct research on toxic contaminants in Puget Sound organisms. Using your expertise, you’ll provide science-based recommendations for remediating toxics in the Puget Sound ecosystem.
WDFW’s mission is protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, and recovering sustainable and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities.
With that in mind,
Picture yourself leading scientific research used for developing new ecosystem-health indicators recognized and supported as key tools for recovering Puget Sound ecosystem health.
This is an opportunity for you to design and lead the primary ecotoxicology field and lab research, and analyze data using appropriate statistical models and tests, and communicating results both orally and in written form to a wide range of stakeholders, remediation practitioners, and policy makers.
In this dynamic role you’ll prepare scientific reports and peer-reviewed publications and interpret study outcomes. You must also be able to communicate and report the value and results of your work with other experts and conservation/restoration practitioners from multiple organizations.
The best suited candidate has strong work ethic, the ability to take initiative, work independently, and has excellent inter-personal communication and relationship skills.
Duties
Our Fish & Wildlife Research Scientist 1,
- Designs and evaluates new and existing studies to ensure spatial coverage, sample timing and sizes are sufficient to achieve the statistical outcomes to identify trends in toxics data generated from field studies.
- Examines the design and statistical validity of current and past research studies to ensure statistical rigor and improve science.
- Participates in and oversees field sampling activities.
- Uses appropriate statistical methods and mathematical models to analyze spatial and time trends of contaminant levels, prevalence of toxicopathic diseases, and the occurrence and severity of reproductive impairment in organisms.
- Advises staff on the appropriate use of specialized statistical routines and other methods to advance analysis and publication of all science work products.
- Evaluates and analyzes current and past research data to facilitate improved publication and use of data already collected.
- Writes peer-reviewed publications addressing research findings.
- Writes technical reports, contract-related progress reports, and web content for studies.
- Prepares and delivers oral presentations to stakeholders to communicate recovery and remediation needs identified by research.
- Assists in developing advanced data handling techniques for managing data within the context of a SQL database.
- Manages contracts, budgets, and staffing needed to successfully complete studies.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Work is performed in an office environment but may include periods of field work for data collection and travel to meetings – the office environment is an open cubicle situated in a group of other cubicles.
- Field studies may involve working on boats, or walking along Puget Sound shorelines, sometimes at night or during inclement weather.
- Periodic lifting of heavy objects (e.g., ice-filled coolers) – hazards of field operations may include slipping and falling on boat decks, shoreline rocks, and injury from handling fish and invertebrates possessing spines or claws.
Schedule:
- Typically, work schedule is 5-days, 40 hours per week, with occasional longer days and night-time work during field activities.
Travel Requirements:
- Occasional driving to all areas of Puget Sound for meetings and field work, including overnight stays for up to approximately one week.
Tools and Equipment:
- Nets or other sampling devices.
Customer Interactions:
- Frequent interaction with a wide range of public stakeholders, other scientists, WDFW agency staff, and staff from other state, tribal and local governmental entities.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Master’s degree in statistics, biometrics, ecotoxicology, ecology (or closely allied field) with emphasis on statistical tools required to analyze temporal and spatial data. OR
- A Doctoral degree with a major in statistics, biometrics, ecotoxicology, ecology, or related fields. AND
- Two (2) years of professional experience using statistical or mathematical procedures to analyze spatial and temporal trends, design and conducting ecological research studies, and communicating scientific findings. OR
- Equivalent professional experience may substitute year for year for education requirement if that experience is in statistical or mathematical procedures to analyze spatial and temporal trends, design and conducting ecological research studies, and communicating scientific findings or closely allied field.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Job knowledge and experience with:
- Descriptive, comparative, and advanced statistical and modeling approaches – statistical programming languages and platforms such as R.
- Writing scientific reports and peer-reviewed research articles.
- Evaluating multiple sources of information and the scientific literature to write clear and concise scientific narratives.
- Analyzing non-normal data with appropriate statistical tests (e.g., log-normal, gamma, or binomial distributions), while controlling for unwanted covariates.
- Analytical chemistry and/or environmental toxicology data and the quality assurance needs inherent to this data type.
- Database management working with Microsoft Access, Microsoft Power Apps, and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.
- Spatial analysis using Esri ArcGIS software suite and/or QGIS and georeferenced data.
- Modeling contaminants in food webs and via life cycles to predict population-level contaminant exposure or effects from TBiOS data generated on individuals.
- Puget Sound ecology and organisms, and their exposure to and effects of toxic contaminants.
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 required and preferred qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
On Monday August 9, 2021, Governor Inslee enacted Proclamation 21-14 which requires that all employees of all state agencies not headed by an elected official be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021 as a condition of employment. Fully vaccinated includes the two-week waiting period after the last shot in each series, or single shot, is given. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide verification of COVID vaccination. A list of acceptable documents to provide verification can be reviewed here. Vaccination acceptable documents link (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader)
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
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.
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.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply at Careers.wa.gov: