Aquaculture Specialist Jobs

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Washington Sea Grant (WSG) has an outstanding opportunity for an Aquaculture Specialist to advance sustainable aquaculture in Washington by providing technical assistance on aquaculture practices, farm management, emerging species for culture, interactions with marine and estuarine ecosystems, business management, and workforce development. The successful candidate will apply their expertise to projects that include the Washington Coastal Estuary Collaborative (WACEC) program and the West Coast Aquaculture Collaborative. The supervisor for this position is the team lead for Aquaculture and Water Quality. The successful candidate will work closely with WSG’s outreach and communications staff, research scientists, public agency representatives, tribes, and aquaculture practitioners.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Specific duties include

Provide technical assistance and outreach to a diverse network of aquaculture producers and stakeholders throughout Western Washington, with an emphasis in areas with significant industry presence including Pacific, Grays Harbor, and Mason counties.

Conduct workshops and seminars that engage aquaculture producers and the public in best practices for business operations, ecosystem-based management, and environmental stewardship.

Lead collaborative aquaculture programs, currently including the West Coast Aquaculture Collaborative, working with Alaska Sea Grant, Oregon Sea Grant and California Sea Grant colleagues to address issues including biosecurity in the shellfish industry, aquaculture farm preparedness for disasters, and exchange of information between farms in different regions.

Provide aquaculture technical knowledge and general facilitation and activity support for programs such as the Washington Coastal Estuary Collaborative (WACEC).

Serve as a member of the WSG Aquaculture and Water Quality team on projects, activities, reports, and publications.

Other duties include

Contribute to maintaining a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, by valuing diverse perspectives, enhancing cultural understanding, and supporting equal access to programming that facilitates sound, place-based decision-making based on relevant traditional and local knowledge.

Participate in relevant Sea Grant, local, regional and national networks.

Participate in the development of grant proposals to support related project implementation, research and extension efforts.

Contribute to WSG program reporting and evaluations.

Participate in regular WSG staff meetings.

Develop an annual work plan and provide timely reporting of WSG activities, impacts, and accomplishments.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
A bachelor’s degree related to aquaculture, fishery sciences, or marine biology. and a minimum of four years of prior applicable professional experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Experience working with diverse aquaculture producers, demonstrating effective engagement, one-on-one technical assistance and training.

Capacity to manage demanding workflow; initiate, manage and complete tasks with minimal supervision; work effectively with diverse constituencies in-person and remotely via email and phone; and maintain attention to detail and process.

Written and verbal communication skills that demonstrate the ability to interpret technical information and explain it accurately in non-technical language.

Demonstrated leadership, organizational skills and problem solving abilities.

Strong interpersonal skills.

Commitment to the creation of equitable access to resources and opportunities and application of WSG’s values which are informed by environmental justice and are based in a culture of inclusion, respect, long-term engagement and accountability.

DESIRED:

An advanced degree (MS or PhD) in fisheries, aquaculture sciences or marine biology.

Familiarity with Washington State aquaculture operations and ecosystems.

Experience in outreach programming including coordinating and hosting industry conferences, writing informational bulletins, communicating with a diverse audience of aquaculture industry members.

Experience with aquaculture farm work.

Mayan dialect and/or Spanish language skills.

Understanding of the complex relationships among federal, state, and tribal resource management authorities in Washington.

Use of Microsoft Office and Google suite products.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position will serve aquaculture farmers in prominent local industries in places such as Pacific, Grays Harbor, Mason or Thurston counties, with the specific office location determined with input from the successful candidate.
The position requires travel to farm and meeting sites as necessary.
This is a hybrid position with work activities occurring at WSG offices, meeting facilities and outdoors at field locations throughout Western Washington.
Workload demand requires periodic evening and weekend hours and the ability to travel to farm locations across the region.
Aquaculture Specialist activities will include carrying equipment or materials and may include work from small boats.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.