What are the responsibilities and job description for the Northern Leopard Frog Technician - Scientific Tech 2 - Seasonal - Two positions - *00798-25 position at State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife?
Description
Openings- Two (2)
Title- Northern Leopard Frog Technician
Classification- Scientific Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Season Length- Six (6) months – March 1 – August 31
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Diversity Section
Duty Station- Ephrata, Washington – Grant County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Northern Leopard Frog – Photo Credit: Emily Grabowsky
This is your opportunity to contribute to the recovery of northern leopard frogs (NLF) and monitoring Western and Clark’s grebes. Help conserve the last NLF population at Potholes Reservoir, assess reintroduction sites, and monitor released frogs while conducting surveys in historically and currently occupied areas. Your work will directly support critical species recovery and habitat conservation efforts in north-central Washington!
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the NLF Technician will,
Perform Northern Leopard Frog reintroduction activities, monitoring, surveys:
- Perform leopard frog call surveys.
- Assist with NLF egg mass surveys and collection.
- Performs visual encounter surveys for northern leopard frog, following established protocols.
- Assist with NLF transport (all life stages).
- Monitor NLF (all life stages) that are held in enclosures.
- Safely handle amphibians while taking measurements and recording data.
- Wetland habitat assessment surveys.
Conduct Grebe Surveys:
- Conduct surveys for Western and Clark’s grebes (nesting pairs, nest success)
- Can assist other Wildlife Program activities as needed Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
Perform Bullfrog and invasive species management:
- Assist with bullfrog removal/euthanasia
- Funnel trap surveys to inventory species in wetlands
- Set up and maintain bullfrog exclusion fencing
- Assess bullfrog presence at wetlands
Data Management:
- Organizes, enters, and edits field data in spreadsheets (Excel)
- Enters and manipulates spatial data with use of GPS units and GIS software (ArcGIS, ArcOnline, Survey123 mobile app)
- Summarizes data and maintains activity logs for quarterly reports
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards: Mostly field based (80% of time) in and around wetland habitats with mud, biting insects, and water up to 4ft deep and occasional deeper lakes. Conditions range from temperature/weather extremes (90 degrees during summer). Must be able to wear waders and PFD and negotiate water in emergency situations. Fieldwork includes heavy lifting (up to 50lbs), hiking/walking, up to 5 miles a day in rough terrain, and bending/stooping. Most of the time working in groups, with occasional work done independently.
Schedule: 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday, irregular work schedule, early mornings, night shifts, and occasionally weekends.
Travel: Infrequent, but may be needed to assist with NLF transfer
Tools and Equipment: Hand tools, 4x4 pickup trucks, ATV operation, kayaks.
Customer Interaction: Regularly interacts with project partners, volunteers, students, and occasional field encounters with public.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: Graduation from high school or GED, including one year of high school science and two years of experience as a Scientific Technician 1.
Option 2: Graduation from high school or GED including one year of high school science and two years of laboratory or field experience as an assistant to a biologist, chemist, or zoologist.
Note: College course work involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, chemistry, natural sciences, or closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience, provided the course work includes at least six semester or nine quarter hours of natural science classes.
Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
- At least 6 months of wildlife survey experience, mobile data collection.
- At least 6 months experience capture and handling wildlife and biological sample collection.
- Experiencing working with amphibians and/or in wetland environments
- Working knowledge level of mapping software (Arc Online, ArcPro, GIS).
- Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or biology
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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