Oil Spill Planning & Response Specialist – F&W Biologist 4 – Permanent – *05565-25

Working Title– Oil Spill Planning & Response Specialist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Habitat Program – Protection Division
Duty Station– *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
*Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station located in Olympia, Washington as needed.  The selected candidate may be able to telework/work remotely up to 4 days per week at the discretion of the supervisor.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Embrace this role to serve as a senior biologist and an agency expert on directing and developing response activities to prevent oil spill damage to fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will independently direct, develop, evaluate, manage, and implement statewide plans and policies to protect fish, wildlife, and their habitats relative to oil spills.

You are excited to use your biological expertise to conduct resource assessments, and in the development of regulations, related to oil spills.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Oil spill response planning.

• Serves as a senior biologist and the agency’s statewide expert on directing and developing response and damage assessment activities to protect and restore fish, wildlife, and their habitats from the impacts of oils spills.
• Works with Federal and State government Trustees along with wildlife response service providers, Tribal, and private interest groups to develop cooperative response plans.
• Participates in team efforts to develop, update, and improve geographic response plans to provide protection to sensitive natural resources in collaboration with state and federal trustees and other stakeholders in the planning process.
• Reviews and comments on industry, state, and federal strategic and tactical plans, administrative rules, and other documents that govern oil spill response in Washington.

General spill team member responsibilities.

• Standby: Serve as team “Duty Officer” in rotation with other team members as assigned (typically one-week (24/7) rotations). The Duty Officer is responsible for determining potential risk to fish and wildlife resources from spills and providing response recommendations as appropriate.
• Initial response activities: Participate in initial response activities as needed. These may include reconnaissance efforts (air, land, and water) and early sampling activities to assess risks and to document injuries to fish and wildlife resources.
• Cross-Training: Work with other team members to maintain the ability to help fulfill WDFW roles in the Incident Command System.
• Drills: Participate in Worst Case Discharge and deployment oil spill drills as assigned.
• Reoccurring meetings: Meet with response partners and division for reoccurring meetings focused on collaboration and training.
• Maintenance: Assist in the routine maintenance of the team equipment as required.
• Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA): Individual team members issue emergency HPAs associated with oil spill response activities.

Oil spill response.

• Represents the Department as a technical expert for fish and wildlife issues during spills. Provides technical expertise and logistical support for natural resource protection, wildlife rescue, and resource damage assessment activities during spill response.
• Provides fish and wildlife expertise and technical support to the Incident Command System primarily within the Wildlife Branch or Environmental Unit. Provides analysis and recommendations to ensure that the needs of fish and wildlife are given sufficient consideration.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Although the position works primarily in an office setting, the work requires the ability to work in field locations, including working in boats, planes, and sometimes helicopters. This position may be exposed to, and work in, oiled environments under adverse weather conditions. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 40 hours/week.  Position may be required to work additional work hours and outside of normal business hours. Standby Requirement: This position is responsible to be on standby in rotation with other team members for seven-day (24 hours/day) duty cycles.

Travel requirements: This position may require occasional overnight travel for up to several nights. 

Customer Interactions: Interacts with state, federal, tribal, and local governmental entities. In addition, routinely interacts with representatives of petroleum companies, contractors, environmental NGOs, and wildlife response service providers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:  Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.

Option 2:  A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.

Option 3:  A Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and four (4) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.

Option 4: A Ph.D. in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.

Option 5:  Nine (9) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.

License:  Valid automobile driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Residency – Must have the ability to arrive at the Natural Resources Building (in Olympia), ready to conduct extended field operations, within one (1) hour of notification while on rotation.
• Successful completion of the following courses: Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 700 within the first 90 days of employment. ICS 300 is also required and needs to be successfully completed within one year of employment.
• Successful completion of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard Program (HazWoper) 40-hour training within the first 90 days of employment. An annual 8-hour refresher is required.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.
• WDFW flight safety training, within one year of employment and as mandated by WDFW PRO 2006.
• NOAA Science of Oil Spills training within one year of employment.
• NOAA Aerial Observation of Oil Spills within one year of employment.
• All other agency-required training as appropriate for this position.
• “Duty Officer” rotations – While serving as the team “Duty Officer,” the position will need to restrict personal movements and behavior such that they remain capable of performing required duties outside of normal work hours, including weekends and holidays.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Knowledge of fish and wildlife biology and ecology (particularly of fish and wildlife species that are dependent on aquatic ecosystems).
• Knowledge of effects and risks of oil and hazardous substances on fish, wildlife, and habitats.
• Familiarity with spill response techniques and the Incident Command System.
• Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of spill response technologies and their potential impacts on natural resources.
• Experience operating within a dynamic emergency environment, including making decisions that direct the activities of others.
• Familiarity with wildlife rehabilitation techniques (capture and rehabilitation).
• Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
• Knowledge of the Hydraulic Code (RCW 77.55, WAC 220-660) and issuance of emergency HPAs.
• Communication: Effectively conveys ideas and information through the written and spoken word using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience.

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 (3) 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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05565.

Follow us on social media: 
LinkedIn tendersglobal.net Facebook tendersglobal.net Instagram