Field survey activities:

• Assist in a field crew of 2 to 5 surveying off-channel wetlands for fish and amphibians.
• In absence of field crew lead, supervise a crew of 1 to 4 people.
• Hikes off-trail sometimes through dense vegetation up and down steep slopes and through harvested areas or wetlands.
• Drives on logging roads and navigates complex undeveloped road networks.
• Collects data with hand held computers, geographic positioning systems and digital cameras and assists with offloading data in the office.
• Gather, code, classify and enter in to computer applications raw data, whether collected by one’s self, other technicians or biologists, or volunteers.
• Using logic, knowledge of the project area, and established quality control methods, evaluate data for completeness, reasonableness, reliability, accuracy, consistency, and comparability with other data.
• Works closely with private landowners while surveying their property.

Office Tasks:

• Offload field data collection equipment
• Data QA/QC using Excel or other database systems

Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or a GED, including one year of high school science.
Professional*: Two years of experience as either a Scientific Technician 1 or laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
Licenses: Valid Washington State or other state Driver’s License
Competencies: Knowledge, experience, and/or fluency with: principles and procedures of biological research; standard laboratory and field methods; fish, wildlife, and habitat ecology.
Ability to: Think critically; conduct field surveys; collect, record, and compile data meticulously; perform work in a safe manner; work independently and as part of a team; accept supervision and supervise; follow prescribed protocols and procedures; follow oral and written direction; operate field equipment (e.g. geographic positioning system, digital camera, iPad’s) to collect data; develop and maintain positive, productive, respectful working relationships with coworkers and collaborators; show the competence and confidence to make independent judgments in the field about sampling protocols; perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather; tolerance for difficult field conditions including working in recent clear cuts, wetlands and driving on logging roads.
Knowledge of: Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Two years of professional experience conducting field work on an aquatics field crew, preferably in the Pacific Northwest; familiarity with lentic habitats associated with stream systems especially those in alluvial floodplains; knowledge of principles and procedures of biological research; familiarity with the use of iPad’s or other devices for collecting data in the field; experience with Microsoft Word and Excel and familiarity with Windows driven computer programs; ability to encourage and maintain team cohesiveness; ability to act safely and decisively in the field; ability to adapt to challenges in order to complete project objectives.

Experience is based on full time equivalency (i.e., 40 or more hours/week).  Part time work is prorated (e.g., 20 hours/week for 6 years = 3 years of experience).
*College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions
Perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather; tolerance for difficult field conditions including working in recent clear cuts, muddy wetlands, slippery river rocks and driving/navigating on logging roads. While in the field, hiking off-trail through dense vegetation and up and down steep slopes may be required. Field work requires that sometime be spent on hands and knees, also bending and walking or crawling through dense understory, muddy river floodplains, and woody debris. This position can be physically demanding and inclement weather should be expected. The incumbents must be comfortable navigating throughout undeveloped landscapes on foot and through densely vegetated wetlands over downed trees, wood and mud to reach survey locations.

Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP).  As a condition of employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.

How to Apply:
To 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 (please make it succinct)
• Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)

Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification.  E-mailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.

Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/1451584/scientific-technician-2-06048h