Ballast Water and Biofouling Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Bio 3 – Permanent – *06807-24

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
BALLAST WATER AND BIOFOULING BIOLOGIST
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 3

Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species Division
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

This recruitment is open until July 21, and the first review of applicants will take place the week of July 1. Application review will be ongoing, and therefore we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once selections have been made.

This position serves as a senior level biologist on statewide ballast water and biofouling issues and works under general direction of policy and leadership staff to plan, develop, and design biological studies, research, resource assessments or resource management and provide the analysis, assessment, and interpretation of the results and preparation of final written reports that have a direct impact on key section decisions. 

In addition, this position serves as an independent specialist on commercial vessel ballast water and biofouling issues statewide. Successful implementation of Ballast Water and Biofouling Section operational activities support a broad range of aquatic environmental, economic, and human cultural and health resource protections including salmon recovery and hydropower dam production while protecting human safety, minimizing adverse environmental impacts, and minimizing adverse economic impacts to owners of affected water bodies or property.

Duties:

Here is what you will be doing, 

Vessel Compliance: 

• Develop and implement, under general direction, a commercial vessel compliance strategy under Department POL-5213 “Assessing and Enforcing Compliance with the State Ballast Water Management Code” including improving data management infrastructure, enhancing vessel inspection risk classification and compliance selection processes, and developing a ballast water treatment system compliance inspection regime.
• Coordinate with vessel inspectors on compliance investigations and documentation of evidence of compliance or non-compliance.

Biofouling Management: 

• Develop and implement a commercial vessel biofouling strategy including prevention measures, risk-based management protocols, an integrated regulatory structure, and applied research.
• Coordinate with the Department of Ecology to develop and implement a permitting process for vessel in-water cleaning requests.
• Coordinate with the Department of Ecology to develop and implement an in-water cleaning and capture strategy.

Data Management:

• Supervise data management staff to develop and implement performance measures for data collection, data integrity, database infrastructure, quality control objectives.
• Compile, analyze, and interpret data, develop conclusions and recommendations for management, research or mitigation needs, and prepare quarterly and annual reports.
• Coordinate with vessel inspectors and regional state partners on developing and implementing a vessel risk classification and compliance inspection selection process.

Biological Monitoring:

• Coordinate with vessel inspectors on developing and implementing biological testing for compliance with ballast water discharge and treatment standards.
• Secure internal or external funding through development of budget requests, grant and agreement proposals, for review and approval by policy and leadership staff to fund development and implantation as required.

Supervise and Mentor Staff:

• Supervise and mentor technical and professional level staff to support an effective, motivated team.
• Informs 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.
• Monitor and inspect work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work.
• Develop the Performance Development Plan (PDP) for each assigned employee within section; creates or updates position descriptions; monitors and documents employee performance; provides on-going feedback regarding levels of performance and conducts timely and meaningful employee performance evaluations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • 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.
  • The work setting also includes periods of field and travel in potentially hazardous commercial port environments aboard vessels conducting operations.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet business needs.
  • A flexible work schedule will be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval.
  • Telework options may be available.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Some travel is required, and is typically local or regional, to meet with clients, conduct business, or attend or provide training.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Duties require the use of standard office furniture and equipment including a computer, tablet computer, and smart phone device. Use of electronic and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices, and motor vehicles.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Frequent internal and external contact and communications with affected or regulated industries, federal and state agency staff, and the public.
  • Some contact may involve confrontational situations with non-cooperative people.
  • Some interactions will require supervisor or law enforcement assistance during regulatory actions that may result in warnings, or penalties for non-compliance.

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/wildlife/habitat management or research, or closely related management or research field. Of the three (3) years of professional experience, at least one (1) year must be in part A or part B: 

• Commercial shipping regulatory and management operations; commercial vessel operations; commercial vessel and port safety; commercial vessel ballast water management system operations, ballast water management system testing and quality control requirements used for regulatory purposes; or other related commercial vessel inspection and management duties.
• Marine or freshwater aquatic invasive species risk assessment, prevention, regulation or management, ballast water or biofouling pathways; working with landowners or managers, vessel owners, managers, agents, officers or crew; performing field research, sampling, monitoring; or other closely related invasive species duties.

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.

Option 2:

A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND two (2) years as an aquatic invasive species Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must hold a valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by the Transportation Security Administration for workers who need access to secure areas of the nation’s maritime facilities and vessels within 6 months of employment. A valid TWIC credential is required for ongoing employment.
• Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) 300: Intermediate ICS for Expending Incidents within 12 months of employment.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need and?training availability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

Experience in:

• Development of agreements or memoranda of understanding with national, regional, tribal, or local governments.
• Interacting with regulated industry and public, such as recreational boaters or commercial shipping companies.
• Developing and submitting federal funding requests and grant applications.
• Project management and planning.
• Governmental administrative structure at federal and state levels.
• Supervision of staff, both in the field and remote offices.
• Working with invasive species or invasive pest management strategies including rapid response, containment, and long-term management.
• Developing, implementing, and managing large-scale (statewide or greater) biological studies.
• Project or contract management, including experience managing budgets and filling the role of project manager.
• Reviewing, interpreting, and implementing polices and legal authorities.
• Developing short- and long-term work plans, developing metrics and milestones, interpreting trends and activities, and reporting on measurable results.
• Interacting with tribal and local governments, federal agencies, regulated industries, and the public.
• Scientific and technical software, Microsoft o365 suite, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting data, and writing technical reports and briefings for leadership and policy staff.

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 diana.humes@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 diana.humes@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.  

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.

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.

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