European Green Crab Management Unit Lead – Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 – Permanent – *00319-25

Title– European Green Crab (EGC) Management Unit Lead
Classification– Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4
Job Status– Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program– Fish Program – Aquatic Invasive Species Division 
Duty Station– Olympia Washington is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, other duty stations in Western Washington may be considered.
Remote Employment– While this position offers a hybrid work arrangement, the successful candidate must be available to report to the assigned duty station as needed.
Posting Timeframe– This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until February 9, 2025. The first review of applications will take place on January 24, 2025.  Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be closed at any time.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

 Join the Fish Program’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division as the European Green Crab (EGC) Management Unit Lead and take on a pivotal role in safeguarding our state’s waters. 

As an expert biologist, you will lead efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species, focusing on EGC through early detection, monitoring, and rapid response strategies. 

In this dynamic position, you’ll manage critical resource assessments, and collaborate across various stakeholders to protect Washington’s marine nearshore ecosystems. 

Directly influence program decisions and contribute to controlling, containing, and eradicating invasive EGC populations, ensuring the long-term health of our aquatic environments.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the European Green Crab (EGC) Management Unit Lead will,

European Green Crab (EGC) Management Unit Oversight:

• Lead work planning and implementation for the EGC management unit, independently prioritizing, planning, executing, and evaluating all EGC field work.
• Serve as the program’s expert on EGC biology, ecology, and field operations.
• Independently plan, develop, design, and evaluate EGC prevention, early detection, rapid response, control, eradication, and research actions.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and represent the Department on EGC technical committees, regional coordination groups and other forums.
• Work with co-managers, tribes, and partners (e.g. Washington Sea Grant, Lummi Nation, Northwest Straits Commission, Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, Willapa Grays Harbor Oyster Grower Association, jobshiringnearme.org Districts, etc.) to support and/or collaborate on EGC field operations.

Supervise EGC Regional Biologists:

• Supervise EGC Regional Fish and Wildlife Biologists, and mentors technical and professional level staff to maintain an effective, motivated team.
• Set team goals and objectives for the year, develops performance measures, and monitors progress to ensure individual and program objectives are met.

Support EGC Field Operations:

• Work with regional biologists to develop and maintain training materials, curriculum, onboarding processes and protocols for WDFW field technicians and partners.
• Collaborate with partners to develop local response plans to guide management actions associated with new detections of EGC.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Approximately 30% field and 70% office. Field work includes outdoor activities on water and land, sometimes independently in remote locations, and occasionally during inclement weather, both day and night.
• Walk up to five (5) miles on uneven terrain, rarely lift up to 75 pounds, and safely transport and operate large equipment, including cargo trailers up to 25-feet.
• Operate motorized and non-motorized watercraft.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: 
Typically follows normal business hours: 8 hours/day, Monday – Friday for office work, and 10 hours/day, Monday – Thursday for fieldwork, totaling 40 hours/week. However, the position may occasionally require extended hours, work outside normal business hours, including holidays and weekends, and short-notice responses to rapid response AIS emergencies.

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

Tools and Equipment: 
Personal computer, laptop, smart phone, electronic tablet, and electronic software form. Complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices. 25-foot cargo trailer, watercraft, flatbed trailer, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered pressure washers.

Customer Interactions: 
Regularly engage with the public through outreach, educational events, presentations, and monitoring activities. Occasionally handle interactions with non-compliant or challenging individuals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences. 

AND 

Three (3) years of experience in a natural resources-related field, this experience must include at least one (1) year of experience in invasive species management.

AND

At least one (1) year of experience managing a team.

Please Note:

• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• *Master’s degree in one (1) of the above fields may substitute for one (1) year of experience.
• *PhD in one (1) of the above fields may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
  • *Education will not substitute for the invasive species management experience unless the major or thesis is specific to invasive species.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

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.

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

Job Knowledge of:

• Principles and procedures of project management and Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) management.
• Developing, implementing, and managing statewide biological studies and management actions.
• Preparing comprehensive reports.

Ability to:

• Define research problems and determine the type and extent of information needed.
• Plan, design, and initiate independent experimental research.
• Implement the results of research findings.
• Analyze environmental information to apply solutions, guidelines, and policies for field problems.
• Lead strategic planning, manage performance, and motivate teams effectively.
• Use software such as Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and ArcGIS.
• Perform routine descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Accurately measure and record environmental and biological data.
• Analyze and summarize research findings.

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 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 #2025-00319.

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