Please see the following website for full job posting and application link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/2320194-0/fish-biologist-3-permanent-00445-19#new_tab

Description

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 full-time Fish Biologist 3, in the Fish Program, WDFW/ Statewide Salmon & Steelhead.  The duty station for this position is the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, WA.

As an expert level biologist, this position functions as the manager of Puget Sound non-treaty commercial salmon fisheries directed at 5 salmon species in six general regions of origin, in cooperation and coordination with management biologists from the seventeen Puget Sound Treaty Indian Tribes. This position represents WDFW’s interests in the management of Puget Sound salmon resources and commercial fishing interests. This position contributes directly to WDFW’s mission to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.

Duties

Pre-season fisheries planning
Tasks include:
Using stock status information, formulate pre-season regulatory recommendations and develop proposed schedules for Puget Sound all-citizen commercial salmon fisheries. Provide estimates of Puget Sound commercial salmon rates and catches for inclusion in the Fisheries Resource Allocation Model (FRAM}.Following approval of management recommendations by the Agency Director or designee, execute the pre-season plans for Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries. Determine status of Puget Sound salmon stocks using run-size forecasts and escapement requirements, and integrate into proposed commercial fishery management schedules to ensure that pre-determined biological and legal requirements are achieved.

Prepare modifications of the department’s Washington Administrative Code {WAC} regulations, and participate in regulation hearings, as applicable, and monitor the WAC adoption process to ensure that appropriate rules are in effect in order to execute the fisheries. This requires analysis of federal, state, and international regulations and interpretation of department policies pertaining to both recreational and commercial fishing in Puget Sound.

In-season fisheries management
Tasks include:
Analyze in-season commercial salmon catch and effort data, interpret historical catch and effort data, and evaluate catch and effort projection models. Determine the status of Puget Sound salmon stocks using the combination  of pre-season forecasts,  escapement  requirements and/or management objectives, and in-season information and their effects on current escapement status. Formulate in-season commercial fishery management recommendations designed to achieve full harvest of the all-citizen allocation share consistent with resource conservation needs, biological principles, and agency policies. Present in-season proposals to the  unit leader and assist the  leader in presentation and justification  of them  to administrative  staff as  needed.

Treaty fishery tracking
Tasks include:
Reviews, monitors, and reports Puget Sound Treaty Tribal fishery regulations and harvest statistics, insuring that pre-season agreements and conservation objectives are met. Analyzes pre-season.

Represents the State of Washington as the Puget Sound commercial salmon fishery expert.
Tasks include:
Develops fishery recommendations, estimation of salmon catch and by-catch impacts, regulatory development and harvest assessment. Prepare special reports, memoranda and correspondence related to commercial fisheries management of Puget Sound salmon stocks. Responds to written and verbal questions concerning commercial salmon fisheries from public, media, and industry.

Coordinate and conduct research and prepare written reports pertaining to the Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries on such issues as stock status, catch and allocation status, equitable adjustment, analysis of Puget Sound fishery management controls and other topics as assigned. Work in conjunction with other agency personnel to obtain information on hatchery releases, escapement, and tag sampling data, genetic sampling data, and other factors pertinent to Puget Sound salmon runs. Advise constituents, tribal co-managers, and agency staff on the status of commercial fishery behavior and effectiveness. Represent the department at public or professional meetings as assigned and act as an expert witness, on Puget Sound commercial salmon fisheries, in court cases, if necessary.

Supervise the commercial monitoring biologist
Tasks include:
Oversee, coordinate, and direct the activities of the commercial monitoring biologist to ensure that sampling goals are being met that provide in-season data necessary to determine stock abundance, stock composition, and run-timing. Ensure that the biologist is properly supervising technician staff employed to collect necessary commercial data.

Write emergency regulations
Tasks include:
In coordination with program rule-making staff, write regulations to implement approved in-season proposals for the all-citizen commercial salmon fisheries and coordinate regulation notification for public, fishing industry, co-manager and departmental use.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Special projects, trainings, team  building activities,  attending trade shows,  conferences as necessary.

