full job posting (link expires when filled)

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FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
NEARSHORE BIOLOGIST
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2 (IN-TRAINING)

Habitat Program – Science Division

Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Come be our expert in the biology, behavior, ecology, conservation, and management of marine nearshore habitat and species!

Work to address uncertainties in nearshore ecosystems including, forage fish habitat, eelgrass, kelp, and other priority species and habitats.

We are recruiting to hire at the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 or 2 level, and we will train a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 up to the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 level. Depending on which level you are hired at, your monthly salary range will be as follows:
Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 – $3,537.00 – $4,723.00
Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 – $4,282.00 – $5,756.00

 With your experience you will ensure accurate sampling and records collection, maintenance, storage, and analysis.

 This is an opportunity to assist and lead environmental monitoring activities including data collection and management, sample processing, and project management.

 We are seeking a candidate to assist with forage fish survey training for the public and department.

Duties

Here is some of what you will be doing:

 Assist the Nearshore Ecologist and other Science Division staff in data collection and implementation of ecological studies of nearshore habitats and species: 

• Conduct surveys to collect physical, biological, and permit information.

1. Surveys may include, but are not limited to, forage fish egg surveys; nearshore habitat/species characterization (e.g., beach profile, beach wrack, sediment characterization, LWD accumulation), nearshore biological community characterization (e.g. eelgrass, kelp/algae, invertebrates, and fishes), measures of the physical environments (e.g., temperature, salinity, nutrients), and HPA implementation and effectiveness surveys.
2. Assist with and lead project logistics and management.

Perform laboratory and office tasks supporting studies of nearshore habitats and species: 

• Processing, analysis, recording and QA/QC of field-collected samples including forage fish egg detection and identification, sediment grain size composition, invertebrate species identification, submerge aquatic vegetation, and permit information analysis.
• Communicate with internal WDFW and external project partners.

 Assist with regulatory forage fish egg survey trainings and management:

• Demonstrate proper forage fish egg survey methods to training attendees.
• Monitor and respond to forage fish survey report emails.
• Maintain records of reported forage fish egg surveys and approved biologists.

 Perform data management tasks in support of ecological studies of nearshore habitats and species:

• Ensuring that data is collected, processed, and stored accurately and efficiently, prepared and QA/QC conducted for data entry into various new and established databases, and compiled for statistical analysis.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Shared time in a field, office, and lab setting collecting and processing scientific data and samples.
  • Field setting may include adverse environmental conditions (e.g., rain, snow, wind, and heat) where one may be required to carry up to 50 lbs., traverse uneven terrain, and frequently bend, stoop, and climb in and out of boats.
  • Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into a computer, looking at a computer monitor for long periods, and sitting or standing for long periods.
  • Must conduct field studies in potentially adverse conditions (e.g., inclement weather, uneven terrain, 8+ hours).
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday, however field activities may alter this schedule including variable daily hours accumulating to at least 40 hours per week.
  • Position is eligible for partial telework, but attendance of in-person meetings and field work is necessary and the schedule for such events is difficult to predict.
  • Schedule may include overnight trips, extended out-of-town field work and alternative work schedules.
  • Work may include alternative work schedules including early mornings, nights, and weekends, and overnight travel.
• Travel Requirements:
  • This position requires travel throughout Puget Sound and Coastal Washington.
  • Long field days and overnight stays are expected. An agency vehicle is provided for work-related travel.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Operate vehicle while towing a trailer.
  • Standard field and laboratory equipment including GPS units, water quality samplers, sieves, digital devices, shovels, and microscopes.
  • Computers and software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access. Internal and external databases.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interacts (in person, over the phone, and through email) with the public and scientific community to conduct research on public and private lands.
  • Must represent the agency in a professional, well-spoken, and non-confrontational manner.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

 Required Qualifications for the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 level:

Or

  Required Qualifications for the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 (goal class) level:

Or

Please note:

• 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 year of the required experience.

For ALL of the above:

License:

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• Obtain Washington State Boater Education Card within first year of employment.

 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

 Experience in/with:

• One (1) year of experience and knowledge of nearshore marine habitats and species including related field and laboratory work, data tasks, and project management.
• Document review, particularly HPA permits, peer-reviewed literature, and technical reports.
• Field collection of physical and biological data, especially in WA state marine/nearshore or similar environment
• Operation and deployment of field sensors and meters including RTK GPS systems, temperature/conductivity/dissolved oxygen sensors and meters.
• And proficient in processing and analysis of marine beach spawning, i.e. forage fish, and sediment grain size samples desired.
• Research project management including logistics, planning, and communication with partners and collaborators.
• Taking on ad hoc and time-sensitive project tasks and prioritizing workload.
• And proficient in data entry and QA/QC, including data directly collected and that assigned by others.

 Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of and ability to follow general laboratory safety procedures and perform work under both moderate and close supervision.
• Knowledge and ability to safely operate small craft in marine waters during inclement conditions and experience safely using vehicles to transport boats.
• Working knowledge of MS Office, e.g., Word, Excel and Access, R, and ArcGIS applications.

 Ability to:

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively during extended office and laboratory-based tasks.
• Ability to use problem solving and logic to effectively execute project assignments when unforeseen difficulties arise.
• Ability to communicate effectively in words and in writing.

Supplemental Information

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.