Coastal Marine Finfish Senior Scientist - Fish & Wildlife Research Scientist 2 - Permanent-*13962-22
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
COASTAL MARINE FINFISH SENIOR SCIENTIST
FISH & WILDLIFE RESEARCH SCIENTIST 2 (RS2)
Fish Program – Marine Fish Science
Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County
Montesano, Washington is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, other duty stations may be considered.
This recruitment is posted continuously and will remain open until a selection is made. First review of applications will take place on October 10, 2022. Application review will be ongoing, and therefore we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.
Designated expert on the biology, ecology, and status of coastal bottomfish resources, you will conduct status reviews and assessments of marine bottomfish species, and plan/execute resource surveys and studies using standard and advanced techniques!
Plan, develop, and design professional biological studies, research, or resource assessments for coastal marine finfish. Provide the analysis, assessment, and interpretation of the results and preparation of final written reports.
Prepare, assess, and interpret resource information or regulations among the coastal districts and regions - become the specialist on advanced sampling techniques for marine fish in coastal waters.
Canary Rockfish – Photo Credit: Janet Anthony
With that in mind,
Picture yourself providing agency science expertise and leadership to meet department objectives in support of Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC), North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC), and state management needs.
In this dynamic role you will serve as the Director's designated representative on various collaborative resource management forums/committees along the US west coast.
You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, supervise biological staff, provide mentoring and guidance to foster their development in the sciences required for research and management of fisheries resources in the marine environment.
We are seeking a candidate, with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties
*Lingcod Fishing – Photo Credit: WDFW Staff
Our Coastal Marine Finfish Senior Scientist,
Serves as Director’s designated consultant on coastal bottomfish management issues.
- Evaluates all available data sources to provide best available science for management; conducts periodic status reviews for coastal marine bottomfish species; Analyzes data using advanced statistical and scientific methods.
- Publishes research results and present papers in public and scientific forums.
- Makes management recommendations based on best available science.
- Identifies and develops scientific surveys and applies appropriate techniques, such as setlines, rod-and-reel, and acoustic, to acquire samples.
- Conducts quality assurance procedures to ensure accuracy of data and develops databases for analysis.
Serves as the Director’s designated representative on one or more of the following committees: Pacific Fisheries Management Council (PFMC’s) Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team (CPSMT), Highly Migrative Species Management Team (HMSMT), or North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (NPFMC’s) Groundfish Plan Teams (GPT). Also serves as Director’s designated representative for scientific policy on various forums and committees.
- Attends multi-agency meetings and provides professional level consultative expertise to internal and external, state, and federal agency executive managers on coastal pelagic species; formulate policies; identify and define fishery research, survey, and monitoring needs, goals, and objectives for coastal pelagic species in consultation with management (agency and federal, e.g., PFMC and NPFMC).
Conducts coastal marine bottomfish stock assessment(s) and provides support for the State and Federal bottomfish management.
- Develops and applies state-of-the-art population models to assess the condition of coastal bottomfish populations using mathematical, statistical and computer techniques.
- Estimates growth, natural mortality, recruitment and analyzes catch and effort data for trends in abundance.
- Represents WDFW on inter-state and statewide bottomfish technical review and stock assessment development committees.
- Determines research needs, develop, and direct new and current bottomfish research.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Typical office work, involving use of various office equipment - teleworking options may be considered, up to supervisor approval.
- Periodic fieldwork aboard seagoing vessels and on beaches using diverse sampling equipment.
- Hazards include exposure, electrocution, blunt-force trauma, laceration, drowning, and contact with dangerous marine life.
- Schedule:
- 40 hours + per week, generally 8 hours per day Monday - Friday.
- Fieldwork and travel may require flexible scheduling.
- Travel Requirements:
- Up to 50% of time.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Various sampling equipment, such as trawls, beach seines, remotely operated vehicles, scientific echosounders, and hook-and-line gear.
- Small craft and outboard motors, toxic chemicals including formalin and ethyl alcohol.
- Customer Interactions:
- Participates in meeting with, and provides presentations to members of the public, federal, state, tribal, and academic collaborators, legislators, and others
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Master's degree in wildlife, habitat, or fisheries science, biology, zoology or in mathematics with an emphasis on animal population biology or a closely allied field.
AND
- Four (4) years of professional experience designing, conducting, and supervising multidisciplinary wildlife, habitat, or fish-related research studies.
AND
- Three (3) articles published or in press refereed literature, (two articles must be as senior author, the third article must be as senior or secondary author).
OR
- Three (3) years of experience as a Fish and Wildlife Research Scientist 1.
Please Note:
- A Doctoral degree in one (1) of the above fields of study will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
Knowledge:
- Comprehensive knowledge and substantial experience in research of the biology, life history, ecology of northeastern Pacific marine fishes including life history parameters, habitat relationships, ecological interactions, fishing patterns, management history, and past and current research.
- Of quantitative models, statistics, and modeling techniques to characterize and track fish populations and predict the status and trends of marine fish populations - techniques include descriptive, inferential, and others statistical methods, survey and experimental design, demographic modeling, mortality and maturity rate analysis, and ecological modeling.
- And significant experience of scientific research techniques including hypothesis testing, data analysis, and program design.
- Of marine fisheries including trawl, long lining, set netting, drag seining, and other capture fisheries including vessels, fleet patterns, catch rates, catch evaluation, effort characteristics, and regulations.
- And compatible experience with survey techniques for marine and other fish populations including the design, development and implementation of bottom trawl, mid-water trawl, beach seining, purse seining, set netting, long lining, scuba, video, remote-operated vehicles, submersibles, hydroacoustics, and other new or developing techniques.
- Of project management techniques including goal setting, establishing objectives, implementing programs, developing, and managing timelines and budgets, reporting results, developing proposals, and motivating staff.
Skills:
- Skills using computers employing modeling, statistical, database, and other analytical software.
- Advanced writing skills compatible to write management briefs, agency reports, and peer-reviewed, and scientific articles.
- Advanced oral communication skills compatible with presenting and effectively communicating scientific results and management recommendations at scientific meetings, management briefings, and public meetings.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid Driver’s License.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Mathematical reasoning – experience utilizing mathematical techniques to solve practical problems, employs statistical theory to sample populations and evaluate biological studies.
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 cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
- Writing/Research Samples.
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:
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 (Download PDF reader), 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.
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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
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 support@neogov.com.
*Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks.
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