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 is a 5-month Career Seasonal Biologist 1 position located in the Fish Program, Region 5
Fish Management.  The duty station is the Ridgefield Region 5 Office, Ridgefield, WA. 98642. The season for this position is February 1 to June 30, 2018 and is 24/7 hourly, non-scheduled.

This is an entry level, full-time, five-month, Biologist 1 position in Region 5.  This position reports to the project Lead and is responsible for implementation of adult steelhead population monitoring programs.  This position will learn and perform professional level duties under direct or close Biologist 3 supervision.  The supervisor will review work in progress, ensure biological studies or projects are adhered to, provide advice or direction regarding prescribed procedures and protocols, and may assist with the work prioritization.  Assignments are focused on specific guidelines or requirements of the studies or projects rather than an overall objective and comprise a portion of a larger assignment carried out by the supervisor of wild-winter, ESA listed, steelhead population assessment.

This entry level Biologist 1 will be involved in scientific surveys and analysis to monitor the VSP parameters of ESA listed wild winter steelhead in thirteen different river basins. They will provide support to higher level fish and wildlife staff by completing on-site surveys to gather and evaluate specific information necessary in formulating population estimates and distribution of wild winter steelhead throughout SW Washington.

Specific Duties:

• Conducts fish monitoring and research under the supervision of a higher level professional position involved in Fish and Wildlife biological studies, research, or field reviews
• Conducts biological research using established procedures for which precedence and patterns have been established
• Summarizes biological data, drafts summary reports of field data, and applies some basic statistical procedures for summary reports
• Participates in sampling programs to provide species composition, life history, abundance, distribution, age, growth, and other basic biological data for resource management purposes Works with higher level biologist(s) to determine and apply techniques and procedures, and/or performs field investigations or research projects, and assists in preparing management/research report segments or proposals based on those activities
• Will supervise or lead assigned personnel in field activities Performs other work as required

Implements, conducts and/or supervises VSP monitoring for wild (natural origin-NOR) Chinook, coho, chum salmon and steelhead populations throughout the Lower Columbia River.
Tasks include:
Assist with the implementation of the ESA LCR monitoring program for Region 5, including: supervising field technicians, implementing various sampling designs, setting up survey reaches, securing landowner permission where necessary for completion of surveys on private property, and conducting stream surveys throughout LCR tributaries. Oversees and participates in the collection of accurate field data. Identifies, enumerates, samples, marks, and tags adult salmonids to complement adult salmonid monitoring efforts. Maintains vehicles and vessels in good working order and ensures staff report any deficiencies and accidents regardless of injury or damage. Ensures staff are following established field protocols.

Implements, conducts and/or supervises data entry, proofing, analysis and database management.
Tasks include:
Enter data into standardized databases (carcass tagging spreadsheets and traps/weirs/surveys (TWS) database)
Oversee the use of electronic data collection media such as I-Pads and other hand-held data collection hardware
Submit scale cards and CWT snouts in a timely manner
Download and submit finalized GPS data from surveys
Work with Lead biologist to ensure survey data is entered, proofed and finalized.

General administrative and fiscal duties
Tasks include:
Completion of Total Time and Leave Request, Purchasing supplies
Assist project lead with the hiring process as necessary

Other Duties as assigned: Assisting with other monitoring projects, data requests, etc. 
Tasks include:
Assist other unit projects as necessary with monitoring activities for all salmonid species.

Working Conditions
Duties will be split between office and field work. This position is a Lead field biologist position that oversees up to five (5) scientific technicians. The percentage of time spent in each is highly variable depending on field seasons, staffing needs, and project objectives.
 
