Job Title: Permanent Fish Biologist 3 * 05800-17
Opening Date/Time: Mon. 06/26/17 12:00 AM Pacific Time
Closing Date/Time: Wed. 07/05/17 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Salary: $4,208.00 – $5,522.00 Monthly
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, Washington
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

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.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations.  Each day, WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.  WDFW’s employees–field and laboratory biologists, geneticists, research scientists, hatchery professionals, policy experts, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, property acquisition specialists, customer service representatives and others work throughout the state.  WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.  WDFW employees maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands. They interpret, apply and enforce state and federal laws and collaborate with stakeholders to protect fish and wildlife resources.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

This recruitment is for one (1) permanent full-time Fish Biologist 3 in the Fish Program, Puget Sound Shellfish.  The duty station for this position is the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, WA.

This position is responsible for making management recommendations based on scientific studies and population assessments to achieve healthy, diverse, and sustainable shellfish stocks using best science principles that produce professional decisions and build agency credibility.  This position is also a key member of the statewide Shellfish Dive Team, participating in assessments and studies to support management of commercial shellfisheries. Duties and responsibilities link to the agency Fish and Wildlife Goal – Achieve healthy, diverse and sustainable fish and wildlife populations and their supporting habitats; Public Goal – Ensure sustainable fish and wildlife opportunities for social and economic benefit; Competence Goal – Implement processes that produce sound professional decisions, cultivate public involvement and build public confidence and agency credibility; and the Science Goal – Promote development and responsible use of sound and objective science to inform decision-making.
 Duties:
Agency Lead on Commercial Sea Urchin and Sea Cucumber (Dive) Fisheries Management
Tasks include: 
1) Developing and implementing surveys to provide key stock assessment information to inform management recommendations to meet conservation, sustainable harvest, and allocation objectives for subtidal shellfish resources;  2) Analyzing population information and fishery science to improve fishery models for the sea urchin and sea cucumber fisheries; 3) Developing management information for negotiating annual harvest management plans with treaty tribes to comply with the Federal Shellfish Implementation Order (aka Rafeedie Decision); 4) Providing recommendations to resource managers to regulate State commercial sea urchin and sea cucumber fisheries; and 5) Developing legislative proposals and providing analysis of proposed legislation relating to shellfish dive fisheries.

Shellfish Dive Surveys and Studies
Tasks include: 
As a member of the statewide Subtidal Shellfish Dive Team, the person in this position participates in SCUBA stock assessment surveys and biological studies of geoduck clams, pinto abalone, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers throughout the marine waters of Washington.  Fieldwork with other shellfish species may be required, dependent upon project needs.  The person in this position participates in the development and implementation of underwater biological studies to estimate shellfish life history parameters used in management models.  The person in this position performs environmental surveys to assess fishery harvest impacts on related biota (e.g. subtidal eelgrass in the vicinity of commercial geoduck tracts). The person in this position is an alternate vessel operator for the project diving vessel in Puget Sound, San Juan Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca under a wide range of weather and sea conditions.  As a vessel operator, this position is responsible for the safe and proper operation of the vessel, including knowledge of navigational techniques, radio operations, and marine safety equipment.

Shellfish Database Design and Data Analysis
Tasks include: 
The person in this position will design relational databases, tables, queries and reports. The person in this position will enter fishery data into databases, or supervise such entry, and implement quality control to assure data accuracy.  Current fishery information (including quotas, landings, and regulations) for the commercial sea cucumber and sea urchin pages on the Agency website is updated weekly (or on an appropriate schedule when landing effort is low). Fishery updates to managers are made via telephone and email by the person in this position.  This position will provide support for ArcGIS projects and will occasionally develop ArcGIS data summaries and prepare ArcGIS projects.   This position will use appropriate statistics and analysis to prepare written fishery reports to meet management objectives.

Other duties as assigned.
Tasks include: 
Emergent situations may require assignment of duties to meet immediate projects goals and objectives.

Working conditions:
Office work is usually within a 40-hour work week on a Monday through Friday schedule. Field work hours are variable, but usually on a Monday through Thursday schedule, including 3 overnight stays, each week.  Overnight travel is required in remote locations during field work.
This position has significant periods of fieldwork on research vessels that requires a high level of fitness for diving and extended work days. Fieldwork is conducted in various weather conditions and during all times of the year.  Fieldwork is performed from the project research vessel, or an alternate agency vessel, in a wide variety of sea states and water conditions.  Work is also done in a standard office environment.  Regular interaction with commercial fishers is required.

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.
 Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and three years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.  A Master’s degree in an applicable science discipline will substitute one year of the required experience.  A Ph.D. in an applicable science discipline may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Note:  An agency dive position requires documentation of basic scuba certification (5 open water dives, 30 hour course) from a recognized and qualified dive organization (ex. NAUI, PADI, SSI, etc.); at least 15 hours of logged dive time at water depths of 40 feet or greater; and at least 12 logged dives in addition to basic scuba certification, six of which must have been made within the previous 12 months.  Annual WDFW Diver Registration, dive physical and approval to dive by an accreted dive physician, and demonstration of open water dive proficiency are required for incumbent’s continued employment.  Completion of a Basic First Aid and CPR course are required prior to assuming dive duties. Completion and certification in the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) is required to operate agency vessels.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Basic knowledge of marine mechanics is desired.
Basic knowledge of scuba gear maintenance and operation is desired.
 Supplemental Information:
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 preferred qualifications and competencies 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.  Unsupported answers to supplemental questions may also 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.