Description

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
CLIMATE AND ECOSYSTEM FISHERIES RESEARCH SCIENTIST
FISH & WILDLIFE RESEARCH SCIENTIST 1

Fish Program – Intergovernmental Ocean Policy Division
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Play a crucial role in advancing the agency's mission by leveraging scientific expertise to understand and address the impacts of climate-driven changes on ocean conditions and activities.

This role serves as the Intergovernmental Ocean Policy division’s primary scientific advisor for integrating climate science into shellfish fishery monitoring and ecosystem-based management plans. These plans align with state and federal management objectives including those created by the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The incumbent collaborates closely with internal agency teams as well as external partners including NOAA Fisheries Science Centers, universities, and other relevant experts to inform strategic decision-making and enhance scientific understanding in fisheries management.

Back to shore at sunset – Photo credit: Micky Faulk

Duties

Here is what you will be doing,

• Direct and conduct research, synthesize existing research, and provide expert scientific advice necessary to inform the development of a fishery monitoring and adaptive management program for avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating marine life entanglements in the coastal Dungeness crab fishery and other state-managed fisheries.
• Responsible for all aspects of research studies including determining the design, writing proposals, managing budget, and coordinating staff.
• Provide expert scientific advice and guidance on climate driven processes (e.g., species distribution changes, ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms) necessary to inform the development and evaluation of fishery management plans and fishery monitoring programs.
• Confer and collaborate internally and with representatives of other state, interstate and international agencies and organizations for resolution of scientific aspects of climate change information and its application to marine life migration and fishery adaptation strategies and responses, with emphasis on coastal shellfish fishery management.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.
  • May on occasion include ocean beaches, commercial or recreational fishing vessels, docks, or commercial fish processing facilities. Hazards may include rough seas, inclement weather, wet, slippery vessel decks and docks, and exposure to diesel fumes, fishing gears, machinery, or forklifts.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; may vary with travel or when participating in field work.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Occasional travel to attend meetings, training, conferences, or participate in field work.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Laptop, office supplies.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Position interacts with recreational and commercial fishermen, environmental groups, fish buyers/processors, federal and other state agency biologists, scientists and managers, and the public.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

OR

PLUS

OR

Certifications/Licenses:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• A Doctoral degree with a major in mathematics or statistics with emphasis in animal population or management, natural resource science or management with an emphasis in mathematics or statistics relative to animal population biology or management.
• Two or more articles published or in press in refereed literature (one article must be as senior author, the second article must be as senior or secondary author).
• GIS skills.
• Proficiency in the R statistical programming language.
• Experience in fisheries and natural resource policy.
• Knowledge of monitoring and adaptive management principles.

Supplemental Information

• 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

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 agencyand the perksof 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 (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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must 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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must 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.

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 please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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.

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