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, Fish Management.  The duty station for this position is the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, WA.

As WDFW Dive Safety Officer, this position is responsible for implementing an agency-wide program to conduct safe diving operations in support of agency goals and objectives. As lead for Pinto Abalone Recovery, this position oversees research, fieldwork, and collaborations to implement the recovery of pinto abalone populations in Washington waters. This position is also a key member of the Puget Sound Shellfish Dive Team, participating in assessments and studies to support management of commercial shellfisheries. Duties and responsibilities link to the 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 Science Goal – Promote development and responsible use of sound and objective science to inform decision-making.

DutiesAgency Dive Safety Officer (DSO)
Tasks include: 
This position serves as primary technical advisor for all Agency diving operations. The DSO reviews Agency diving operations for compliance with all applicable policies and regulations. The DSO recommends [to the Agency Safety Officer and Agency Diving Safety Board (DSB)], revisions to WDFW Policy 2004 and the WDFW Diving Operations Manual (DOM) to improve dive safety as needed. The DSO develops and approves reciprocal dive agreements with treaty tribes, state agencies, federal agencies, universities, and other institutions to provide and ensure safe joint-diving operations. When necessary, the DSO recommends restricting or suspending Agency diving personnel or operations to the DSB. The DSO participates in the review of citations or violations incurred by the WDFW Diving Program, and makes recommendations to the DSB for correcting deficiencies. The DSO participates in the investigation and documentation of any illness, injury, fatality or dangerous incident that may arise from WDFW diving activities. The DSO coordinates, conducts, and reviews Agency diving training and certification programs. The DSO has oversight of diving equipment and equipment maintenance programs. The DSO is a member of and coordinates the activities of the DSB. Specific responsibilities of the DSO are documented in greater detail in the Agency DOM.

Pinto Abalone Recovery
Tasks include: 
This position serves as lead biologist for the WDFW Pinto Abalone Recovery Program. WDFW monitors the remnant wild population, conducts studies on hatchery supplementation, and works with collaborators (including universities, nongovernmental organizations, treaty tribes, and private industry) to assess and develop methods to restore Pinto abalone populations in Washington. This position will be responsible for oversight of abalone contracts to fund the abalone hatchery program, and coordination of surveys, stocking trials, and other fieldwork activities with collaborators to meet restoration goals. This position also conducts public outreach about Pinto Abalone restoration. Pinto abalone are under consideration to be listed as a state endangered species. If listed, this position would develop and implement the agency’s recovery plan.

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

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

Working conditions:
Fieldwork hours are variable, but usually on a Monday through Thursday schedule.  Office work is usually within a 40-hour workweek on a Monday through Friday schedule. Position may interact with the public regarding pinto abalone recovery, dive safety, and commercial shellfish fisheries.  Overnight travel is required in remote locations during field work. Field work is typically Monday through Thursday, including 3 overnight stays, each week. The team averages 12 weeks of overnight travel for field work per year, plus occasional overnight travel for conferences or meetings

Occasional weekend work may be necessary when tidal / fishery conditions require it.  This position has significant periods of fieldwork on research vessels that require a high level of fitness for diving and extended work days. Fieldwork is conducted in various weather conditions and during all seasons of the year. Fieldwork is primarily performed from a variety of research vessels in various sea states, and underwater subject to diverse conditions including cold temperature, low visibility, and high current. Work is also done in a standard office environment.

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.

QualificationsRequired 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.

Basic Agency dive position requires documentation of a basic scuba certification from a recognized and qualified dive organization (e.g. 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 accredited dive physician, and demonstration of open water dive proficiency and fitness are required for continued employment. Completion of a Basic First Aid and CPR course are required prior to assuming dive duties.

The Dive Safety Officer position requires documentation of scuba instructor certification from a recognized and qualified dive organization (e.g. NAUI, PADI, SSI, etc.) or the ability to attain such certification within four months of employment.

Prior experience operating vessels in the marine environment is required. Upon hire, completion and certification in the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) is required to operate agency vessels

Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Experience as the Dive Safety Officer for an active diving research institution, agency, or commercial enterprise is desired.
Experience with conservation biology, species restoration, or pinto abalone biology is desired.
Scientific diving or underwater stock assessment experience is desired.
Experience with commercial fisheries is desired.
Basic knowledge of scuba gear maintenance and repair is desired.
Basic knowledge of marine mechanics is desired.

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 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.