Priority Habitat & Species (PHS) Near Shore Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4- Perm- *08017-24
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
PRIORITY HABITAT & SPECIES (PHS) NEAR SHORE BIOLOGIST
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 4
Habitat Program – Ecosystem Services Division
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
This position may be eligible for telework. The default assigned work location for this position is in Olympia, Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.
Be our expert-level Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) Nearshore biologist! In this role, your work will make lasting contributions to the department’s goals to conserve and enhance resilient Nearshore habitat in Washington state.
The PHS Nearshore Biologist is the technical lead on nearshore mapping and planning.
Use your technical expertise to develop spatial data that can help land use planners and land managers identify and protect nearshore habitat.
Develop guidance that will provide practical strategies for protecting and enhancing nearshore habitat and help develop practical applications for nearshore conservation through land use planning in both urban and rural settings.
With your experience, you will provide expert support to natural resource practitioners, land use planners, and WDFW staff.
The optimal applicant has excellent spatial analysis skills and understands the principles of nearshore management and habitat conservation in the context of land use planning.
We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties:
Here are some things you will do in this role:
Incorporate spatial data identifying priority Near Shore habitat locations in Washington state into the PHS framework:
- PHS spatial data is directly used by land use planners, consultants, and developers to identify critical fish and wildlife conservation areas and identify where it is necessary to avoid, minimize, and mitigate development impacts.
- Translate new or existing or Near Shore data into a format appropriate to PHS applications.
- Develop technical documentation of methods used to create spatial data.
- Develop user guides for application of Near Shore data.
- Develop management recommendations for protecting Near Shore habitat priorities in the land use and transportation planning context.
Identify spatial data identifying priority Near Shore habitat locations in Washington state:
- Identify appropriate existing spatial data identifying Near Shore habitat location and condition.
- Evaluate and make recommendations about existing spatial data relative to the Best Available Science standard defined in Washington state code (WAC 365-195-915).
- Maintain current knowledge of Near Shore science, modeling, policy, and practices within and outside Washington state to identify Best Available Science for identifying priority Near Shore habitat in Washington.
- Engage and collaborate with scientists and modelers developing, reviewing, or revising Near Shore models or technical prioritization efforts relevant to Near Shore habitats in Washington.
Provide technical assistance on the development and application of Near Shore habitat data in the context of land use planning and land management:
- Provide technical assistance on the applications of PHS Near Shore data to internal and external users in the context of local land use planning, transportation planning, growth management, shoreline management.
- Communicate the value and importance of Near Shore habitat, the current state of Best Available Science on Near Shore, and the value and application of PHS tools supporting Near Shore internally and externally.
- Develop and provide training and outreach materials to facilitate understanding and implementation of management recommendations.
- Assimilate expertise on Near Shore habitat protection and restoration and communicate best practices.
Represent the agency in a technical capacity on efforts to create new Near Shore data products and strategies:
- Participate in research activities including data collection, evaluation, and analysis to identify priority locations for Near Shore habitat protection, restoration, and enhancement.
- Participate in working groups developing Near Shore data products, priorities, and implementation strategies.
- Produce or co-produce materials and written deliverables (e.g., reports, maps, toolkits, white papers, and academic articles) with a focus on Near Shore science.
- Attend and present Near Shore data and concepts at meetings, conferences, and workshops.
Maintain spatial data identifying priority Near Shore locations in Washington state:
- Review on-going, current Near Shore science and modeling to ensure that PHS data meet the Best Available Science standard defined in Washington state code (WAC 365-195-915).
- Review and revise spatial Near Shore priorities as needed to continue to meet the Best Available Science standard defined in Washington state code (WAC 365-195-915).
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- Typical office setting. 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.
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Schedule:
- Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Partial remote work options available.
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Travel Requirements:
- Expected travel for meetings and field trips to review project proposals and implementation 5-10% of time.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Office equipment, computers, monitors, specialized software.
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Customer Interactions:
- Division and Section level management; other WDFW programs; Regional Habitat Program staff; city and county planning staff/directors; consultants; other state agency staff, natural resource, and conservation non-governmental organization partners.
Qualifications:
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, conservation biology, landscape ecology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science or management, environmental science, or related field.
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Please note:
- Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
- A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
- A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
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Please note:
And
- Five (5) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
Or
- Four years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.
License:
- Valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Demonstrated experience working in Near Shore habitat.
- Relevant experience includes field research, spatial modeling or analysis, remote sensing, and/or natural resources management work experience within a university, local government, environmental or conservation organization, consulting firm, or state or federal natural resources agency.
- Expert knowledge of landscape ecology, conservation biology, conservation planning, or similar discipline.
- Expert knowledge of Near Shore science and modeling approaches.
- Demonstrated ability to use GIS and execute basic spatial analytical tasks in a GIS framework including knowledge of ArcGIS desktop and ArcGIS Online software.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and explain spatial data characteristics and applications.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct spatial analysis and manage large databases.
- Ability to synthesize complex spatial information and develop analyses in written and visual form.
- Ability to perform complex geoprocessing and manipulate large datasets using scripts.
- Knowledge of Python and SQL scripting.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to policy makers, planners, or other non-scientists.
- Knowledge of principles, methods, and objectives of urban and natural resources planning.
Supplemental Information:
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and 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 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 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 Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following Benefits:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.
Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.
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 Cheri.Weld@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 Cheri.Weld@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.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
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.