• Design long-term monitoring surveys to assess status of and trends in contaminant exposure and effects for indicator species (juvenile Chinook salmon, adult salmonids, Pacific herring and/or English sole). 
• Use detailed knowledge of the life history of an indicator species to decide when and where to sample, and the appropriate statistical power and other models to calculate sample sizes necessary to address testable hypotheses. 
• Manage all aspects of project implementation, including conducting field sampling, staffing projects, data management, and oversight of lab activities in coordination with lab staff.

• Primary responsibility for the analysis and interpretation of contaminant data and associated biometric data from indicator species. 
• Ensure data quality by applying appropriate quality assurance/quality control methods. 
• Use appropriate statistical tools and models including ANOVA, General Linear Model, Multivariate Dimensional Scaling, Principal Component Analysis, and others to test hypotheses generated in study plans.

• Assess the potential damage caused by contaminant exposure to indicator species. Develop recommendations to inform and impact management actions. 
• Write peer-reviewed journal articles and reports and make oral presentations interpreting complex toxicological data for local, state, federal and tribal stakeholders responsible for implementing actions aimed at reducing contamination to recover ecosystem health.

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is primarily conducted in an NRB office and co-located lab facilities. Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time. In the lab the incumbent may stand or sit while performing repetitive, sometimes tedious dissections of fish or invertebrate samples. The incumbent will also work on boats in Puget Sound, sometimes in inclement weather, or over long hours into the night.  Boat work may include conditions that can cause motion sickness. The incumbent may lift objects up to 40 lbs. in weight including sampling equipment, coolers full of samples and ice, and baskets of fish on the deck of a moving boat, as well as deploying and retrieving sampling nets from a boat. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 
• Schedule:
  • Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • May be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet field sampling requirements.
  • A flexible work schedule will be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel is required at infrequent intervals to attend meetings or to conduct fieldwork.  This work requires driving long distances throughout western Washington, sometimes at night.
  • During field surveys, the incumbent may spend up to 5 days away from home on a boat or in motels.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment (e.g., desk, filing cabinet, laptop, printer, smart phone, electronic tablets, copy machine, etc.), lab equipment (e.g., scalpels, syringes, meat grinders), field gear (PFDs, waders, boots, raingear) and field equipment (e.g., small boats and outboard motors, beach seines, lampara seines, etc.).
• Customer Interactions:
  • Frequent contact (likely weekly) with various representatives from local, state, federal agencies, tribes, and non-governmental organizations, as well as the occasional interactions with public (e.g., recreational fishers).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in one or more of the following areas:
  • Ecology.
  • Environmental Chemistry.
  • Toxicology.
  • Natural Resource Science.
  • Closely related field.

• Three (3) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.

• Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for 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.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and?training availability.

• M.Sc. in Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Ecotoxicology, or a closely related field. 

• Designing field studies suitable to assess contaminant exposure and effects in aquatic organisms. 
• Analyzing patterns in the relative abundance of chemicals in tissues and identify time trends of contaminants. 
• Applying statistical tools and models such as ANOVA, General Linear Model, Multivariate Dimensional Scaling, Principal Component Analysis to test hypotheses. 
• Analyzing and managing data using R. 

• Basic ecotoxicological principles relating to TBiOS work activities and goals.  
• Chemical contaminants that commonly occur in Puget Sound biota.
• Detailed knowledge of salmon, herring, English sole, or other Puget Sound biota biology and how life history strategies and habitat selection influence exposure to toxic contaminants. 
• Field capture techniques (e.g., use of nets and other capture devices) and sampling protocols for the collection of clean tissues for contaminant analyses, and other bioassays.
• MS Office (i.e., Access, Teams, Excel, PowerApps).
• ESRI products and other online mapping tools.

• Define research problems and determine extent and type of information needed.
• Initiate, plan and design independent experimental research.
• Write clearly and efficiently for both technical and non-technical readers; communicate complex scientific information orally and in writing to users ranging from scientist-colleagues and Agency staff to interested lay audiences.
• Focus on project outcomes and goals while observing protocols defined in relevant QAPPs and maintain high work standards while completing tedious lab and data procedures.
• Work unsupervised in the office, field, or lab.
• Make prudent judgments regarding when supervisor is needed to make decisions; and maintain contact with supervisor as needed.
• Direct technicians, volunteers, and other biologists in the office, lab, or field.
• Maintain a positive attitude and observe established safety protocols under sometimes stressful field conditions and ensure the same in field staff and volunteers; and organize volunteers for field sampling.
• Manage, track, and perform a number of complex tasks simultaneously; plan and allot time efficiently to manage expectations for several projects simultaneously. 

• WA State Boater Education Card or equivalent.
• MOCC Certification.
• CPR/First Aid/AED Certified.

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 Cheri.Weld@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 Cheri.Weld@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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