Title- Puget Sound Sampling Unit Biologist 
Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Puget Sound Sampling Unit
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

This recruitment has been re-opened to increase the applicant pool and will be posted until December 26, 2024. If you applied previously, your application is still under consideration and you do not need to re-apply. Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed at any time.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As a senior-level biologist, you will supervise and oversee the collection of dockside recreational and commercial fisheries data across the Salish Sea, Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 

Working closely with the Puget Sound Sampling Unit Manager, play a key role in planning and developing of biological research, and coordinating data collection to support stock assessment and fisheries management. 

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Puget Sound Sampling Unit Biologist will, 

Responsible for supervision of all creel and biological data collected dockside in the unit associated with recreational and commercial fisheries, in Marine Areas 5-13: 

• Directly supervise four (4) Scientific Technician 4 field supervisors and oversee all permanent and non-permanent staff under those positions.
• Guide and assist the field supervisors with all technical biological sampling related problems and issues to follow predetermined sampling methods, techniques and plans.
• Assist the field supervisors with coordinating seasonal (halibut and summer and winter salmon) and weekly fisheries sampling schedules. Coordinate fisheries sampling efforts both within and between different geographic areas of the sampling unit to ensure all dockside fisheries sampling activities are completed. 
• Design, set up, oversee and implement employee training and on-boarding processes for the unit, with the assistance of other staff in the unit.
• Work with the unit’s Sampler Support staff to ensure all field staff have access to relevant programs and systems needed for the collection of biological field data and administrative processes on iPhones and iPads, including but not limited to: iForms, WDFW’s intranet (SharePoint) site, MS Teams, TotalTime, and MS Outlook email, TEMS or their replacements.
• Coordinate and assist the field supervisors with the hiring, training and evaluation of all dockside sampling unit staff including those in South Sound (Olympia), the Peninsula (Port Angeles), North Sound (Bellingham) and Central Sound (Edmonds).

Serve as the sampling unit’s primary implementer and coordinator for HR activities for dockside sampling positions:

• Prepare, process and track in spreadsheets (currently Smartsheet) personnel and position actions in the unit in coordination with field supervisors and unit manager.
• Ensure the completion and accuracy by staff of all HR documents including but not limited to the writing and editing of position descriptions, recruitments, and HR Actions. Coordinate and ensure all hiring and HR action timelines are met for adequate staffing levels for all fisheries conducted in the unit.

Ensure completion of dockside fisheries data and sampling unit documents:

• Ensure the timely completion of the editing, reviewing and quality control of recreational dockside fisheries data by field supervisors and staff, in coordination with PSSU data manager in the unit’s online portal.

Coordinate, oversee, and conduct fisheries sampling and training:

• Coordinate with field supervisors to ensure on-site training for dockside sampling staff during recreational and commercial sampling occurs when needed to assure consistency and standardization in data collection.
• Work with other unit Biologists and staff, as well as other WDFW Fish Program staff to develop comprehensive training objectives, strategies, and techniques to communicate proper methods of sampling and data recording.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Position works most of the time (90%) in an office environment.
• Fieldwork (10%) may include adverse weather and sea conditions, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of squatting, walking, boating for angler interviews, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon or halibut in a boat.
• Carrying, kneeling, heavy lifting (up to 40 lbs. unassisted) containers of fish, working and standing in confined space, fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, biting and stinging insects, and the use of knives.
• Transporting agency staff and equipment in agency vehicles.

Schedule: 24/7 non-scheduled, 40 hours per week. Typically, 8 - 10 hours per day between 5:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M. Weekend and evening work required.

Travel Requirements: Travel throughout the Puget Sound area, with regular overnight travel required.

Customer Interactions: 

• Interacts with co-workers from WDFW and Tribes, commercial harvester or fishers, salmon buyers, fish processors, recreational anglers and shellfishers.
• Interact with the public during data collection and provide basic information regarding fisheries resources, sport fishing regulations and agency programs and activities. May include interactions with individuals experiencing anger, distress, or frustration.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science or environmental science.

AND

Three (3) years professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.

OR

Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Please Note:  

• A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute two (2) years of the required experience.
• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Experience:  
Two (2) years of supervisory experience.
 

Certifications/Licenses: 
Valid Drivers License. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• WDFW New Supervisor Training within six (6) months of hire.
• HIS First Aid/CPR within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Master’s Degree, or a higher-level degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or a related field.
• Twelve (12) months of experience creel and/or sampling sport and commercial fisheries.
• The ability to identify salmon, marine fish, and shellfish fish species found in Puget Sound.
• Familiarity with salmon life history, Puget Sound sport fishing regulations and commercial and sport fishing methods and gear.
• Advanced computer software skills using Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams) and Smartsheet.
• Knowledge of WDFW administrative, human resources, and payroll procedures and policies.
• High level of organizational skills.
• Experience working with Human Resource processes.

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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-12799.

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