Title- Ecotoxicological Research Biologist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program - Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) Section
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework-  Candidate will be expected to work on-site in Olympia at least three (3) days per week (60%), with the remaining two (2) days (20%) available for telework.

This position is part of a team with two additional openings. If you’re interested in more than one role, please submit a separate application for each position. Applicants must meet the qualifications listed for each role to be considered.
Scientific Technician 2 – Job #2025-05036
Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 – Job #2025-05039

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Under the guidance of a Research Scientist, this permanent position independently designs and leads ecotoxicological field and laboratory studies to assess toxic contaminants in Puget Sound aquatic species. The role includes analyzing and interpreting data, producing scientific reports, and collaborating with internal and external partners to inform recovery efforts and protect ESA-listed species. The successful candidate will play a key role in monitoring ecosystem health and guiding environmental management decisions.

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

Lead biennial survey for one of TBiOS’ indicator species and/or focus studies by independently planning, developing, designing, and implementing ecotoxicological studies to meet the work plan of a long-term monitoring program of toxic contaminants in Puget Sound biota.  

• Design long-term monitoring surveys and/or focus studies to assess status of and trends in contaminant exposure and effects for indicator species (juvenile Chinook salmon, adult salmonids, Pacific herring and/or English sole).
• Use detailed knowledge of the life history of an indicator species to decide when and where to sample, and the appropriate statistical power and other models to calculate sample sizes necessary to address testable hypotheses.
• Manage all aspects of project implementation, including conducting field sampling, staffing projects, data management, and oversight of lab activities in coordination with lab staff.

Analyze and interpret all project data including analytical chemistry, genomics, and life history data for evaluating the status and trends of toxic contaminants and their effects on the health of indicator species.

• Primary responsibility for the analysis and interpretation of contaminant data and associated biometric data from indicator species.
• Ensure data quality by applying appropriate quality assurance/quality control methods.
• Use appropriate statistical tools and models including ANOVA, General Linear Model, Multivariate Dimensional Scaling, Principal Component Analysis, and others to test hypotheses generated in study plans.

Assess and interpret information on the impacts of contaminant exposure on indicator species monitored by TBiOS. Communicate findings to a wide range of stakeholders by preparing manuscripts and final reports and making oral presentations to inform and impact management actions.

• Assess the potential damage caused by contaminant exposure to indicator species. Develop recommendations to inform and impact management actions.
• Write peer-reviewed journal articles and reports and make oral presentations interpreting complex toxicological data for local, state, federal and tribal stakeholders responsible for implementing actions aimed at reducing contamination to recover ecosystem health.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards:

Field: The incumbent will assist with the collection of fish or invertebrates from boats and along the Puget Sound shoreline. This may include living on a boat for up to a week at a time. The incumbent will be subjected to inclement weather, including rough seas that may induce motion sickness. Shoreline sampling of mussels may occur along rocky and muddy shorelines at night in remote areas. The incumbent may lift heavy objects such as ice-filled coolers and baskets of fish on the deck of a moving boat. Fish handled by staff may possess sharp and venomous spines and may bite. The incumbent will assist with deploying and retrieving sampling nets from a 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: Work will involve sitting or standing at a lab bench while performing repetitive, sometimes tedious dissections of fish and invertebrates for long periods of time. 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. The incumbent may also 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 is required.

Schedule: Standard business hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but the incumbent may be expected to adjust the work schedule to meet field sampling requirements.  A flexible work schedule will be considered at the incumbent’s request, subject to supervisory approval.

Travel: 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 5 days away from home on a boat or in motels.

Tools and equipment: Duties require the use of 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, etc.)

Customer interactions: Frequent contact (likely weekly) 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: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in one or more of the following areas: Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, Natural Resource Science, or closely related field and three (3) years of professional experience in Fish management/research, Ecology, or environmental monitoring.

Option 2: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in one or more of the following areas: Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, Natural Resource Science, or closely related field and five (5) years of professional experience in Fish management/research, Ecology, or environmental monitoring.

Option 3: Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

In addition to the requirements above, the incumbent will have experience in/with the following: 

• Designing, planning, and implementing field or laboratory studies
• Working knowledge of basic ecotoxicological principles relating to TBiOS work activities and goals.
• Applying statistical tools and models (e.g., General Linear Model, Multivariate Dimensional Scaling, Principal Component Analysis) to test hypotheses
• Communicating complex scientific information both orally and written.

Note: Additional professional experience in Fish management/research, Ecology, or environmental monitoring will substitute, year for year, for the degree requirement. A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute one year of the required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience. 

Licenses: Valid Driver’s License

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

Education:

• M.Sc. in Ecology, Environmental Chemistry, Ecotoxicology, or a closely related field. 

Experience:

• Designing, planning, and implementing field studies suitable to assess contaminant exposure or effects in aquatic organisms. 
• Analyzing patterns in the relative abundance of chemicals in tissues and identify time trends of contaminants. 
• Analyzing and managing data using R. 
• Familiarity with chemical contaminants that commonly occur in Puget Sound biota.
• Detailed knowledge of salmon, herring, English sole, or other Puget Sound biota biology and how life history strategies and habitat selection influence exposure to toxic contaminants. 
• Field capture techniques (e.g., use of nets and other capture devices) and sampling protocols for the collection of clean tissues for contaminant analyses, and other bioassays.
• ESRI products and other online mapping tools

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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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