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

Applications will be reviewed and interviews held as qualified applicants are identified, and the position may be filled and the recruitment closed. The first review will be May 16, 2019.   Therefore, you are encouraged to submit your application materials as soon as possible.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time, permanent, Fish Science Director (WMS3) position. The position is located in the Fish Program and the duty station in located at the Natural Resources Building, 1111 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA.

This position is a member of the Fish Program Senior Management Team (FMT) and has statewide policy, budget, and strategic planning and decision-making authority and responsibilities. This position oversees approximately 200 FTEs located across the state in headquarter, regional, district, and local field offices.

This position manages six (6) program areas: (1) statewide research, monitoring, and evaluation, (2) laboratory research and operations, (3) fish health, (4) information technology and GIS, (5) statistics and biometric support, and (6) Columbia River science and policy. Statewide research, monitoring, and evaluation units support fishery management, hatchery operations, and salmon recovery activities. (e.g., ESA compliance, congressionally mandated Hatchery Reform, agency Fishery and Hatchery Reform, etc.).  Laboratory operations include the Molecular Genetics Laboratory (MGL), Fish Health, Otolith, and Ageing. MGL supports agency-wide genetic and genomic science, research, monitoring, and investigative forensics for the Enforcement Program. The Fish Health Program includes veterinarian and fish health laboratory activities which is responsible for disease and pathogen diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation in the agency’s 83 hatcheries statewide. The Otolith (fish bones and hard parts) and ageing (fish scales) laboratories provide information for fisheries management, hatchery operations, and salmon recovery statewide. The Fish Program Biological Data Systems Unit is in charge of all data operations and GIS support for the Fish Program. The Quantitative Analysis, Synthesis, and Reporting Unit provides biometrician, statistical, and analytical support for the Fish Program statewide. Columbia River science and policy support is responsible for agency and Fish Program policy coordination with the Northwest Power and Conservation Council Program for the Interior Columbia River and Snake River basins.Duties

Federal and State Laws, Tribal Treaties, and Conventions
This position is responsible for development and implementation of federal ESA compliance monitoring programs for hatcheries and fisheries. This position provides oversight, compliance, and issuance of state fish transfer permits for net pens and marine and freshwater aquaculture. This position is responsible for development and Implementation of data systems and software associated with shellfish and finfish catch accounting for commercial and tribal harvest, and recreational fishing. This position is responsible for reporting for catch and hatchery releases for international fishery treaties and conventions. This position is responsible for providing the best available science as specified in state RCWs for conservation and management of salmon and steelhead.

Responsible for the development, negotiation, and application of policies that affect natural resource issues statewide, including but not limited to federal Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions, hatcheries and mitigation, commercial and sport fishing regulations, and research and development.

Responsible for assessing and evaluating the fiscal or policy impacts of legislation or Congressional activities, and provide recommendations directly to the Director, Governor’s Office, Congressional staffers, Legislator’s, and Fish Program Assistant Director.

Responsible for strategic planning and policy development for salmon recovery and science that has impacts for the agency, state partners, salmon recovery partners, and tribal co-managers.

Responsible for ensuring that the science budget and fiscal operations are timely, efficient, effective and in conformance with agency policies and applicable state and federal laws. Responsible for ensuring the accurate translation of Science Division policies and procedures into implementation plans throughout all units, through the use of work plans, written directives, conferences and meetings.

Responsible for interfacing with the public, legislators and other state, federal, and local governments regarding science division and salmon recovery activities.

 Working conditions
Generally 40 hours/wk., M-F from 8am-5pm.  Seasonal evening and weekend work may be needed. Work is typically conducted in an office or meeting group setting.  QualificationsA Bachelor’s degree with major study in a natural science (Fish Science, Fish Management, Biology, etc.).

Preferred/Desired Education, Training, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Master’s of Science or Ph.D. in biological science or related field.
Experience with Washington State government systems and processes.
Understanding of the government-to-government relationship In Washington with treaty tribes.
Have a working knowledge of fish and shellfish biology and natural resource management.

To be competitive for this position, an applicant should demonstrate the following competencies:

Competencies – Strong skills sets in the following:

Management competencies:
Strong project management skills and abilities that include creating a plan, identifying resources, and meeting deadlines.
Strong decision-making skills, including the ability to make recommendations to senior managers on all aspects of divisional operations and agency policies.
Ability to work well with diverse and competing groups and adapt quickly to changing issues, priorities, and needs.
Ability to juggle multiple priorities, projects, and assignments.
Ability to work well in a fast-paced environment under changing time constraints.
Ability to provide coaching and mentoring that enables employees to grow and succeed through positive feedback, instruction, and encouragement.

Communication competencies:
Excellent organizational, written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Strong writing and editing skills; the ability to produce written materials that are clear, concise, easy to read and understand, and effective in communicating the desired message in a professional and respectful manner.
Ability to communicate effectively with diverse and sometimes competing groups of people.
Ability to take complex fiscal information and repackage it in a way that is more clearly understood by non­ financial managers.

Leadership competencies:
Promotes organizational mission, goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives, and shows the way to achieve them.
Aligns the direction, services, and performance of the daily operations of the division and its interaction with other WDFW programs within the broader context of the Department’s goals and objectives.
Leads through example.

Technical competencies:
Ability to follow fiscal guidelines, regulations, principles, and standards when committing fiscal resources or preparing or processing fiscal transactions.

Knowledge:
Strategic and tactical planning
Budgeting development, allotments and accountability
Professional Coaching
Knowledge of fish ecology, research scientific methods, statistical principles and data analysis
Principles of management including staff supervision, leadership, conflict resolution, personnel and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA) and regulations, policy development and implementation.
Program and agency chain of command for effective communication and management.

Skills:
Communicates clearly and concisely across managerial, professional and legislative levels in both oral and written form.
Prioritize and make decisions on diverse issues.
Organize, motivate and provide leadership and vision for Science staff.

Supplemental InformationTo 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
• 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.