Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Creel Survey Biologist - Non-Permanent-Project - 06900-21

FULL-TIME/NON-PERMANENT-PROJECT FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2 CREEL SURVEY BIOLOGIST WDFW Fish Program Mill Creek, Washington Anticipated Project Length: 12 months August 2nd, 2021 - July 29th, 2022 Become part of a talented team that is invested in making a difference in the conservation of Washington State's fish, wildlife, and ecosystems. WDFW's mission and goals are to preserve and protect fish and wildlife while providing sustainable recreational opportunities. Come join the agency and support the mission by independently implementing freshwater recreational fishery monitoring and other anadromous fish management activities! Our Fish and Wildlife Biologist plans, implements, and directs fisheries monitoring and assesses (creels) in-river sport salmon, steelhead, and other gamefish fisheries for the Snohomish and Stillaguamish Rivers (District 13). This position works under the general supervision of the Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 and closely with other regional staff and biometricians. * Snohomish Pink Fishing - Photo Credit: Pete Verhey With that in mind, Picture yourself serving as a lead creel surveyor estimating recreational fishery harvest and assessing population impacts. These harvest estimates are required to fulfill co-manager obligations agreed to in the North of Falcon process and in state/tribal management plans. The optimal applicant will have a positive can-do attitude as they lead a team to collect statistically valid survey data and are eager to work hard and have fun in an environment where there is never a dull moment. They will have a strong work ethic, the ability to take initiative, work independently, and have excellent inter-personal communication and relationship skills. * WDFW Pink Fishery Creel Sampler - Photo Credit: Pete Verhey Our Creel Survey Biologist, * Will implement the creel survey study design and supervise and lead creel staff in sampling recreational fisheries for salmon in the Snohomish, Skykomish and/or the Stillaguamish rivers. They will be the District specialist for monitoring freshwater fisheries. * Designs, plans, directs, and adapts activities of fisheries monitoring staff to provide a statistically defensible collection of fishing effort and catch data. * Assesses efficacy of pre-established monitoring and designs methodologies to improve results of future creel studies. * Supervises creel field staff; hires, trains, and schedules personnel hours; approves/denies leave requests; and reviews time sheets for accuracy. * Performs fieldwork such as ground, aerial, and boat creel surveying; this includes, total effort counts by helicopter or fixed wing aircraft to count all anglers, boats, and boat anglers in the fishery area. * Drives the fishery area searching for anglers and follows paths and trails to the river to interview anglers about fishing effort and catch. * Conducts Endangered Species Act (ESA) reporting including encounters, impacts, and observations of listed fish and wildlife species. * Analyzes data and estimates numbers of target and bycatch species caught. * Reports potential incidental encounter problems in season to senior agency staff. * Maintains line of communication with agency enforcement to keep them informed of fishery violations observed during the fishery. * Other possible duties may include performing marine salmon fry abundance assessments, adult snorkel surveys, or spawning ground surveys. WORKING CONDITIONS: Work Setting, including hazards: * Will perform a mix of office and field work. * Office space will be in a regional WDFW office/employee's home office. If the employee is to work mostly from their home, they should expect to travel to a regional WDFW office/facility as requested including at any time throughout a workday during core business hours if needed. * Field work will occur in and around swift water (rivers and streams). * Walk up to 3 miles in rugged terrain, in and out of the water, and possibly floating in rafts/boats in variable conditions and weather. * May be required to perform low level flight duties in fixed wing/helicopter aircraft for assessment and monitoring activities. * Position will obtain flight safety training at the earliest opportunity (if not already trained). * This position is required to perform work from a contracted helicopter, which may pose a risk of harm. * * Agency provided flight (and motorboat) training will be provided if needed and the courses are available during the term. Schedule: * Prior to the beginning, and after the conclusion of the fisheries, core business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. * During the fisheries, the employee will work as needed to complete all tasks; this will include working split schedules throughout each day (when the employee has staff in the field). * There will be weeks where this position works more than 40 hours. Travel Requirements: * Occasional travel to the Olympia area for picking up vehicles/attending meetings. * Travel to attend aircraft safety training, offices in Region 4, and to fishery areas. Tools and Equipment: * This position may require flying in a small aircraft and helicopters to enumerate fishery effort. * Agency provided vehicle, mobile device, GPS, GPS satellite communication device, flight helmet, flight communication system, flight suit, exposure, and safety gear (including personal flotation device). * Computer and associated software MS Outlook, Word, Excel, Access. Customer Interactions: * Communication with recreational anglers, professional fishing guides, private landowners, co-managers, and the public. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: * A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or related field. AND * One (1) year of professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research. OR * Equivalent professional experience may substitute year for year for education requirement if that experience is in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research, or related field. Note: Professional in this statement is defined as working for an environmental agency or organization full time (not a volunteer) or working on an academic project (i.e., work leading to a Master's degree, or Ph.D.) AND Certifications/Licenses: * Valid Driver's License PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Education: * Master's degree or Ph.D. in an applicable science field will substitute for one year of the required experience. Job knowledge and experience: * Supervisory background with one (1) or more years of experience directing subordinate staff. * Sport fishing and experience working with sport fishers and angler communities, preferably in District 13. * One (1) or more seasons of professional experience conducting or managing creel surveys for a river sport fishery or similar. * Previous experience operating jet boats/sleds, pontoon boats/small watercraft. * Helicopter/fixed wing survey experience. * Previous experience writing professional scientific reports and handling large data sets. * Experience performing snorkel surveys for the enumeration of salmonid populations. * Experience differentiating all species and life stages of Pacific salmonids. Competencies: * Proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook. * Resourcefulness in problem solving; uses intelligence, common sense, hard work and tenacity to solve particularly difficult/complicated challenges. * Maintains emotional control, stays calm, and level-headed in interactions with members of the public. 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.govand 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. IMPORTANT NOTES: 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 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. 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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect. (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) Follow us on social media: LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

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