Description

TWO (2) OPENINGS
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
FISH PASSAGE SCOPING BIOLOGIST
FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 4 (BIO 4)

Fish Program
Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Conduct biological evaluations on Wildlife Areas, Water Access Areas, Hatcheries, private lands, local jurisdictions, and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) highways.

Evaluate techniques, offer management solutions, conduct project assessment and scoping work of fish passage barriers.

Recommend project alternatives for fish passage barrier correction and screenings to preserve, protect, perpetuate, or enhance resources.

Fish Passage Restored – Credit: WDFW

Picture yourself,

As the expert-level biologist that works independently with significant on-going leadership responsibility while contributing to watershed-level fish passage restoration.

This is an opportunity,

Todirect, develop, evaluate, and manage statewide biological studies, research, resource assessments, policies, legislation, regulation, and assist with the development of legal strategies.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork,

Work with interdisciplinary teams of engineers, biologists, and geomorphologists to evaluate fish passage projects to ensure fish, wildlife and habitat resources are considered and protected.

We are seeking a candidate,

Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Duties

Some of what our Fish Passage Scoping Biologist will enjoy doing,

• Review inventory data to ensure accuracy, work with project engineers to ensure all appropriate correction options are considered during project scoping and evaluate potential design options relative to project goals, legal obligations, resource benefits and cost.
• Conduct site visits and barrier assessments to evaluate projects and collect necessary data.
• Provide technical information on species biology, life history and habitat requirements, and the appropriate and applicable fish passage restoration techniques given the site conditions and the species and life history stages present.
• Participate on WDFW/WSDOT fish passage design team. Issue Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permits for WSDOT injunction barrier correction projects.
• Support the work associated with the Fish Barrier Removal Board as assigned, including priority watersheds.

Provide program assistance and support, fulfill contractual deliverables assigned:

• Provide project input from information derived from fish passage and screening assessment protocols.

Represent the division and the agency in assigned areas statewide. Develop and maintain working partnerships with WDFW programs, other agencies, local governments, and interest groups:

• Develop and implement outreach strategies that promote Fish Passage and Screening Division goals and Fish Barrier Removal Board grant program.
• Work closely with various department programs/divisions and with Tribes, other state and federal agencies, counties, cities, RFEGs, Lead Entities, and others to assist in fish passage and habitat restoration project planning.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Field work can vary from 10% to 50% depending upon season and requires working outdoors during inclement weather.
  • Must be able to drive a vehicle to conduct field review of project sites, work in remote forested and aquatic environments, conduct stream surveys, take stream measurements, and other related tasks. These activities can consist of 8 - 10 hour days and could be for several days in a row.
  • Ability to walk over rough terrain for short distances regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles) and carry a light load (backpack less than 20 pounds and stadia measuring rod) over uneven terrain and thick vegetation.
  • Frequent bending, stooping, and climbing in and out of streams and water areas is required.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Some work in the field with occasional overnight travel.
  • Additionally, this is a statewide position and therefore, there may be significant drive time with this position to attend meetings and conduct training to various groups.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Field work may involve wading in moving water while operating a backpack electro-shocker and/or operation of a boat in riverine or lake environments. Use of large pickup trucks or 4-wheel drive vehicles for gravel roads.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interact with the public in a professional manner during field visits, local stakeholder meetings and individually.
  • City, County, State, and Tribal natural resource personnel are typical customers for technical assistance.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

AND

OR

Please Note:

• Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for education requirement if that experience is related to fish passage barrier corrections, fish passage barrier correction design, fish passage barrier prioritization, stream habitat survey work related to fish habitat, stream habitat restoration, and barrier evaluations.
• A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Take interest in and understand others’ perspectives – easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas.
• Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and be committed to the service of the public, mission, and team.

Certifications/Licenses:

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

Experience and training in the following:

• Salmonid life history, habitat requirements, and habitat enhancement/restoration techniques for salmonids.
• Construction methods of habitat projects.
• Federal, state, and local project environmental permit requirements.
• Aquatic habitat assessment methods and experience collecting biological data.
• Familiarity with fish passage and screening assessment protocols.
• Project management or familiarity with project management techniques.
• Microsoft programs and ArcGIS spatial data analysis methods.

Supplemental Information

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume.
• Three professional references.

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agencyand the perksof working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

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.

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.

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.

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