Title- Senior Fish Health Microbiologist
Classification- Microbiologist 4
Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption: Spring Chinook Smolts – Photo Credit: WDFW
Make a difference in fish conservation and fish health statewide.
In this role, you will lead a team of microbiology professionals, oversee critical laboratory, and provide essential fish health services supporting more than 80 hatchery facilities.
Your expertise will help identify and respond to viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other microbes affecting fish populations while directly contributing to the health and sustainability of the state’s fish resources.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Senior Fish Health Microbiologist will,
Plan, supervise, and coordinate all laboratory activities within the WDFW Microbiology Laboratory, including the design and implementation of microbiological investigations:
- Plan, assign, prioritize, and evaluate the work of microbiology laboratory staff to ensure timely completion of diagnostic testing, surveillance activities, and research projects.
- Conduct performance evaluations, establish performance expectations, and provide ongoing feedback and corrective action when necessary.
- Lead regular staff meetings to communicate priorities, procedural updates, quality assurance findings, and organizational initiatives. This includes supervising all work of the microbiology staff at all subdisciplines (e.g., virology, bacteriology, microscopy, biochemistry, molecular genetics).
- Ensure laboratory activities meet established biosecurity and agency safety standards.
- Ensure all equipment is functioning to specification, maintains inventory of laboratory supplies, and is responsible for accounts payable database.
- Adapt existing technologies to address emergent problems and conducts quality analysis/control and final review of new protocols.
- Maintain continual surveillance over tests performed to assure adherence to proper technique and necessary standards of accuracy.
Implement virological, bacteriological, biochemical, molecular genetics, and gross methods to detect pathogens and parasites:
- Sample processing, plating, steaking, maintenance of cell culture and cell lines, culture isolation, and the cryopreservation of viral positives and cell lines.
- Conduct microscopy, RNA and DNA extractions, qPCR, PCR, RT-PCR, Sanger and genomic sequencing, viral cytopathic effect (CPE) identification of certifiable aquatic animal pathogens, biochemistry assays (e.g., ELISA), antibiotic sensitivity testing, API testing, necropsies, and maintaining logs.
Inform and consult with fish health professions within and external to WDFW:
- Write (or review and validate for staff), and distribute laboratory reports and data to WDFW management, WDFW fish health and hatchery staff, fish health co-managers and co-operators, including tribal, local, state, federal, and international fish health partners.
Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:
- May encounter exposure to the following:
- Infectious aquatic animal pathogens (viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic) and biological specimens during laboratory testing and necropsies.
- Biohazardous materials such as blood, tissues, bodily fluids, and contaminated laboratory waste.
- Laboratory chemicals and reagents, including stains, preservatives, disinfectants, solvents, acids, bases, and molecular biology reagents.
- Cryogenic materials (e.g., liquid nitrogen) and ultra-low temperature freezers during specimen preservation and storage.
- Ultraviolet (UV) light, lasers, or other instrumentation used in molecular diagnostics.
- Compressed gases used with laboratory equipment.
- Noise from laboratory equipment such as centrifuges, biosafety cabinets, freezers, and ventilation systems.
- Risk of cuts or punctures from scalpels, needles, broken glass, and other laboratory sharps.
- Electrical hazards from laboratory instrumentation and equipment.
- Repetitive hand and wrist movements from pipetting, microscope use, and computer work, with prolonged standing or sitting.
- Occasional lifting and carrying of laboratory supplies, sample coolers, compressed gas cylinders (using appropriate equipment), or equipment, generally up to 30–50 pounds.
- Slips, trips, and falls associated with wet laboratory environments.
Schedule: Work is on-site at the Natural Resource Building in Olympia, Washington. Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M., 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.
Travel Requirements: Limited - occasionally for meetings and assistance at hatcheries.
Tools and Equipment: Biological safety cabinets, microscopes, PCR/qPCR instrumentation, DNA/RNA extraction and sequencing equipment, ELISA analyzers, cell culture equipment, centrifuges, incubators, autoclaves, ultra-low temperature freezers, liquid nitrogen storage systems, laboratory glassware and necropsy instruments, analytical laboratory equipment, computers, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), laboratory coat or disposable gown, nitrile or latex gloves, safety glasses or chemical splash goggles, face shield, respiratory protection, inverted microscope, confocal microscope, pipettors, centrifuge, scalpels, forceps, homogenizer, biosafety cabinet, ultracold freezers, freezers, refrigerators, incubators, sequencer, endpoint PCR, quantitative PCR, autoclave, dry-heat sterilizer, scale, pH meter, clock, heat block, gel rig, cameras, DI water system, dishwasher, computers, plate-washer, optical density spectrometer multi-well plate reader, automated dispenser.
Customer Interactions: Limited interaction with public. Daily interaction with hatchery and field staff.
Qualifications:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Required Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree in science with major study in microbiology, pathobiology, chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, medical technology, or closely allied field.
*Including at least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in college coursework in microbiology or related fields.
And the following (experience may be gained concurrently):
- Six (6) years of experience working in microbiology laboratories with demonstrated working knowledge of the following:
- Molecular methods (PCR, sequencing, and protocol development)
- Bacteriology, virology, chemistry, parasitology, mycology, immunology
- Laboratory terminology, techniques, and equipment including standard analyses, microscopic examinations and histological staining methods used in the identification of microbes
- Microbiology research methods and requirements
- Report preparation and sources of data on current microbiology research
- At least one (1) year of leadership or supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work and evaluating performance.
Please Note:
- A master’s degree in one (1) of the above fields may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.
- A Ph.D. degree in one (1) of the above fields may be substituted for two (2) years of experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
Knowledge of organization and operation of microbiology laboratories including diagnostic tests and techniques in fields of serology, and microscopy; current microbiology research for salmonids and other finfish; scientific report writing for salmonids and other finfish.
Experience:
- Planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and evaluating work of technical/professional laboratory personnel.
- Working cooperatively with personnel of state, local public, and private laboratories to perform research studies.
- Writing and establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Working in a biosafety level 2 (BSL) facility or certified laboratory.
Your application must 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.
- An unofficial or official college transcript.
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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-07261.
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