Title- Oil Spill Team Section Manager
Classification- Environmental Planner 5
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Protection Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- This position is currently required to report to the duty station in Olympia at least one day per week. Hybrid schedules are approved at the discretion of the supervisor. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Oil Spill Team works with Washington Department of Ecology Spills Program, the petroleum industry, federal and state agencies, tribes, oil response organizations, and non-government organizations to reduce the impacts of oil spills on fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

This position directs the activities of the WDFW Habitat Program's Oil Spill Team (OST). The OST advocates for fish and wildlife resources during oil spill planning and response activities, specifically for natural resource protection, wildlife rescue, and resource damage assessment and restoration. The position administers the OST budget and contracts.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Oil Spill Team Section Manager,

• Ensures the activities of the OST support the agency mission to preserve and protect fish, wildlife, and habitats in three focus areas: natural resource protection, wildlife rescue, and resource damage assessment and restoration.
• Supervises employees on the OST. Assesses training needs of staff and arranges for or provides instructions. Maintains inventory and ensures that response equipment is in good condition. Promotes opportunities for employee professional development and advancement.
• Documents team response activities in alignment with agency policy.
• Manages the OST budget and contracts.
• Maintains agency safety protocols for staff working in the field.
• Represents agency interests during reviews of state and regional oil spill response plans, including the Northwest Area Contingency Plan, Geographic Response Plans, and individual facility contingency plans.
• Participates in the planning process for state-mandated petroleum industry drill exercises to advocate for agency priorities.
• Serves as an agency representative on state and regional oil spill response workgroups, with a focus on natural resource protection, wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and natural resource damage assessment and restoration.
• Serves as team "Duty Officer” in rotation with other team members (typically one-week 24/7 rotations). Receives spill notifications, assesses potential resource risks, conducts initial response activities as needed, and mobilizes team resources.
• May initiate Team response actions associated with natural resource protection, wildlife rescue, and natural resource damage assessment activities.
• Serves within the Incident Command System for spill responses within the environmental unit or wildlife branch as needed.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: Work is primarily in an office setting, although may require the ability to respond to field locations anywhere in the state.? Work activities may involve boat or aircraft use. This position may be exposed to oiled environments, adverse weather conditions, distressed wildlife. 

Schedule: Generally, Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week, although the position may be required to work a significant additional amount of time outside of normal business hours. In the event of a significant oil spill, it is likely that the position will be required to work for extended periods (including overnight stays) outside of normal work hours. The position will also be required to work several times per year outside of normal work hours (with occasional overnight stays) while participating in scheduled drill exercises.

Standby: This position includes a standby requirement. Standby entails being accessible by cell phone and pager and remaining within a one-hour driving distance to provide support for field staff addressing irregular emergent issues or to complete safety check-in and check-out processes outside of core business hours. Standby shifts may consist of full days (e.g., Saturday-Sunday) or intermittent periods (e.g., 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM several times per week). Shifts will typically be scheduled in advance, except in emergency situations, and will be equitably distributed with the senior biologist.

Travel: The position travels statewide both in response to significant oil spill incidents and to participate in scheduled drill exercises. Overnight stays may be required.

Tools: Team vessels and vehicles.

Customer interaction: During spill responses and drills, this position primarily serves in the Incident Command Systems under intense emergency conditions. This position may be required to deliver public presentations in contentious public forums.

Other: The position will also be required to serve as the team Duty Officer in 24/7 rotation with other team members. While serving as the team “Duty Officer,” the position will need to restrict personal movements and behavior such that they remain capable of performing required duties outside of normal work hours, including weekends and holidays. These restrictions include the ability to be at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia, ready to conduct extended field operations, within one hour of notification when on rotation.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

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

A bachelor’s degree or above with major emphasis in fisheries biology, marine/wildlife biology, ecological systems, environmental science, or natural resource planning, or closely related field and five (5) years of professional experience in one or more of the following: environmental or natural resource planning, fisheries management/planning, wildlife management/planning, and/or program development.

Plus:

• Knowledge of effects of oil and hazardous substances on fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Knowledge of general fish and wildlife biology and ecology (particularly of fish and wildlife species that are dependent on marine and aquatic ecosystems).
• Knowledge and experience in oil spill response and the Incident Command System for oil spill management. Experience operating within a dynamic emergency environment, including making decisions that direct the activities of others.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of the following courses: Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700 within the first 90 days of employment. ICS 300 is also required and needs to be successfully completed within one year of employment.
• Successful completion of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard Program (HazWoper) 40-hour training within the first 90 days of employment. An annual 8-hour refresher is required.
• Successful completion (and maintenance) of the Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) or equivalent certification as determined by the WDFW Safety Office, within one year of employment.
• WDFW flight safety training, within one year of employment and as mandated by WDFW PRO 2006, as determined by the WDFW Safety Office.
• NOAA Science of Oil Spills training within one year of employment.
• NOAA Aerial Observation of Oil Spills within one year of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Experience in:

• Planning and administering budgets.
• Public administration and navigating government processes.
• Supervising professional staff.
• Managing programs, policies, and procedures.
• Applying state and federal natural resource damage assessment and restoration rules, regulations, and processes.
• Evaluating habitat protection and restoration plans.
• Communicating ideas and information effectively through both written and spoken word, tailored to the audience's level of knowledge and the complexity of the topic.
• Integrating diverse ideas, intentions, and information to develop effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans, and solutions.
• Partnering with staff to provide guidance, instruction, feedback, and encouragement to support their success.
• Building cohesive, results-oriented teams.
• Directing and integrating all aspects of a project or program to achieve defined goals and objectives.
• Managing a budget and adhering to fiscal guidelines, regulations, and standards.
• Navigating organizational and political environments to make informed decisions that serve diverse interests and advance agency goals.
• Serving the public, supporting the agency mission, and contributing to team success.
• Using software tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and GIS.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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

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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

Request an accommodation: 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.

Technical Difficulties: 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. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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