European Green Crab Regional Biologist – Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2 – Permanent – 2025-06472

Title- European Green Crab Regional Biologist
Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2
Job Status– Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program– Fish Management Program – Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division
Duty Station– Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Play a key role in protecting Washington’s waters by preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) as part of the AIS Prevention Program.

This journey-level biologist position focuses on early detection, monitoring, research, and removal of AIS – particularly European Green Crab (EGC). 

In this role, you will supervise Scientific Technician 2s and lead field operations supporting AIS-related projects. Your work will directly contribute to preventing new AIS introductions, responding rapidly to detections, and containing, controlling, or eradicating established priority species.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the European Green Crab Regional Biologist will,

Perform European Green Crab (EGC) Management Actions:

• Train staff to properly conduct EGC monitoring using established protocols.
• Coordinate with agency partners, tribal co-managers, and other entities (e.g., Washington Sea Grant, Northwest Straits Commission, Lummi Nation, Shoalwater Bay Tribe, Pacific County) conducting EGC work.
• Plan and implement early detection, monitoring, assessments, rapid responses, control/removal, and research trapping efforts for EGC throughout marine intertidal and subtidal habitats, following established procedures.
• Conduct surveys to determine relative abundance, distribution, and population trends of EGC.
• Organize and conduct intensive EGC removal trapping efforts in coordination with federal, state, local, and tribal governments, stakeholders, and volunteers.
• Develop initial reports of data collected and provide recommendations to higher level fish and wildlife staff for management actions.
• Maintain records and prepare detailed summary reports and conduct high-level quality control and quality assurance (QC/QA) on all data.
• Assist in organization and facilitation of regional EGC technical working group meetings.
• Participate in EGC technical working group meetings providing regional expertise, support, and advice under direct supervision.
• Ensure consistent QC/QA procedures are applied to all EGC-related data.

Supervise and Mentor Staff:

• Supervise Scientific Technician 2s in assessments throughout Washington’s marine waters.
• Supervise Scientific Technician 2s conducting EGC field efforts.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 80% field and 20% office.
• Hike 2 to 3 miles per day while carrying up to a 50-pound dry bag or frame pack across Washington’s diverse marine environments, including intertidal habitats such as marshes, channels, and mudflats.
• Field hazards may include uneven terrain, stinging vegetation, insects, biting and pinching animals, and encounters with wildlife.
• Usually part of a team, sometimes working independently, in remote locations, following strict adherence to call in and out procedures.
• Duties may be performed during inclement weather, both day and night.
• May operate both motorized (e.g., airboats, aluminum boats under 26’, rigid inflatables) and non-motorized (e.g., kayaks, inflatables, canoes) watercrafts, depending on experience.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Workweek will typically be the first 40 hours of work per week (24/7). May require occasional work outside regular hours, including holidays and weekends, and respond on short notice to rapid response AIS emergencies.

Travel Requirements: Frequent statewide travel and overnight stays up to five (5) days.

Tools and Equipment: Desktops, laptops, smart phones, electronic tablets, electronic software forms, PFDs, and field gear (e.g., 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: Regularly interact with the public while conducting fieldwork. May occasionally encounter uncooperative or non-compliant individuals. Coordinate regularly with tribal co-managers and conduct work on tribal lands.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and One (1) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

Please Note:

• Professional equivalent experience in aquatic invasive species, fish, wildlife, or natural resource management may substitute for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• A Master’s degree or Ph.D. degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) Certification.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• Washington State Boater Education Card (within 1 month of hire).
• First Aid Certification (within 6 months of hire).
• Watercraft Inspection Training Levels I / II (within 6 months of hire).
• Incident Command System (ICS) Training: 100, 200, 700, 800 (virtual), and 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:

• A 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.
• One (1) year of experience in the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) field.
• One (1) year of experience managing and monitoring European green crab populations.
• Preparing comprehensive written reports.
• With database construction, management, and routine analysis functions.
• Managing a heavy workload effectively.
• Operating and/or working in and around boats, trailers, etc.
• Towing/trailering boats and/or trailers (e.g., cargo trailers, trailered decontamination units).
• Using handheld data collection devices (e.g., smartphones, iPads) in the field and entering data using platforms such as iForms, Survey 123, and Quick Capture.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (e.g., Access, Teams, Excel, PowerApps).
• Using ESRI products and any other online mapping tools.
• Identifying invasive and native crab species.
• Identifying species using a taxonomic key or field guide.
• Humanely euthanize invasive species.
• With aquatic invasive species management principles and procedures.
• Developing, implementing, and managing statewide biological studies and management actions.

Certifications / Licenses:

• Washington State Boater Education Card or equivalent.
• CPR / First Aid / AED Certified.
• Watercraft Inspection Training (WIT) Levels I / II.
• Incident Command System (ICS) Training: 100, 200, 300, 700, and 800.

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 Diana.Humes@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: 2025-1234 – 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 job #2025- 05363.

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