12-month Full-time Non-permanent

Fishery Biologist 2 – #05288-21

Fish Program – Fish Management Division – District 11

1111 Washington St, SE

Olympia, WA   98501

Anticipated start date is June 23, 2021

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.

The best suited candidate has strong work ethic, the ability to take initiative, work independently, and has excellent inter-personal communication and relationship skills.

Working under the general supervision of F&W Biologist 4, this position leads fishery monitoring on the Puyallup and Nisqually Rivers and the operation of the adult salmonid trap on the Nisqually River to monitor adult salmon and steelhead populations and collect biological data on adults. The biologist will implement adult trapping and handling protocols and supervise ST-2 technicians operating the trap.

This position leads the Nisqually River and the Puyallup River creel surveys for recreational salmon fisheries and directs and supervises up to six ST-2 technicians. The biologist will implement creel surveys for both drainages with the help of regional staff and biometricians. The employee is responsible for timely data management, summarization, analysis, and report writing for statistical creel surveys and adult trapping data in District 11. In addition, this position participates in sampling and field studies that collect biological data in support of fisheries management.

These duties are closely linked to WDFW’s mission and goals to preserve and protect wild fish while providing sustainable recreational opportunities. The position will support the agency mission by independently implementing biological assessments, studies, and research for freshwater and anadromous fish management activities.

*Data collection (Photo credit: Gabe Madel)

KEY DUTIES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:  

Lead the adult salmon and steelhead trapping operations at the Centralia Diversion on the Nisqually River. 

Tasks include: 

• Independently implements predeveloped adult trapping and handling protocols and supervise staff that operate the adult trap on the Nisqually River to document annual abundance of salmon and steelhead spawning populations.
• Trapping and handling protocol execution. Participates in trap operations and field data collection. Provide analysis in final written (agency publications and/or peer reviewed publications) and oral format to agency staff, managers, and others.
• Remain current on the latest peer reviewed publications regarding new methodologies for salmon and steelhead fishery monitoring and trapping methodologies.

Implements the creel survey study design. Supervises and leads creel staff in sampling recreational fisheries for salmon in the Nisqually River and Puyallup River to estimate sport catch. 

Tasks include: 

• Data management and project reporting: Primary responsibility is to ensure data collected adhere to study design and the highest standards of scientific integrity. Participates in sampling and field data collection
• Schedules and directs ST-2 field staff and coordinates creel data management tasks including data entry and data quality control procedures; assists the database manager.
• Implements the spatial and temporal creel design
• Ensures that data entry and quality control procedures are accomplished on schedule. -Performs routine audits of data to ensure data accuracy; corrects errors.
• Prepares data summaries, data tables, charts and figures for reports.
• Prepares and completes reports for annual publications for the Agency and DJ Reports.
• Provides accurate data to the lead biologist for updating annual forecasting and harvest management models.

Anadromous stock assessment surveys 

Tasks include: 

• Assist regional staff with spawning ground surveys for salmon and steelhead to collect biological data used for escapement estimates, population monitoring, run timing estimates, spatial and temporal distribution, etc.
• Independently walk or float long sections of streams and rivers in South Puget Sound to collect biological data from salmon and steelhead, count live/dead adults, georeference and count redds, and collect other stock assessment data

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work Setting, including hazards:   

• Fieldwork is often done in inclement weather.
• Much of the work associated with this position is conducted in remote locations, on unstable ground or moving water, and includes numerous potential hazards. These include the potential for trips and falls, water hazards, and problems associated with operating a moving vehicle, motorboat, raft and pontoons and riding in helicopters.
• Duties require employee to survey long distances independently in streams and rivers on foot, rafts, or pontoon boats for long hours which can result in fatigue. The biologist counts and interviews anglers at a variety of popular sport fishing boat launch sites and access areas along the rivers.
• Contacting anglers requires short hikes to fishing areas or driving to creel locations via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel along streams

 Schedule:   

• Standard work week includes working from 8 am to 5 pm (40 hours/week) There is often a need for a flexible work schedule that includes weekends and longer than 8 hours per day.
• A 50:50 position split between an office working environment and scheduled field work.

 Travel Requirements: 

• Travel and overnight stay are infrequent but required occasionally.
• Considerable driving is required via state, federal, and county roads, as well as local travel on private (logging) roads.

 Customer Interactions:

 Certification and License:

Required Qualifications:

NOTE: A Master’s degree in science (MS) may be substituted for one year of required experience and PhD may be substituted for two years of required experience

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the fish species present in the watersheds, their spawning behavior and general life histories, fishery management methods, and familiarity with the geography of the area waters is key to the success in this job.
• Experience working with recreational anglers and guides preferred.
• Experience creating, organizing and querying databases (Access and Excel).
• Experience conducting spawning ground surveys over long distances on foot, rafts, and pontoon boats.
• Experience operating rafts and pontoon boats in white water.

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: 

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.  Many of our staff are currently working from home; we have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.

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:

• 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.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and 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.

*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks)

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.

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