State of Washington
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
invites applications for the position of:
Permanent Fish Biologist 4 *10279-14
SALARY: $3,819.00 – $5,010.00 Monthly
OPENING DATE: 10/22/14
CLOSING DATE: 11/09/14 05:00 PM
DESCRIPTION:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to protecting native fish and wildlife, and
providing sustainable fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.
Working throughout the state, WDFW’s employees–field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab
technicians, customer service representatives and others—manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species,
maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands, provide opportunities for recreational and commercial
fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting, protect and restore habitat and enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife
resources.
This is a full-time permanent Fisheries Biologist 4 in the Fish Program, Fish Management Division, Region
1. The duty station for this position is located at 529 W Main St., Dayton, WA.
The District 3 Fish Biologist is responsible for implementing Department Fish Management actions within
WDFW’s District 3 (Asotin, Garfield, Columbia, Walla Walla Counties) and is the primary contact for internal
and external constituents seeking information on fish resources within the District. The incumbent plays a vital
role in helping the Department fulfill its’ mission by managing fish resources to meet agency strategic goals
with respect to conservation, sound stewardship, and utilization. This includes coordinating and undertaking fish
management actions which contribute to protecting, restoring, and enhancing sensitive and/or federally ESA
listed salmon, steelhead and bull trout stocks within the Snake River Basin in SE Washington, while promoting
appropriate recreational fishing opportunities. This position supervises professional biological staff, and has
responsibility for District fish management work plan development, spending plan development and budget
tracking, project related contract development and oversight, and fish management coordination with regional
state, federal, and tribal co-managers, and various public constituent groups. This position is supervised by the
Regional Fish Program Manager.
DUTIES:
Conducts, compiles and/or oversees fish resource and fishery assessments to remain up-to-date and
knowledgeable about the status of fish stocks and fisheries (e.g., effort, harvest) within the assigned
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=991186[10/22/2014 2:36:50 PM]
area:
Tasks include:
1. Provides fish resource assessment-related data and/or results pertinent to fish resources and habitat
that is of interest or importance to various internal and external user groups within a watershed or other
geographical area.
2. Analyzes data using appropriate analytical methods and writes assessment reports.
3. Develops and implements work plans
4. Tracks spending plans and budgets
5. May direct multiple projects simultaneously
Participates in planning/undertakes management actions for aquatic resource (fish / habitat)
conservation, recreational fisheries, and hatchery production needs in line with agency policies,
strategic goals, and management objectives.
Tasks include:
1. Participate in regional technical team(s) informing implementation of ESA recovery plans(s)
2. Participate in regional management coordination groups to support WDFW recommendations and
management priorities.
3. Review and respond to project proposals/ management plans and provide response to address
management priorities.
4. Develop draft fishing regulations to address management objectives
5. Participate in hatchery annual operation planning meetings
Identifies and recommends specific actions to applicable Fish Program Managers, regionally and
statewide, to address identified problems and achieve Department management objective(s).
Tasks include:
1. Identifies key data gaps or uncertainties/questions, and recommends actions necessary to achieve
a science based response to address fish management needs.
2. Makes recommendations to accomplish management priorities.
3. Develops project proposals to address resource management data gaps.
Serves as a front-line representative of DFW in contact with co-management entities, external
constituent groups, to facilitate communications and develop/maintain positive relationships.
Tasks include:
1. Writes annual project reports
2. Responds via correspondence/ phone calls / e-mails to questions/concerns from various constituents
both internal and external.
3. Gives presentations to constituent groups/funding agencies.
4. May give presentations at professional symposia
Supervision of technical or professional staff
Tasks include:
1. Recommends candidates for hire through WDFW HR processes, and supervises staff as required.
2. Provides or recommends necessary training to subordinate staff
3. Approves work schedules and work assignments of subordinate staff (time sheets, leave requests, etc.,)
4. Evaluate the performance of subordinate staff
5. Provides leadership (e.g., mentorship, coaching, direction, motivation, opportunity, credibility)
Working Conditions
The work week is Monday through Friday, 8-5, but may require occasional work on weekends and
evenings. Approximately 70% of the time will be spent in an office setting or meeting room
environment. Schedule may require early and late work hours to assist staff and could include attendance at
evening meetings. This position may require monthly travel of 2-3 days with overnight stays. The incumbent
may be called upon to represent the Agency at public meetings to explain fish management strategies/direction
and expectations.
Field Work:
Field work will be highly varied and may include exposure to extremes of temperature and require physical
capability to walk up to 3 miles in a flowing stream, and lift equipment weighing up to 40 lbs. Some field days
could exceed 12 hours in duration. Exposure to extreme environmental conditions (temps >100 degrees) and
wildlife hazards (rattlesnakes) can occur during field work. Work may be performed in field conditions which
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=991186[10/22/2014 2:36:50 PM]
require working in boats on lakes and rivers.
Must be willing and able to wear: respirators, personal floatation devices (PFD’s), hearing protection, etc. Must
be willing to work with fish toxicants such as rotenone and Antimycin, fish anesthetics such as MS222, and
preservatives such as ethyl alcohol. A valid driver’s license is required.
Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of
Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP). As a condition of
employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other
fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.
QUALIFICATIONS:
A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science (an
emphasis in fish or aquatic management or closely related specialty is preferred) and at least three years of
professional experience in fish management or fish research. A Master’s or Ph.D. with an appropriate specialty
may substitute for one year of the professional experience requirement.
Preferred candidate will have the:
Understanding of the scientific method and experience with experimental design
Experience conducting fish stock status assessment surveys (spawning ground surveys, population estimates,
standard sampling methodologies, etc.)
Experience conducting data analysis and statistical methodology.
Experience in technical writing
Ability to orally communicate results
Strong working knowledge of standard computer software packages such as Word, Outlook and Excel
Experience and/or working knowledge of budget development and management.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications
Master of Science in fisheries science, natural resource science, or environmental science, and 3 years of
professional experience in fish management or fish research.
The preferred candidate will have:
Demonstrated experience leading/supervising professional biological staff focused on complex issues related to
hatchery/wild salmon and steelhead.
Demonstrated experience with technical writing and oral presentation.
Ability to represent Department issues and positions within highly technical forums and informal settings.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a diverse array of people and management entities.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to
your profile before completing the online application:
A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications