RESEARCH SCIENTIST 2
Fish Program
 Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Represent WDFW as a statistical and quantitative biological expert on scientific committees of Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC), and work within the WDFW salmon modeling team as a biometrician – providing expertise on issues related to population assessments, salmon modeling, catch and effort estimation, and as needed.

Build an effective and efficient organization by supporting our workforce, improving business processes, and investing in technology.

Be the WDFW Representative for PSC Chinook Technical Committee (CTC), CTC Analytic Workgroup (AWG), Calendar Year Exploitation Rate Workgroup (CYER WG), and Selective Fisheries Evaluation Committee (SFEC).

This is an opportunity to serve as a senior statistical consultant for salmon and steelhead for the WDFW modeling unit, policy leads, and statewide biologists.

In this dynamic role, you will estimate fishery impacts on salmon stocks occurring along the West Coast to support and ensure agency compliance with the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

With your experience, you will develop and apply innovative research methods.

You are excited to work with WDFW technical and policy staff to internally develop technical positions to use in international salmon management forums.

• Complete post-season evaluations of fishery impacts on Chinook stocks.
• Lead WDFW duties related to annual PSC modeling exercises.
• Explore technical issues raised in the PSC and develop new statistical and quantitative methods to solve fishery management questions.
• Compile Washington catch and escapement information for annual reports.
• Develop computer-based applications that improve upon current systems, which may include developing statistical programs, report automation programs, graphic automation programs, and/or mathematical output summary programs.
• Review proposals for mark-selective fisheries along the West Coast (Oregon through Alaska), potentially offering technical and fisheries advice on the proposals.
• Develop analytical methods to fulfill the 2019 Pacific Salmon Treaty agreement between the United States and Canada.
• Develop algorithms to accurately portray mark-selective fishery impacts along the West Coast.
• Serve as an agency expert on the development of exploitation rates to rebuild endangered salmon and steelhead stocks in Washington State.
• Ensure that study methodology and analytical techniques are scientifically defensible.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work will be done primarily in office space at the duty station.
• Schedule:
  1. Full-time 40-hour per week. Monday through Friday. Compensation for extra hours will be normally through flex-time, but exchange time may also be granted.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Frequent travel for PSC committees, typically 10-12 4-5-day meetings per year.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Personal Computer and statistical software.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. This position will interact with internal technical and policy staff regularly, and with constituents rarely, to lead modeling tasks and ensure a thorough understanding of the international modeling process.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

And

Please note: A Ph.D. in statistics, biostatistics, quantitative ecology, or quantitative fisheries may substitute for 2 years of experience.

License:

Job Knowledge

• Expert in the understanding statistical theory and its application to analytical techniques, experimental design, and field sampling methodology.
• Expert in understanding the use and application of the scientific method to natural resource science and management.
• Expert in understanding quantitative methodology.

Other skills and abilities:

• Ability to operate effectively for extended periods of time with little or no supervision in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to lead technical work groups to achieve objectives on schedule.
• Proficiency in writing and reviewing scientific reports.
• Proficiency in effectively communicating (in writing and verbally) technical information and analytical results to fisheries managers policy makers, fisheries scientists, and stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with other agencies on potentially contentious natural resource management issues.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Proficiency in using computer programming languages to develop statistical models and applications (R and Visual Studio experience preferred).
• Experience in fisheries stock recruit relationships and population dynamics.
• Familiarity with salmon and steelhead life histories.
• Knowledge of commercial and sport fishing regulations, methods, and gear.
• Experience using Microsoft computer programs such as Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Comfortability using database systems (e.g., Microsoft Access) to retrieve data used in analyses (e.g., using SQL queries and/or R).

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.

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 (A generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

Apply here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3843967/research-scientist-2-biometrician-permanent-17729-22

IMPORTANT NOTES: 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

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• The subject line should include the 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.  
• The subject line should include the 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, and are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, the 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.

Apply here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3843967/research-scientist-2-biometrician-permanent-17729-22