Ecotoxicology Research Scientist – Fish & Wildlife Research Scientist 1 – Permanent – 2025-08390

Title- Ecotoxicology Research Scientist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Research Scientist 1 (RS1)
Job Status– Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Marine Fish Science Division – Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) Unit
Duty Station– Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about protecting the health of Puget Sound and the aquatic species that call it home? Join our Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) team, a long-term contaminant monitoring program dedicated to tracking toxic pollutants and understanding their effects on aquatic life.

As our Ecotoxicology Research Scientist, you will  design and manage ecotoxicological studies that inform real-world actions to remediate toxics and safeguard fish health in the Puget Sound ecosystem. 

As a key consultant on contaminant effects, you’ll focus on guiding remediation and recovery efforts primarily in benthic habitats, leading both field and laboratory research, analyzing data using statistical models, and communicating findings through reports, publications, and presentations. 

Your critical work will directly influence decisions that protect and restore Puget Sound’s vital aquatic resources.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Ecotoxicology Research Scientist will,

Design, Plan, and Manage Ecotoxicological Research Studies:

• Determine contaminant research and analyses needs.
• Oversee evaluation of contaminant status and trends in the ecosystem and the harm they may cause to organisms.
• Analyze and interpret ecotoxicological data (e.g., analytical chemistry, stable isotopes, metabolomics), and life history data to evaluate the sources of toxic contaminants in the ecosystem, and the harm contaminants may cause to their health and viability.
• Oversee, implement, and manage all aspects of ecotoxicological research studies including staffing, budgeting, proposal writing, data acquisition and management, and oversight of field and lab activities.

Communicate Complex Scientific and Technical Information:

• Advise and consult on regional contaminant-related technical committees, planning and advisory panels, and management teams focused on remediating environmental toxics to help recover the Puget Sound ecosystem.
• Develop recommendations to inform and impact management actions intended to reduce contaminant exposure for aquatic species in Puget Sound.
• Publish ecotoxicological research findings in peer-reviewed journals, technical reports and other outlets.

Program Effectiveness – Work with TBiOS Team leadership to Ensure Program Effectiveness:

• Supervise the Biologist 3 leading the English sole monitoring survey and provide technical guidance and oversight related to English sole work products.
• Develop a research and work plan that identifies monitoring and research priorities and addresses information gaps and uncertainties resulting from findings from on-going TBiOS monitoring and regional contaminant research studies.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Field: 

• Assist with the collection of fish or invertebrates from boats and along the Puget Sound shoreline which may include living on a boat for up to a week at a time, working in inclement weather, navigating rough seas that may cause motion sickness.
• Conduct shoreline and nighttime sampling in remote, rocky, or muddy areas, occasionally lifting heavy objects such as ice-filled coolers and baskets of fish on moving decks.
• Fish handled by staff may possess sharp or venomous spines or bite and assist with deploying and retrieving sampling nets from boat or shore.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Lab/Office: 

• Dissections and sample creation may occur in a mobile laboratory set up on a boat or an off-site location but mostly will occur at the NRB Marine Resources Lab.
• Haul frozen samples in and out of a walk-in freezer and may handle chemicals including formalin, alcohol, and various acids.
• Use of sharp instruments such as scalpels, knives, and syringes.

Schedule: 40 hours per week, the standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.

Travel Requirements: Travel is required at infrequent intervals to attend meetings or to conduct fieldwork.  This work requires driving long distances throughout western Washington, sometimes at night.  During field surveys, the incumbent may spend up to five (5) days away from home on a boat or in motels.

Tools and Equipment: Duties require the use of standard office equipment, lab equipment (e.g., scalpels, syringes, meat grinders), field gear (PFDs, waders, botts, raingear) and field equipment (e.g., small boats and outboard motors, beach seines, lampara seines).

Customer Interactions: Frequent contact with various representatives from local, state, federal agencies, tribes and non-governmental organizations, as well as the occasional interactions with public (e.g., recreational fishers).

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1:

• A Doctoral degree with a major in statistics, biometrics, ecotoxicology, ecology, or closely allied fields.

Option 2:

• A Master’s degree in statistics, biometrics, ecotoxicology, ecology, or closely allied fields, with emphasis on statistical tools required to analyze temporal and spatial data.

AND

• Two (2) years of professional experience using statistical or mathematical procedures to analyze spatial and temporal trends, design and conducting ecological research studies, and communicate scientific findings.

Option 3:

• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

In addition to the required three (3) options noted above, the successful candidate must also have the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• Expert knowledge of ecotoxicology principles as they relate to Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) goals and work activities.
• Understanding of the chemical contaminants Puget Sound biota are exposed to, including legacy pollutants and emerging contaminants, their ecological impacts, and quality assurance considerations associated with this type of data.
• Robust understanding of how life-history traits influence contaminant exposure and biological effects.
• Experience developing and implementing analytical approaches to investigate contaminant-related research questions and interpreting contaminant data using evidence-based methods.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Successful completion of mandatory, job-related training and/or certification—such as safety, equipment operation, fieldwork procedures, and/or emergency management—may be required as a condition of employment, depending on position responsibilities, supervisory direction, and training availability.
• Employees may also be required to participate in safety courses, committees, or groups, and complete recertification as needed to support the safety of the agency and its personnel.

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

Experience:

• Experience with descriptive, comparative, and advanced statistical or modeling approaches.
• Expertise with statistical programming languages and/or platforms such as R.
• Demonstrated success in writing scientific reports and peer-reviewed research articles.
• Experience presenting research findings at scientific conferences and to general audiences.
• Experience working in a team setting, coordinating interests and skills among TBiOS team members, and engendering respect and collegiality in the team.
• Proficiency in setting and achieving interim project milestones consistent with long-term research priorities.

Ability to:

• Evaluate multiple sources of information, including data generated by the individual and the scientific literature, to write clear and concise scientific narratives.
• Clearly articulate scientific concepts and facts, both orally and in writing.
• Set clear project objectives, develop a work plan and meet deadlines.
• Develop contracts, plan expenditures and track budgets.

Skills:

• Aptitude for critical thinking, intellectual autonomy, and crafting precise language.
• Aptitude for using background language and concepts appropriate for each target audience.

Include the items below with your Application materials:

• 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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-08390.

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