Noxious Weed Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 – Permanent – *04816-24

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
NOXIOUS WEED BIOLOGIST
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2

Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Do you have experience controlling noxious weeds and invasive vegetation?

Use predefined methodologies and plans to preserve and create habitats.

Supervise the Montesano weed crew and is responsible for implementing Spartina eradication efforts and other restoration/enhancement projects in Region 6 by collecting and analyzing data, maintaining equipment and working with regional partners.

In this dynamic role, you will gather vegetation data using predefined survey procedures and methods, and analyze it to determine the effectiveness of weed control and its implication for habitat restoration and species of concern.

With your experience, you will develop initial reports of finding and makes recommendations to the Noxious Weed Coordinator to make strategic changes in weed management to achieve habitat and conservation objectives.

Duties:

Here are some things you will do in this role: 
Implements field projects to control noxious weed and other vegetation in order to restore/enhance fish and wildlife habitat: 

• Works with the Noxious Weed Coordinator to identify weed projects of regional importance and organizes, schedules, and implements those projects through active participation and use of integrated pest management.
• Conducts and delegates Spartina eradication duties for Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor to the Pest Biologist 1 and tracks the progress and success of those efforts.
• Coordinates with wildlife area managers, as well as other federal, tribal, state, county agencies and NGOs to partner on weed projects.
• Operates specialized equipment such as airboats, drones, and amphibious tractors.

Maintains and repairs equipment: 

• Diagnoses and repairs specialized equipment such as airboats, amphibious tractors, and trailers to ensure safe and reliable operation in the field.
• Performs routine maintenance and repair of vehicles, pumps, and other equipment to ensure the safe, timely and reliable operation in the field.

Leadership duties and other administrative duties: 

• Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of staff adjusting assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels for project workloads.
• Evaluates employee performance and prepares performance appraisals.
• Purchases equipment and goods and services according to Department policies and completes fiscal paperwork in a timely manner.
• Completes timesheets and travel paperwork in a timely manner for themselves and approves their employees’ paperwork.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work in the field approximately 60% of the time.
  • Field work is performed in a variety of habitats, including the intertidal regions of Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, in all weather conditions.
  • Walk over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and mud. Bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 40 pounds and load and transport gear which may exceed 40 pounds.
  • Must also be willing to work with pesticides.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 
• Schedule:
  • Monday – Friday, 40 hours/week.
  • Start times are set by the best available tides and may require early morning starts for weed work.
  • Incumbent is expected to adjust his/her work schedule to meet project needs to include evening and weekend work.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Some projects in other areas of the state require occasional weekend travel and stay for up to a week at a time.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Operate small mechanical equipment such as brush cutters; operate chemical application equipment; supervise use and maintenance of equipment; remove seedlings and small clones by hand; operate specialized equipment such as a 4-wheel drive trucks, swamp buggies, airboats, motorboats, drones, and all-terrain vehicles.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interaction with other agencies and the public will occur; regularly explain weed control work to the public.

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:

• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for the required experience.

License:

• Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Motorboat operator training course (MOTC) within 6 months of hire.
• Public applicator pesticide applicator’s license with an aquatic and turf & ornamental endorsement within 3 months of hire.
• Obtain FAA drone operator license when available.

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

• Supervising and managing field crews to complete field projects.
• Operating boats and airboats in marine environments 
• Operating amphibious tractors, mowers, and other machinery.
• Applying herbicide application 
• Trailering equipment.
• Maintaining and repairing equipment.
• Collecting data using GPS devices and using programs to map data.
• Using collected data and other information to write reports.
• Flying drones.
• Using Microsoft Office.

Ability to:

• Think creatively and be innovative.
• Work independently and as a member of a team.

Familiarity with:

• The marine environment and wetland biology/botany.
• Aquatic invasive species management principles and procedures.
• Integrated pest management principles.

Certifications & Trainings:

• Motorboat operator training course (MOTC).
• Public applicator pesticide applicator’s license with an aquatic and turf & ornamental endorsement.
• Drone pilot license.

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 [email protected].
• 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 [email protected].  
• 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 [email protected] , 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 [email protected].

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