Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 – Skokomish Basin Fish Biologist – Permanent – *13203-22: Shelton, Washington

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Agency

Department of Fish & Wildlife

Location

Shelton, Washington

Job Category

Full time Positions

Salary

$4,117.00 - $5,399.00 Monthly

Last Date to Apply

09/27/2022

Website

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3719170/fish-wildlife-biologist-2-skokomish-basin-fish-biologist-permanent-1320

Description

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT SKOKOMISH BASIN FISH BIOLOGIST FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2 Fish Program Shelton, Washington This Biologist conducts monitoring and research on wild salmon and steelhead, with particular focus on ESA-listed summer chum and steelhead. This position generally focuses on monitoring and evaluation activities in the Skokomish Basin that serve as the foundation for meeting recovery obligations and informing management actions. It accomplishes this through evaluation of recovery actions related to Hood Canal Chinook with particular emphasis on the late-timed Chinook recovery program. This position will also implement stock and recovery assessments of ESA-listed summer chum, steelhead and bulltrout, with particular focus on Skokomish populations. In this dynamic role, you will contribute to and assist the District Fish Biologist with salmon stock assessment in the Skokomish River, with a particular focus on Chinook recovery issues and the late-timed Chinook program as required under the Puget Sound Chinook Harvest Plan biological opinion. With your experience, you will conduct weekly foot, raft, and snorkel surveys for ESA-listed Chinook, summer chum, bull trout, and steelhead, and develop abundance estimates for these listed species. DUTIES Our Skokomish Basin Fish Biologist, Conducts weekly biological sampling of Chinook salmon returns to George Adams and Hoodsport hatcheries from Aug through Oct, coordinating with hatchery staff on biological sampling of scales, DNA, coded wire tags, length, weight, fecundity, egg size. Coordinates with hatchery staff on recording and auditing hatchery escapement, egg take, rearing, marking, tagging and release data. Reports regularly on releases, returns, timing, and egg take numbers. Assists with joint co-manager spawning ground surveys for Chinook, summer chum, and pink salmon from Aug through Oct on the Skokomish River, communicating with tribal technical staff to ensure data quality. Coordinates field work with agency and co-manager technical staff. Conducts spawning ground surveys for bull trout from early Sept through Oct. Supports spawning ground surveys for coho and fall chum Oct through Dec. Conducts spawning ground surveys for steelhead from Mar through Jun. Enumerates salmon, bull trout, and steelhead through redd counts and live fish counts, distinguishing from among multiple species, using rafting, foot, and snorkeling methodologies. Samples salmon and steelhead in the field for scales, otoliths, DNA, coded wire tag, length, weight, etc. Develops databases, including entering, querying, auditing, and reporting data and associated quality control of SGS datasets. Reports weekly and annual returns, mark rates, and age composition on the spawning grounds. Determines geographic distribution of Chinook, bull trout, and steelhead. Maintains cumulative summary of all late-timed Chinook egg takes, releases, and returns. Generates escapement estimates for Chinook, summer chum, bull trout and steelhead. Calculates return timing, return rates, exploitation rates, smolt-to-adult survival of Hood Canal hatchery Chinook through coded wire tag analysis. Statistical comparison of these parameters with regular, early timed double index tag groups. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work Setting, including hazards: Approx. 3 days in the field and 2 days in an office setting, weighted toward field work Mar through Jun and Aug through Dec; and primarily office work in July and Jan/Feb. Hatcheries with concrete floors, wet surfaces, standing for long periods, handing heavy fish carcasses and equipment. River surveys walking long distances over wet, uneven surfaces, use of rafts in fast moving water, snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing/whitewater conditions. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. Schedule: 40 hours/week, with some flexing within weekly intervals based on fish and weather. Travel Requirements: Travel to hatchery and surveying locations (within district). Tools and Equipment: Truck, computer, phone, waders, raingear, drysuit, coded wire tag detector. Customer Interactions: Incidental.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And One (1) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research. Or Equivalent education/experience in related field. Please note: A Master’s degree or Ph.D, degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. License: Valid driver’s license. Training: First-aid and CPR training card within 6 months of hire. Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability. WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within 6 months of hire and renewal expected annually. Incumbent should be willing and able to safely operate powered workboats after successfully completing a WDFW-approved motorboat operator’s training course. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Ability to: Conduct salmon spawning ground surveys in remote areas, in rugged terrain with inclement weather. Assess models and propose sampling and modeling options for fisheries, escapements, and recovery. Communicate in writing, expressing ideas, composing co-manager correspondence, and agency reports with clarity. Communicate verbally, expressing ideas in technical discussions with other biologists by phone, email, Teams, and in person, individually and in meetings, and may include an occasional presentation to co-managers. Regular communication with the District Biologist, Area Biologist, and co-manager technical staff is particularly essential so program activities are well coordinated. Use Microsoft Access, Excel, and R, enter and audit data, summarize date by constructing tables and graphs, fulfil data requests, and organize and maintain historical datasets related to stock assessment and program evaluations. Incumbent must be capable of accomplishing the above duties and tasks while maintaining a safe and healthy work environment and adhering to WDFW workplace safety policies. Experience: Using R (analysis software), MS Access, Excel. Preparing presentations in PowerPoint. Working with centralized databases such as RMIS, WDFW CWT, WDFW Fishbooks. Conducting salmon and steelhead spawning ground surveys. Knowledge of: Statistical methods and fish population modeling. Computers, including database development, spreadsheet and word processing software, (primarily Microsoft's Access, Excel and Word), and statistical analysis software such as R. CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: As a result of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) issued on August 9, 2021, all Washington State Agencies are requiring employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of your employment. Pursuant to this mandate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination as a part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials - your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor prior to your first day of work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes. Supplemental Information Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification. In order to successfully 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. Three professional references. IMPORTANT NOTES: The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews. All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents JOIN THE WDFW TEAM: Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW! The Washington 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. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE). WDFW employees may be eligible for the following: Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives, Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth. UNION - WAFWP: This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals. Yes Vets - Say yes to those who served. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE: To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following: Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to [email protected]. Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran) Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov. MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following: Notify us of your military spouse status by email at [email protected]. Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS) Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov. Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at [email protected]. As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington. 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. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or [email protected]. Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

Contact Person

Cheri Weld

Contact eMail

[email protected]

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