Working Conditions:
Most of the work is conducted in the office (99% of the time), but field work may be conducted on occasions if needed.  Hours of work are generally 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, from 8 am through 5 pm, but seasonal evening and weekend work may be needed.  Travel is required (approximately 10-14 days annually) as part of the North of Falcon team member.  Other travel may be required for meetings, trainings, or assisting with commercial observing.  This positions interacts with Statewide Salmon Manager, Modeling staff (i.e., FRAM) within the Fishery Planning, Modeling, Regulation and ESA response group, Salmon & steelhead stock assessment staff, Puget Sound and Ocean Sampling Unit staff and supervisors, Puget Sound Salmon Management Unit staff and supervisor, WDFW regional biologists, Tribal and Northwest Indian Fishery Commission (NWIFC) representatives, including NWIFC biometricians,

Commercial fishing industry representatives. WDFW biometricians, WDFW salmon  policy  lead managers  (Director’s office), Federal fisheries representatives (e.g., from NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service),  North of Falcon and Pacific Fishery Management Council representatives Public constituents.

Field work may include inclement weather, rough water, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, operating a boat with outboard motor, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, bending, kneeling, lifting (50 lb. max.), working and standing in a confined space, working with fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, raingear, equipment holsters, personal floatation devices, using knives and other equipment around fish, possible encounters with bees, yellow jackets, and other insects.

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).

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree with major study in a natural science  AND  Four years professional experience in natural resource management.
Knowledge of pacific salmon biology, and statistical theory and techniques.
Ability to reason logically, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations, gather and analyze data, speak and write effectively, establish and maintain effective working relationships, participate in meetings in-person and via teleconference.
Understanding of basic biometric/statistical analyst.

A Master’s degree will substitute for two years and a Ph.D. degree will substitute for all of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in the specific specialty.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Salmon life histories and habitat requirements.
• Knowledge of Puget Sound Salmon Stocks
• Knowledge of commercial fisheries, gear, and techniques
• Fish management techniques and Tribal Case Law in Washington State
• Federal Fisheries Management Forums and Regulatory Standards
• Knowledge of the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30)
• Experience or training in salmon stock assessment, escapement estimation, forecasting, population modeling, fishery sampling, harvest monitoring, harvest modeling etc.
• Experience meeting with stakeholders in public meetings to develop plans and reach collaborative agreements; analyzing data and providing recommendations to the group.
• Review and understand complex environmental laws and regulations
• Boat operation, marine electronics, boating safety, etc..

Competencies:
• Ethics and Integrity – Earns and maintains the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions.
• Communication – Clearly and effectively communicates with individuals and groups within and outside of the organization.  Writes appropriately for the audience and situation.  Follows standardized rules of technical writing regarding spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, sentence structure, and composition.  Keeps supervisor and co-workers informed.  Coordinates effectively with supervisor and co-workers.  Follows chain of command.
• Performance Leadership – Creates and nurtures a performance-based culture that supports efforts to accomplish the organizational mission and goals.  Emphasizes agency goals over individual goals.  Demonstrates enthusiasm about achieving goals.  Creates an atmosphere of continuous learning.  Ensures appropriate consequences for good and poor performance.  Takes every task through to conclusion.
• Results Orientation and Initiative – Focuses on results and desired outcomes and how best to achieve them.  Identifies what needs to be done and proactively takes appropriate action.  Gets the job done.  Sets high goals and achieves them.  Pays attention to own performance and works to improve.  Responds to setbacks with renewed and increased efforts; persistent in the face of difficulty.  Goes the “extra mile” to ensure the goal is met.
• Team Leadership – Promotes cooperation within the work unit to achieve unit and agency goals.  Recognizes and encourages behaviors that contribute to team work.  Helps remove obstacles for the team.
• Flexibility and Adaptability – Anticipates and effectively communicates need for change; provides alternatives.  Proactively embraces changes as a way to accomplish unit and agency goals more effectively, by incorporating those changes with appropriate training so as to maintain efficiency and professional quality of work by the unit.  Copes well and helps others deal with the ongoing demands of change and training.
• Accountability – Meets productivity standards, deadlines and work schedules.  Makes the best use of available time and resources.  Doesn’t make excuses for errors or problems; acknowledges and corrects mistakes.  Faces up to problems with people quickly and directly.
• Managing Workloads – Organizes and prioritizes work, devoting adequate time and attention to individual tasks.  Regularly evaluates progress on tasks and adjusts organization, priority, time, method, etc. accordingly.  Remains acutely aware of timeframes and successfully meets deadlines.  If deadlines are in jeopardy, appropriately seeks assistance or guidance from the supervisor.
• Negotiating Agreements – Presents interests in a diplomatic, professional manner oriented toward bringing about understanding and seeking resolution.  Focuses on issues and interests, and not on personalities or bargaining positions.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 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.