FULL-TIME-NON-PERMANENT

16-month – Scientific Technician 2 *02861-21

Wildlife Program – Diversity Section – Region 2 

1550 Alder St, NW

Ephrata, WA 98823

Anticipated state date is May 3, 2021 through August 31, 2022. 

Thrive on building collaboration and teamwork while getting your boots dirty working in the field.

If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for you then apply today and join the WDFW Team!  

The optimal candidate, takes pride in their work, is motivated, dependable, and hard working.

We are seeking a team player, who respects and values the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.  

The primary role of this position will contribute to essential tasks involved for the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit Recovery Project, one of the largest endangered species reintroductions in Washington State.   Under the supervision of the project coordinator, this position will assist in efforts to maintain a semi-wild adult breeding population, translocation of rabbits into wild to establish self-sustaining populations, conduct field surveys to determine survivorship, abundance, and distribution of free-ranging pygmy rabbits, collects biological samples and data in support of on-going research efforts (genetic analysis and disease monitoring), serves as occasional field crew leader, and contributes to adaptive management of the project.

Animal capture and translocations 

Tasks include: 

• Captures/traps animals within breeding enclosures or wild, collects biological samples and data, then translocating them to established release sites.
• Provides direction to interns and volunteers during capture events
• Maintains and organizes capture equipment and supplies

Field Surveys

Tasks include: 

• Performs field surveys for pygmy rabbit burrows on recovery areas, following established protocols, often during winter conditions.
• Provides direction to interns and volunteers during field surveys
• Collects biological samples for ongoing research (genetics, disease monitoring).
• Game camera deployment and monitoring
• Shrubsteppe habitat assessment

Data Management

Tasks include: 

• Organizes, enters, and edits field data in spreadsheets and databases (Excel and Access)
• Enters and manipulates spatial data with use of GPS units and GIS software (ArcGIS, ArcOnline, Survey123 mobile app)
• Summarizes data
• Literature review/research
• Maintains records of volunteer efforts and daily activity logs

Infrastructure maintenance and animal husbandry

Tasks include: 

• Construction or repair of breeding enclosures, release pens, artificial burrows, and capture apparatuses with use of hand tools
• Disease monitoring: sample collection and preparation, microscopy analysis, data recording following protocols, and medicinal treatment
• Provides supplemental feed

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work setting including hazards:

• Mostly outdoor (60% of time), with temperature/weather extremes (below freezing/snow in winter to 90+ degrees during summer.
• Fieldwork includes heavy lifting (up to 40lbs), walking up to 10 miles a day in rough terrain, and bending/stooping.

 Schedule: 

Travel Requirements: 

Tools and Equipment: 

Customer Interactions:

 Certifications/License:

• Graduation from high school or a GED, including one year of high school science.

AND

OR

• Two (2) years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a health or safety professional, biologist, chemist, or zoologist.

Knowledge and experience: 

• Knowledge of wildlife survey techniques.
• Able to collect spatial data with GPS units and utilize GIS software.
• Able to handle remote field conditions, navigation, and strenuous hiking/snowshoeing.
• Experience handling wildlife and biological sample collection.
• Good communication and organizational skills.

Please Note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
• Experience as crew or team leader, comfortable in large groups
• Creative and adaptive problem-solving skills.
• ATV and snowmobile experience.
• Experiencing pit tagging small mammals.

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 detailed cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications for this position.
• A chronological resume
• Respond to all supplemental questions.
• Three professional references.

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

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.

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.

This recruitment is essential to maintain animal husbandry, hatchery operations for fish/animal welfare and associated testing/vet response etc.

*(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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