European Green Crab Field Operations Lead - Fish & Wildlife Bio 3 - Non-Perm - *10567-24
Title- European Green Crab Field Operations Lead
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent
Appointment/Season Length- 5.5 months – December 2, 2024 – May 15, 2025
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species Unit
Duty Station- *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
*During periods of office work, this position must report to the duty station in Olympia at least one day per week.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Join the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in its mission to protect the state's ecosystems as a senior-level professional biologist in the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Unit. In this role, you will lead field-based management efforts to control European Green Crab (EGC) populations in Washington's nearshore environments.
You’ll oversee long-term monitoring, early detection, and assessment programs, manage field operations for regional biologists and technicians, and contribute to innovative solutions for EGC control. Collaborating with interagency partners, you'll play a vital role in safeguarding marine and freshwater ecosystems against invasive species.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the European Green Crab Field Operations Lead will be responsible for,
European Green Crab (EGC) Field Operations:
- Serves as a program expert on EGC biology and ecology and EGC field related operations.
- Works with EGC Project Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 to implement statewide field operations outlined in the EGC Washington State Management Plan.
- Trains staff to properly conduct EGC field operations using established protocols.
- Consults with higher level professionals when needed to determine best available science for EGC management actions regarding field operations.
- Determines and implements techniques and procedures related to EGC field operations and assists in preparing management reports or proposals based on those activities.
- Coordinates with co-managers, tribes, and partners (i.e., Washington Sea Grant, Lummi Nation, Northwest Straits Commission, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Grower Association, Conservation Districts, etc.) to provide support and/or collaborate on EGC field operations.
- Provides technical support to co-managers, tribes, and partners related to EGC field-based management actions.
Supervision and Mentoring:
- Supervises EGC Regional Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2s.
- Supervises and mentors staff in order to support an effective motivated team.
- Sets goals and objectives, develops strategies to implement, and develops performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and program performance objectives are met.
- Monitors and inspects work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards: Approximately 60% field and 40% office. EGC monitoring is physically demanding, hiking 2 to 3 miles per day and carrying up to a 50-pound dry bag or frame pack throughout Washington’s vast marine environments, including but not limited to, intertidal habitats such as marshes, channels, and mudflats. Potential hazards include uneven terrain, stinging vegetation and insects, biting and pinching animals, and possible encounters with wildlife. Usually part of a team, sometimes working independently (never in the field, but rather at a safe location like a duty station), in remote locations (following strict call in and out procedures), during inclement weather, day and night. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
Schedule: Generally normal business hours 8hrs/day Monday through Friday 40hrs/week during office work and 10hrs/day Monday through Thursday 40hrs/week during field work but may occasionally be required to exceed these hours or work outside of normal business hours during holidays and weekends and may be required to respond on short notice to rapid response AIS emergencies.
Travel Requirements: This position requires frequent statewide travel and overnight stays up to five days at times.
Tools and Equipment: Laptops, smart phones, PFDs, Garmin In-Reach, and field gear (i.e., hip boots, xtratuffs, raingear, dry bag, frame pack). Complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices. 25 foot-cargo trailer, watercrafts, flatbed trailer, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered and hand-pushed pressure washers.
Customer Interactions: Interacts with the public on a regular basis while conducting fieldwork. Occasionally confronted by citizens that are non-compliant or not cooperative. Coordinates regularly with co-managers, tribes, and partners and may work on tribal lands.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research. Twelve semesters or eighteen-quarter hours of specific course work is required for certain positions.
Option 2: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.
Note: A master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute one year of the required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience. Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for the education requirement – this experience must be in aquatic invasive species, fish, wildlife, or natural resource management.
Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
- WA State Boater Education Card (within 1 month of hire)
- First Aid Certification (within 6 months of hire)
- Wilderness First Aid (within 6 months of hire)
- Watercraft Inspection Training Level I/II (within 6 months of hire)
- Incident Command System (ICS) Trainings: 100, 200, 700, 800 (virtual) 300 (in-person) (within 6 months of hire)
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
Education:
- Master’s Degree, or a higher-level degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or a related field
Experience:
- Three (3) years of experience in a natural resources-related field
- Two (2) years of experience in the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) field
- Two (2) years of experience managing and monitoring European green crab populations.
- Development, implementation, and management of statewide biological studies and management actions
- Aquatic invasive species management principles and procedures
- Preparing comprehensive written reports
- Database construction, management, and routine analysis functions
- Operating and/or working in and around boats, trailers, etc.
- Towing/trailering boats and/or trailers (i.e., cargo trailers, trailered decontamination units)
- Using handheld data collection devices (i.e., smartphones, iPads, etc.) in the field and entering data using platforms such as iForms, Survey 123, and Quick Capture
- With MS Office (i.e., Access, Teams, Excel, PowerApps)
- With ESRI products and any other online mapping tools
Familiarity with:
- Defining research problems and determining extent and type of information needed.
- Initiating, planning, and designing independent experimental research.
- Analyzing environmental information to apply solutions, guidelines, and policy to field problems.
- Performance management with accountability and strategic thinking.
Certification & Trainings:
- WA State Boater Education Card or equivalent
- MOTC Certification
- CPR/First Aid/AED Certified
- Wilderness First Aid
- Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination Training (WID) Levels I/II
- Incident Command System (ICS) Training: 100, 200, 300, 700, 800
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application.
- An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- 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 spouses of active-duty military personnel 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 and reference the job number in the subject line.