Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3

 $3522.00 – $4627.00 Range: 53

Recruitment # 1580-11 Open: November 10, 2011 Closes: November 23, 2011

This is a permanent position in the Wild Salmonid Production Evaluation Unit of the Fish Program. The position functions as the project manager for salmon and steelhead research on the Coweeman and Kalama rivers. The incumbent is responsible for implementing life cycle monitoring studies (juvenile and adult) and for conducting research to determine limiting factors for survival and life history diversity of salmon and steelhead. This position is stationed at the Kelso Field Office in Kelso, WA.

This position reports to immediate supervisor and interacts with administrative and other personnel from State, Federal, and local agencies and the general public. The position supervises two permanent technicians.

Responsibilities include:

1. Oversee juvenile and adult monitoring studies on the Coweeman and Kalama rivers. Studies involve the operation of screw traps and weirs, marking and tagging of juvenile and adult fish, and spawner surveys. Oversight will include developing and refining study designs, ensuring data quality, and managing budgets and equipment.

2. Analyze data and communicates study results. Mark-recapture estimators will be used to derive juvenile and adult abundance of Chinook salmon and steelhead. Study results will be communicated in agency report formats, peer-review manuscripts, and oral presentations at regional and national meetings.

3. Directs and supervises technical staff to achieve project objectives. Supervise two permanent technicians and coordinate field responsibilities with WDFW Region 5 ESA/Anadromous Fish Monitoring Lead.

4. Work with supervisor to develop research studies related to the survival, life history, and resilience of wild salmon and steelhead.

Working Conditions:

The incumbent will work in an office and field environment. Work in an office environment will be a 5-day, 40 hour/week schedule. Work in the field environment includes long periods of field activity and includes some night and weekend work. Fieldwork may include hiking and walking streams in inclement weather and sampling in cold, harsh, isolated conditions, including lifting and carrying 30 lbs. of equipment on long hikes.

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). As a condition of employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.

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, or

A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute one year of the required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience. Or Two years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Preferred Experience:

Incumbent should have skills in project management, report writing, and statistical analysis. Field experience with juvenile and adult salmonid monitoring and trapping operations is preferred. Incumbent must be able and willing to work independently and have a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.

How to apply

Go to our homepage for instructions on how to apply and to download the state application at http://wdfw.wa.gov/employment/.

Fill out the state application thoroughly, listing all relevant employment and explaining the duties performed. The information you provide on this application will be used to determine whether you meet the qualifications for the position.

Send these materials to wdfwjobs@dfw.wa.gov. If you have questions about this recruitment, you may contact Margaret Gordon, Recruitment Specialist at 360 902-2209.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, and ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, 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 (800) 833-6388.