Fieldwork is performed under a wide array of weather conditions.  Hazards include: working around streams/rivers in varying weather & flow conditions and slippery and uneven ground.  Must have the ability to lift up to 70 pounds, walk streams up to 6 miles per day under cold, wet slippery conditions and climbing up and down steep and slippery stream banks on a regular basis. Be able to climb in and out of boats. Must possess a valid driver’s license (driving record abstract may be requested at any time)
 
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

Whitewater rowing experience in non-motorized, single-person, pontoon/cataraft vessels in Class III whitewater
Must be able to clearly differentiate and identify the 6 major species of salmonids both live in-situ and as post-spawn carcasses; must include Chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, pink salmon and steelhead.
Must be able to clearly differentiate and identify redds of the 4 major species of salmonids of the Lower Columbia River system; must include Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead
 
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
Project Lead status and supervisory experience with diverse work crews in remote locations;
Spreadsheet and database management;
Extensive data entry and QA/QC. 
Advanced knowledge of salmonid life cycles as well as being able to identify to all species of salmon known to exist in the Columbia River system in various conditions such as salt water phase and decaying carcasses.
Advanced skills in rowing non-motorized vessels in white water conditions up to and including class 3 whitewater.
Have direct supervisory experience over field crews performing VSP monitoring surveys for ESA listed salmonids in S.W. Washington
Medium level skills using Access databases for data entry, storage, summary, and report development.
 
JOB KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:
Knowledge of principles and procedures of biological research, basic methods of problem solving, research  methods, logic and grammar
Knowledge of the Agency’s purposes, objectives and activities; food and habitats of fish and wildlife species: standard laboratory and field methods
Knowledge of statistical techniques and population measurement techniques for fish and wildlife
Ability to use standard laboratory and field equipment  
Ability to reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations
Ability to gather and analyze data, apply standard statistical techniques in analysis of research data, and communicate effectively and perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather.
Knowledge of adult and juvenile salmonid identification and salmonid redd identification
Knowledge of principles and procedures of biological research, basic methods of problem solving, research methods, logic and grammar
Knowledge of salmonid life histories.
Knowledge of safe fish collection, handling, sampling, and tagging techniques and procedures, including the use of fish anesthesia. In particular, this position must have knowledge of the application of Floy tags,
Petersen discs, Opercle tags and punches.
Knowledge of salmonid population monitoring (adult and juvenile) techniques and methodologies. Ability to collect high quality biological data in a variety of environmental conditions.
Proficient in the use of MS Word, Excel and Access.
Physical or environmental requirements

1. Lift, carry and load equipment up to 70 lbs on a regular basis (i.e. pontoon rafts, seine nets, buckets, electrofishing equipment, field gear etc.)
2. Walk in and along streams up to 6 miles per day under all weather conditions, including climbing up and down steep and slippery stream banks.
3. Ability to operate pontoon rafts/boats in rivers with fast flowing/whitewater conditions under all weather conditions covering up to 15 miles per day in less than or equal to Class Ill whitewater.
4. Ability to snorkel in rivers with fast flowing/whitewater conditions under all weather conditions

Mental requirements

1. Professional Behavior – Ability to maintain a calm demeanor when interacting with WDFW staff, the public, personnel from other state agencies, and local landowners.
2. Ability to accurately record repetitive data under adverse environmental conditions for long work hours.
3. Ability to make informed decisions regarding fieldwork activities (scheduling, staffing, priority areas, etc.) in response to changing weather and stream flow conditions to allow for efficient use of staff time and accomplishment of project goals.
4. Ability to effectively multi-task, balancing fieldwork, analysis/office work, and administrative/fiscal work.

Willingness.

1. Willingness to work outdoors under all weather conditions; fieldwork performed in this position occurs year-round under a wide array of weather conditions.
2. Willingness to work alone in remote locations; stream surveys, adult trapping and other fieldwork performed in this position are often completed alone under the guidelines of the WDFW Working Alone in Remote Locations Policy (Policy# 2001).
3. Willingness to sample salmon carcasses in various states of decay with very strong odors; salmonid population monitoring fieldwork performed by this position requires the handling and sampling of salmon and steelhead carcasses recovered during stream surveying.
4. Willingness to work long days, nights, all weekends, and some holidays when fieldwork and/or other projects require it.
5. Willingness to periodically travel throughout Washington and to other states for meetings and special projects.

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 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.