Salary: $58,704.00 – $78,900.00 Annually
Location: Snohomish County – Other, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job Number: 2023-02934
Closing: 3/27/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Fish Program – Intergovernmental Salmon Management Division
Mill Creek, Washington is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, other duty stations may be considered.
This recruitment is posted until March 27, 2023 – the first review of applications will take place on March 13, 2023. We encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time when a selection has been made.
Lead hydroacoustic-based monitoring studies of salmon and steelhead in Puget Sound marine and freshwater areas to provide supplementary abundance estimates that support fish management!
As a senior biologist, provide analysis and interpretation of data that has a direct impact on key fish program decisions and processes.
Picture yourself planning, developing, and leading hydroacoustic projects in Puget Sound marine areas and rivers to enumerate fish abundance and migration patterns.
This is an opportunity to provide the analysis, assessment, and interpretation of results in final reports to estimate or predict stock abundance using statistical methods.
In this dynamic role you will coordinate hydroacoustic-based field operations, review hydroacoustic data, and sample fish via hook and line, tangle netting, seining, electrofishing, and other fish collection techniques.
We are seeking candidates who can work independently, respect and value the opinions of others, and create an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.
Duties
Our Hydroacoustic Monitoring Fish Biologist plans, develops, and designs hydroacoustic-based biological studies with a focus on determining fish abundance, species composition, and fish migration patterns in Puget Sound marine areas and rivers:
- Writes field protocols, prioritizes, plans, coordinates field operations, adjusting assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels.
- Maintains and modifies field equipment, including acoustic platforms such as split-beam mobile systems and multibeam acoustic cameras, to ensure it is functioning as much as possible.
- Oversees daily review of hydroacoustic data, ensuring appropriate data are recorded and stored.
- Identifies suitable field sites by conducting stream surveys on foot and/or by raft following safety protocols.
- Obtains permits and/or permission for land access to work on private and public property.
- Provides technical consultation to landowners, businesses, agency personnel, and others on hydroacoustic-related issues and consults with other agencies, organizations, tribal entities, and governmental units.
Provides analysis, assessment, and interpretation of the results and preparation of final written reports that have a direct impact on key program decisions and fish management processes:
- Manages and maintains project databases, data QA/QC.
- Applies statistical principles, hydroacoustic data processing software, and ecological framework to describe fish abundance, species composition, fish migration timing, movement, and distribution patterns.
- Serves as Department representative at meetings to present study results as oral presentations and provides information to media.
Purchases and maintains assigned inventory, field gear, and equipment:
- Independently procures equipment and supplies to complete work activities.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Approximately 40% field and 60% office (telework eligible for up to 80% of the office work).
- Field work is performed in all weather conditions, from dry and hot to extreme cold and snow – it includes operating small watercraft, walking over rough terrain in varying environmental conditions both in and out of moving water long distances while carrying gear.
- Adult sampling involves standing, bending, and frequently lifting heavy loads (20-50 pounds). Hazards include strains, sprains, breaks, scratches, lacerations, infections, animal encounters, and drowning.
- Primarily field work is performed in rivers and streams walking up to 10 miles in rugged terrain in and out of the water, floating in rafts or operating motorized boats in variable flow and weather conditions.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations and may operate motorized or non-motorized (i.e., kayaks, inflatable pontoon boats) watercraft depending on experience.
- Requires driving and hiking into remote areas on private and public timberlands.
- Frequent bending, kneeling, climbing, and lifting required.
- Walking along streams or uneven ground over slick boulders, wading riffles, and maneuvering watercraft can require moderate strength and agility.
- Position also requires working in an office setting to perform data QA/QC, data management, data analysis, and report writing.
- Schedule:
- Schedule will typically be 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Night, weekend, and holiday hours will at times be required.
- Must be able to work highly unpredictable and irregular schedules at times to respond to emergencies.
- Hours over 40 per week will accrue as exchange time.
- Travel Requirements:
- Daily travel occurs from the office to sampling sites with WDFW vehicles.
- Some local and regional travel is necessary to pick up sampling gear and attend trainings.
- Overnight travel is rare but may occur to attend workshops and conferences.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Desktops, laptops, smart phones, acoustic gear, global positioning units, electronic tablets, electronic software forms, temperature loggers, field gear (i.e., waders, raingear, sunglasses), fish sampling equipment (e.g., hook and line, tangle-net, seine net), tools (hand and power), serrated knife, Coded Wire Tag (CWT)/ Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) wands, wading staff, and life jacket. Cargo trailer, watercrafts, winches, motor vehicles.
- Customer Interactions:
- This position will interact with tribal co-managers, state, and federal biologists, researchers, and the public when conducting fieldwork.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
AND
- Three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
OR
- Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.
Please Note:
- A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute one (1) year of the required experience.
- A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
- Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid Driver’s License.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s Degree, or a higher-level degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science in a related field.
- Five (5) or more years of experience in a natural resources-related field.
- Five (5) or more years of experience assessing adult salmon and steelhead populations.
- Three (3) years of experience directly supervising and directing subordinate staff.
- Knowledge of appropriate scientific methods and tools to conduct analysis.
- Quantitative modeling skills.
Proficient in:
- Microsoft Office (i.e., Access, Teams, Excel, PowerApps).
- R and GIS software applications.
- Working with large datasets.
Experience:
- Setting up and deploying scientific echosounders or other scientific acoustic gear.
- With hydroacoustic data analysis.
- Capturing and handling adult fish.
- Rowing catarafts (pontoon boats), rafts, or drift boats in streams and rivers.
- Handling and maneuvering watercraft on trailers.
Certification & Trainings:
- WDFW Motorboat Operator Certified.
- CPR/First Aid/AED Certified.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.
-
First Aid/CPR certified, if not currently certified, certification must be obtained within six (6) months of hire. (Certification can be obtained through WDFW).
To Apply
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.
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
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.
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.
