Scientist - Clinical Research jobs in Olympia, WA

Seattle, Washington is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, other duty stations may be considered.

We are recruiting to fill a position at the Research Scientist 1 or Research Scientist 2 level.  The selected candidate will be hired into either class, based on qualifications - this recruitment does not offer an in-training option.

Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary will be as follows:

Research Scientist 1 - $6,046.00 - $8,133.00 Monthly

Research Scientist 2 - $6,676.00 - $8,976.00 Monthly

Salary listed does not include the 5% premium pay granted to all King County employees.

Lead and direct the improvement of adult Chinook salmon abundance estimation in the Nooksack River basin of Puget Sound.

Conduct research at the forefront of scientific inquiry - requiring the development and application of theoretical, methodological, and analytical concepts.

Develop complex computer simulation models using sophisticated statistical and analytical procedures that result in improved techniques for the management of fisheries resources.

A Large Wild Chinook Salmon prior to Release – Photo Credit: Chase Gunnell

With that in mind,

This is an opportunity to coordinate research within the Fish Program, Science Division, Quantitative Synthesis and Reporting Unit and will be part of the Nooksack regional watershed team.

With your knowledge and innovation, you will explore, examine, develop study plans, and implement study plans for new technologies that go beyond existing abundance estimation methods.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, collaborate with statewide and local networks of scientists and managers, including tribal and federal agency partners (such as NOAA Fisheries), to evaluate and improve data collection, analysis, and estimation.

We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Thirty Pound Chinook Salmon – Photo Credit: Jennene Hurley   

Depending on qualifications, expectations of the position’s duties and level of supervision may vary.

Here is what our Nooksack Spring Chinook Research Scientist will be doing, 

• Implementing improvements in adult Chinook salmon abundance data collection and estimation to better inform conservation, recovery, and management. 
• Assessing adult spring Chinook escapement abundance estimation methodologies.
• In coordination with WDFW staff and tribal co-managers, work to produce, evaluate and improve adult escapement estimates.
• Reviewing and applying as appropriate new methods to improve the recoveries of Coded Wire Tags (CWTs) on the spawning grounds. 
• Identifying and implementing process improvements to expedite the estimation of adult escapement abundance and CWT recoveries.
• Developing collaborative relationships with fellow WDFW staff, Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe tribal co-managers, and other agencies’ staff who monitor salmon and steelhead adult abundance. 
• Being knowledgeable of and providing scientific expertise on methods and analytics of adult salmon abundance estimation.
• Communicating findings and results of work in written and oral formats.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:    
  1. Generally, work is performed in an office environment but includes periods of field work for data collection.  
  2. Telework and hybrid work options are available for this position.
  3. Field work may include working in moving water for extended durations. Walking, floating in rafts, and snorkeling in rivers may occur during surveys. During these surveys, surveyors may walk or swim over slippery and/or unstable rocks, logjams, through and around deep pools, and through thick vegetation. 
  4. Exposure to insects, thorny/spiny vegetation, pollen, inclement weather, and cold or hot conditions may be common. Bending, kneeling, climbing, and occasionally lifting equipment and gear that weighs up to 50 pounds. 
  5. Working in a rural setting, surveyors may encounter unfriendliness from landowners and their pets and possible wildlife encounters.
  6. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:   
  1. The incumbent will generally work in an office environment on a 5-day, 40 hour/week schedule.  
  2. This position also includes periods of field activity and coordination with a broad network of collaborators including those working in the field.  
• Travel Requirements:   
  1. Sporadic travel, primarily within the North Puget Sound region.
• Tools and Equipment:   
  1. Computer, keyboard, mouse, vehicle, cell phone, waders, and wading boots.
• Customer Interactions:          
  1. Tribal co-managers, federal, county, and other government scientists, internal scientists, and other support staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

To qualify at the Research Scientist 1 (RS1) Level:

OR

AND

OR

Please Note: Closely related qualifying professional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

To qualify at the Research Scientist 2 (RS2) Level:

AND

OR

AND

OR

Please Note: Closely related qualifying professional experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Driver’s License. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• Computer coding: Experience coding in and modifying existing code of statistical programming languages and/or platforms including R. 
• Data analysis: Experience with descriptive and comparative statistical approaches.  Knowledge of fish population dynamics.  
• Communication: Experience presenting research findings at scientific conferences and to general audiences.  Aptitude for using background, language, and concepts appropriate for each target audience.  
• Writing: Demonstrated success in writing scientific reports and peer-reviewed research articles.  
• Field experience: Some experience with fisheries sampling techniques in rivers and streams, including electrofishing, rotary screw traps, redd surveys, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags, angling, snorkeling, rafting, and/or wading.  
• Salmonid ecology: Knowledge of salmonid behavior, life history, ecology, and population dynamics.  

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:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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 kaila.daudt@dfw.wa.gov.  
• 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 Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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 support@neogov.com.

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