Lead Kelp Scientist

NHP Lead Kelp Scientist, Natural Resource Scientist 4 (NRSci4)
Recruitment #2025-11-6388
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE)
Location: Natural Resources Building - Olympia, WA
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $7,443.00 - $10,004.00 Monthly

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Aquatic Resources Division as the Nearshore Habitat Program’s (NHP) Lead Kelp Scientist! Co-lead an energetic and passionate team of scientists focused on long-term monitoring of critical marine nearshore habitats to inform conservation and recovery actions. The work of the Nearshore Habitat Program fulfills, in part, DNR’s mandate to ‘ensure environmental protection’ by providing scientifically sound data and assessments of state aquatic resources.  The team leads on publishing data and work products to inform DNR’s Kelp and Eelgrass Health and Conservation Plan, and to update the Puget Sound Vital Sign Indicators for Floating Kelp and Eelgrass.

Responsibilities:
This position is a lead kelp scientist for nearshore habitat research planning and execution, and oversees scientific work that is required to meet nearshore habitat monitoring and assessment objectives related to kelp forests. Specific responsibilities include:

• Co-leading the Nearshore Habitat Program, including guiding strategic planning, project design and implementation, workload planning, and technical review of results.
• Developing, designing, and overseeing scientific research projects, including field operations, data collection, and data analysis. 
• Supervising research scientists (entry- to senior-level staff) on projects, including project design, sampling design, data collection, data analysis, and reporting. 
• Working with interagency and academic personnel on a local, state, federal, tribal, and international basis to collaboratively identify research needs related to kelp forest ecosystems and intertidal biotic communities.  
• Managing the program research budget and staff, including administering contracts or agreements to implement projects. 
• Providing site- and project-specific support to the Division and Regions on environmental protection, mitigation, restoration, embayment planning, reserves, and other land use projects impacting nearshore aquatic lands. 
• Supporting in the development of scientifically sound criteria and standards relating to nearshore habitat management. 
• Reviewing reports and policy documents to provide scientific advice on the impacts of programs, projects, and proposals on aquatic species and habitats. 
• Providing leadership and guidance to direct reports on work processes, procedures, and forward progression. 
• Conducting outreach activities to disseminate information on nearshore habitat health through written reports and presentations at conferences and meetings.

Required Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in a natural science AND six years of professional research work experience in marine ecology or other related field;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  A Master’s degree, without a PhD degree in a specialty field, will substitute for two years of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in marine ecology or another related field.
  A Ph.D. degree will substitute for three years of the required experience, provided the field of major study was in marine ecology or another related field.
• Experience presenting scientific findings in written and oral formats to scientists and managers, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience in field data collection, especially in nearshore environments.
• Experience with designing and implementing nearshore habitat research projects to assess the status and trends of abiotic and biotic resources.
• Project management experience to include technical guidance of staff through all phases of scientific inquiry, including developing and maintaining project timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance in a manner accessible to land managers, stewardship specialists, planners, and decision makers.
• Represent the program and agency on complex or controversial issues with other agencies, jurisdictions, or interest groups in a manner that is consistent with agency policies.
• Familiarity with current literature describing methods and results of monitoring nearshore environments.
• Knowledge of statistics, principles of experimental design, and understanding of univariate and multivariate statistics.
• Knowledge of spatially explicit field data collection techniques, especially in remote environments.
• Knowledge of intertidal biotic community and floating kelp ecology, and monitoring methods.
• Knowledge of the principles and practice of aquatic resource management.
• Accustomed to developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships, to build rapport and partner with academic institutions, local, state, and federal governmental agencies, tribes, and the public.
• Accustomed to working constructively to develop a program that incorporates input from team members and addresses program goals, technical challenges and available resources.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.

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• Washington Department of Natural Resources

• 3609720384