FULL-TIME/PERMANENT

EUROPEAN GREEN CRAB REGIONAL BIOLOGIST

FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2

Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species Unit

Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

This position may be eligible for telework.   The default assigned work location of all WDFW positions – both on-site and telework-eligible positions – are within the State of Washington.  Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.

Do you have a passion to monitor and combat invasive species?   Are you familiar with the European Green Crab (EGC) issues currently facing Washington State?

This journey-level biologist conducts professional biological studies involving early detection, monitoring, research, and removal of AIS, specifically targeting European Green Crab.

European green crab grid trapping effort – Photo Credit: WDFW

In this dynamic role you will work to prevent the introduction of new priority AIS, to rapidly respond to new AIS detections, and to contain, control, or eradicate established priority AIS.

You are excited to collaborate with intrastate, interstate, national, and international forums on AIS issues to build partnerships with citizens, regulated industry, and local, state, federal, and tribal governments.

We are seeking a candidate to organize and conduct surveys to determine relative abundance, distribution, and population trends of EGC.

Here are some things you will be doing in this role,

• Trains staff to properly conduct EGC monitoring using established protocols.
• Organizes and conducts early detection, monitoring, assessments, rapid responses, control/removal, and research trapping efforts for EGC throughout marine intertidal and subtidal habitats using established procedures.
• Organizes and conducts intensive EGC removal trapping efforts in coordination with federal, state, local, tribal governments, stakeholders, and volunteers.
• Participates in EGC technical working group meetings providing regional expertise, advice and support under direct supervision.

• Supervises Scientific Technicians in conducting EGC field efforts throughout marine waters of Washington.
• Supervises and mentors staff in order to support an effective motivated team.
• Responsible for planning and maintaining work systems, procedures, and policies that enable and encourage the optimum performance of people and other resources within the unit.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Approximately 80% field and 20% office. 
  • Hike 2 to 3 miles per day, carrying up to a 50-pound dry bag or frame pack throughout Washington’s marine environments including but not limited to intertidal habitats such as marshes, channels, and mudflats. Potential hazards include uneven terrain, stinging vegetation and insects, biting and pinching animals, and possible encounters with wildlife.
  • Usually part of a team, sometimes working independently, in remote locations (following strict call in and out procedures), during inclement weather, day and night.
  • May operate motorized (i.e. airboats, <26’ aluminum boats, rigid inflatables) and non-motorized (e.g. kayaks, inflatables, canoes) watercrafts depending on experience.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Workweek will typically be the first 40 hours of work per week (24/7).
  • May be required to occasionally exceed these hours, work outside of normal workweek during holidays and weekends, and respond on short notice to rapid response AIS emergencies.
• Travel Requirements:
  • This position requires frequent statewide travel and overnight stays up to five (5) days at times.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Desktops, laptops, smart phones, electronic tablets, electronic software forms, PFDs, and field gear (i.e., hip boots, xtratuffs, raingear, dry bag, frame pack).
  • Complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices.
  • Cargo trailers up to 25 feet long, watercrafts, flatbed trailer, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered and hand-pushed pressure washers.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interacts with the public on a regular basis while conducting fieldwork. Occasionally confronted by citizens that are non-compliant or not cooperative. Coordinates regularly with tribal co-managers and works on tribal lands.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

• One (1) year of professional (paid) experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

• Professional equivalent experience in aquatic invasive species, fish, wildlife, or natural resource management may substitute for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for the required experience.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• WA State Boater Education Card (within 1 month of hire).
• First Aid Certification (within 6 months of hire).
• Watercraft Inspection Training Levels I/II (within 6 months of hire).
• Incident Command System (ICS) Training: 100, 200, 700, 800 (virtual) 300 (in-person) (within 12 months of hire).

• Three (3) years of experience in a natural resources-related field.
• One (1) year of experience in the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) field.
• One (1) year of experience managing and monitoring European green crab populations.
• Preparing comprehensive written reports.
• With database construction, management, and routine analysis functions.
• Managing a heavy workload effectively.
• Operating and/or working in and around boats, trailers, etc.
• Towing/trailering boats and/or trailers (i.e. cargo trailers, trailered decontamination units).
• Using handheld data collection devices (i.e. smartphones, iPads, etc.) in the field and entering data using platforms such as iForms, Survey 123, and Quick Capture.
• With Microsoft Office (i.e. Access, Teams, Excel, PowerApps).
• With ESRI products and any other online mapping tools.

• Identify invasive and native crab species.
• Identify species using a taxonomic key or field guide.
• Humanely euthanize invasive species.

• With aquatic invasive species management principles and procedures.
• With and able to develop, implement, and manage statewide biological studies and management actions.

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/listed on your application.

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 agencyand the perksof 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

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 JaymeChase@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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