The 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.

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 Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2 position available in the Fish Program, Salmon Recovery Science Unit. The duty station for this position is 20268
Hwy 20, Twisp, WA 98856.

The primary purpose of this position is to implement and supervise the research, monitoring and evaluation (RM&E) activities necessary to determine the late fall and winter survival, movement, spatial distribution, and habitat associations of Endangered Species Act listed juvenile spring Chinook Salmon in the Methow River basin. Under general direction, this position will apply best scientific principles to design, conduct and analyze research, provide an interpretation of the results and prepare contract reports, oral presentations, and assist with producing peer reviewed articles. Results from this research will ultimately be used to identify population limiting factors and to evaluate how various habitat restoration actions might differentially improve the capacity of habitat and/or the survival of overwintering juveniles.

• Supervise and direct operation of two rotary screw traps using established methods and procedures  to generate  emigration abundance estimates at both locations;
• Implement work plans for trapping operations, radio tagging, fixed and mobile tracking and fish/habitat surveys;
• Obtain all necessary permits, and ensure all project activities follow permit guidelines and requirements;
• Analyze data using appropriate analytical methods.

Communicate results of scientific studies and project accomplishments.
Tasks include:

• Write annual reports to U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
• Contribute to the publication of peer-reviewed scientific papers;
• Give presentations to constituent groups and funding agencies;
• Submit ESA-related research permit and take reports;
• Write clearly and concisely: Provide succinct summaries capturing research results, key ideas, and recommendations.

Develop new methods and technologies for collection of biological data
Tasks include:

• Adapt juvenile winter fish and habitat sampling methodologies in order to increase efficiencies
• Innovative uses of materials and methods to capture biological data under all field conditions to improve data accuracy and precision of estimates;
• Ensure that best scientific principles (e.g., experimental design, methodology, and statistical analysis) are used in this project and for report submittal.

Supervision and mentoring of technical staff
Tasks include:

• Supervise and mentor technical level staff in order to support an effective and motivated team;
• Set goals and objectives, develops strategies to implement, and develops performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and program performance objectives are met;
• Monitor and inspect work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work;
• Develop the Performance Development Plan (PDP for each assigned employee within unit: creates or updates position descriptions; monitors and documents employee performance; provides on-going feedback regarding levels of performance, and conducts timely and meaningful employee performance evaluations;
• Manage personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc… in a positive manner for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit;
• Develop and implements staff training and development plans to provide cross training of employees, specific job related training and other approaches to provide opportunities for staff flexibility and development;
• Participate in team meetings, communicates status of ongoing projects and/or job tasks, and coordinates work schedule with team for the purpose of maintaining open communication;
• Responsible for planning and maintaining work systems, procedures, and policies that enable and encourage the optimum performance of its people and other resources within the unit.

Working conditions
The employee will generally be scheduled for a 40-hour Monday-Friday workweek to meet supervisory requirements of the Scientific Technicians. Some variations in the basic work schedule will occur during peak field season activities (spring and fall) when 7 days a week juvenile trapping operations are underway, including night and weekend shift work. This may result in working in excess of 40 hours per week during peak seasons. Travel is expected to attend meetings related to funding, training and professional development conferences. Some private landowner contacts are required to complete surveys, and to secure sites for rotary screw traps. General interaction with public is limited.

Safety hazards in the field include slippery conditions, extreme hot and cold temperatures, and potential injury from biting insects or snakes. Working knowledge of safe rotary smolt trap operations, radio telemetry receivers, PIT tag scanning equipment, coded wire tag detectors, electronic data capture equipment (laptops, tablets, data loggers), and general tools for installation of traps 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).

Note: A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one year of the required experience; a Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two years of the required experience.
OR 
Equivalent education/experience.

Preferred work experience:
1) Experience in the operation of radio telemetry receivers at fixed detection sites and during mobile tracking surveys. It is desirable to have additional experience managing and analyzing fixed and mobile radio telemetry data.
2) Experience in the installation, operation, and maintenance of rotary screw traps; including the execution of mark-recapture efficiency trials, and associated statistical analysis of mark-recapture trials in order to generate emigration estimates.
3) Experience in fish tagging and marking techniques (including the use of PIT tags and radio telemetry tags)
4) Experience and willingness to execute fish and habitat surveys in inclement conditions, including extreme heat/cold.
5) Ability to create, maintain, and improve data collection forms and computer databases (e.g., MS Access) to maintain accurate records of sampling data.
6) Ability to develop hypotheses, plan procedures and protocols for testing assumptions and validating methodologies, determine staff needs, write research proposals, and implement research studies.
7) Ability to think conceptually, analyze data using appropriate statistical procedures, identify key relationships, and observe and interpret trends.
8) Ability to interact with funding agencies in a professional manner by understanding underlying issues, and conveying them appropriately to ensure that important issues are clearly understood, both verbally and in writing.
9) Knowledge of inland anadromous salmonid ecology and life histories.
10) Ability to communicate findings using clear scientific writing and editing.

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.