Title- Aquatic Data Analyst
Classification- IT Data Management – Journey
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Information Technology Services (ITS) – Biological Data Systems Team
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- While this position offers a hybrid work arrangement, the successful candidate must be available to report to the Olympia, WA headquarters as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join the Biological Data Systems (BDS) unit within WDFW’s Information Technology Services (ITS) Division and play a vital role in supporting long-term scientific monitoring efforts through advanced data systems. 

This position leads the design and maintenance of PostgreSQL and Geographic Information System (GIS) databases, driving the technical foundation for the Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS). 

By managing and developing tools for contaminant monitoring data, you will  directly support efforts to track toxic contaminants and their harmful effects in Puget Sound organisms for the purpose of guiding the recovery of Puget Sound ecosystem health. 
 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Aquatic Data Analyst will,

Database Management - Design, develop, maintain, and enhance data applications, web services and databases:

• Consult with subject-matter experts and application users (e.g., TBiOS Biologists and Research Scientists) to translate current data needs and legacy systems into modern data frameworks.
• Use programming languages to develop and maintain applications for data collection, editing and viewing during field surveys.
• Write and maintain code to automate workflows and transform source data into agency-compatible formats using R, Python, and Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Program stored procedures, views, and triggers to append/update records for enterprise PostgreSQL databases and applications.
• Serve as the database systems knowledge expert.
• Develop or customize front-end interfaces to allow users to display, query and extract data.
• Help TBiOS staff access data by developing complex SQL queries.
• Perform backlog data ingestion and Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) from Excel files (e.g., legacy chemistry data), transforming and loading records in structured databases.
• Manage Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure components relevant to TBiOS.

Data Analysis - manage, process, and perform advanced spatial and/or temporal analyses of and reporting on toxic contaminants in Puget Sound biota:

• Manage, analyze, and report on TBiOS contaminant data.
• Manage ArcGIS Online hosted feature services and ArcGIS Server (feature and map services), spatial views and web maps.
• Perform spatial analyses.
• Create custom statistical and geostatistical processing models, scripts, and ArcGIS tools.
• Create maps, figures and reports of spatial data.
• Perform appropriate verification, validation, and quality control.
• Create technical documentation (metadata).

Technical Support - provide technical training, documentation, and support to TBiOS scientists on the use of specialized software and hardware and TBiOS data:

• Work with TBiOS staff to gather requirements, provide recommendations on solutions, and create products that meet program and/or project needs.
• Develop and maintain “user help” documentation.
• Author and maintain technical documentation.
• Provide training and consultation to end users.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues and technical problems.
   

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Duties are primarily performed in an office setting.
• Occasional field work in an outside, natural environment to support species surveys. Field studies may involve working on boats, or walking along Puget Sound shorelines, sometimes at night or during inclement weather.
• The incumbent may be asked to lift heavy objects (e.g., ice-filled coolers).
• Hazards of field operations may include motion sickness, slipping and falling on boat decks, shoreline rocks, and injury from handling fish and invertebrates possessing spines or claws.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Schedule:
Typically, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, flexibility in work schedule may be required in order to respond to dynamic project requirements and/or priorities.

Travel Requirements:
Some travel is required to participate in training, field work and professional conferences.

Tools and Equipment:
Computer hardware and software, geographic information software (GIS), enterprise database systems, and mobile data collection applications. May be required to assist with sampling fish, macro invertebrates, or plankton, using nets or other sampling devices

Customer Interactions:
Provide technical support to TBiOS staff.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree with major coursework in one or more of the following areas: Computer Science, Information Technology, Geographic Information Systems, Natural Resource Science, Ecology, Biology, Chemistry, or closely related field.

AND 

Four (4) years of professional experience in Information Technology in all of the following, experience may be gained concurrently:

• Data management.
• Programming and data analysis using scripting languages including Python or R.
• Working with JavaScript.
• Maintaining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ESRI ArcGIS product suite or similar GIS software.

AND all of the following:

• Knowledge of and demonstrated use of relational databases and querying records using Structured Query Language (SQL).
• Proficiency in JavaScript web development frameworks, with demonstrated experience using Angular or similar technologies.

Please Note:

• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
• A relevant master’s degree or doctoral degree may be substituted for the required professional experience on a year-by-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Master’s Degree (MS) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Quantitative Ecology, Computer Science, Environmental Toxicology or similar.

Experience with:

• ArcGIS Server map and feature services, web-based data entry and editing, ArcGIS REST API, and ArcGIS API for Python.
• Wide range of Esri desktop software and Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online (AGOL), AGOL web maps, AGOL hosted applications, Survey123, Field Maps, etc.
• Standard field data collection activities, survey techniques, and sampling protocols with focus on data management.
• Mobile devices including smartphones, tablets, ruggedized computers, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units, radio-telemetry GPS collars, and other data logging devices.
• Deploying and managing applications in AWS and configuring cloud resources.
• Environmental toxicology data and analysis (e.g., mixed effects models, geospatial analyses, time trends, Bayesian statistics).

Knowledge:

• Understanding of analytical chemistry data and the associated QA/QC data management needs.

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 #2025-03417.

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