Here is what you will be doing, 

Serve as the WDFW Statewide Management Unit lead on hydroacoustic monitoring and deployment: 

• Develops acoustic surveys to be used to assess abundance of salmonids in both marine areas and in rivers.  
• Develop analysis protocols for acoustic surveys used to support recreational and commercial fisheries management.  
• The position analyzes and interprets data resulting from those studies, develops conclusions, provides in-season and post-season written and verbal reports, and formulates and prescribes management strategies for the recreational and commercial fisheries in Puget Sound and statewide.  
• Reviews in-season update methodology for salmon related to acoustic based data collection, participates in fishery evaluation and monitoring as necessary, works with Agency and co-management staff providing technical assistance related to in-season decisions to meet management objectives and conservation goals, and provides technical review of annual regional co-management fisheries plans.

Conduct Research, provide scientific leadership and direction for the Fish Program, to enhance the scientific rigor and understanding of Pacific Salmon, environmental and fishery impacts, and provide recommendations to ensure conservation of the resource and sustainability of management: 

• Identify recreational and commercial salmon fishery research and monitoring needs of high priority to the agency and fish management division and develop research objectives, study designs, and oversee/direct teams to implement specific research projects.
• Author and publish research findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals and annual reports.
• Present scientific research in multiple forums including stakeholder/board meetings, fish management forums including North of Falcon, and scientific workshops and conferences.
• Works cooperatively with Puget Sound recreational and commercial management team and constituents in developing and advising on harvest plans, communicating annual fishing plans, and interpreting regulation models and expected fishery impacts in-season and pre-season during the North of Falcon pre-season planning process.   

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Most of the work is conducted in the office (99% of the time), but field work may be conducted on rare occasions if needed.  
  • Field work may include inclement weather, rough water, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, slippery surfaces, fish blood and slime, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, bending, kneeling, lifting (50 lb. max.), working in a confined space, possible encounters with bees, yellow jackets, and other insects. 
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 
• Schedule:
  • Hours of work are generally 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, but seasonal evening and weekend work may be needed
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel will be required (approximately 10-14 days annually) as a NOF team member.  
  • Will need to have a passport or Enhanced Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one for travel to and from Canada.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Agency desktop computer, agency sonars, agency laptop, agency phone, agency vehicles.
  • Field work may include working with raingear, equipment holsters, personal floatation devices, knives, and other equipment around fish.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Regular interaction with the following parties: 
    • WDFW staff and supervisors.
    • Tribal and Northwest Indian Fishery Commission (NWIFC) representatives, including NWIFC biometricians.
    • Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada staff.
    • Pacific Salmon Commission staff. 
    • Canadian First Nations representatives.
    • Commercial fishing industry representatives.
    • Federal fisheries representatives (e.g., from NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service).
    • North of Falcon and Pacific Fishery Management Council representatives.
    • Public constituents.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND

OR

Note: A Doctoral degree in one of the above fields of study will substitute for one year of the required experience. Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE:

• Understanding of biometric/statistical analyses 
• Experience or training in salmon stock assessment, escapement estimation, forecasting, population modeling, fishery sampling, harvest monitoring, harvest modeling etc.  

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must have a passport or Enhanced Driver’s License OR have the ability to obtain one and travel back and forth to Canada.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

Knowledge of:

• Salmon life histories and habitat requirements.
• Puget Sound Salmon Stocks
• Recreational fisheries, gear, and techniques

Experience with:

• ARIS and BioSonics or other split-beam acoustic sonar units
• Using Echoview for acoustic data analysis 
• Developing projects to monitor abundance of salmonids and advising recreational and commercial fisheries
• Applying acoustic data to predictive biological models
• Meeting with stakeholders and tribal biologists in public meetings to develop plans and reach collaborative agreements; analyzing data and providing recommendations to the group.
• Knowledge of both commercial and recreational fisheries monitoring methodology in Puget Sound

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

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: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types. 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA),  and an Employee Assistance Program.

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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must 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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line must 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. 

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 please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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.

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