State of Washington
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
invites applications for the position of:
FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 1 *02909W
SALARY: $2,663.00 – $3,459.00 Monthly
OPENING DATE: 03/27/15
CLOSING DATE: 04/12/15 11:59 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. Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov.
Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1
(Full-time, Project)
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time, project, Fish and Wildlife Biologist 1
position located in the Wildlife Program, Region 6. The duty station is temporarily in the Natural Resources
Building, Olympia, Thurston County, but is scheduled to be transferred to the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area by
July 1, 2015.
This project position supports habitat management and restoration field operations for western Washington
grasslands, balds, and oak woodlands. This position is a composite of field and office work: conducting and
assisting with habitat management and restoration activities (prescribed fire, herbicide application, weed
control, native plant seeding, etc); surveys for threatened and endangered species, data collection, and
assistance with fieldwork; data and records management; and data quality control and summary. This position
will use ARC-GIS for record keeping. The position will identify prairie plants by species and keep track of
species lists.
The project position duration is currently 2 years with extension depending upon funding with anticipated start
date of May 1. The workweek will be Monday through Friday, 8 AM to approximately 5:00 PM (with a ½ hour
lunch). While the duty station is in Olympia and/or Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, fieldwork occurs occasionally in
other parts of western Washington, including Clallam County. Employees can expect to spend less than 5% of
their time in travel status within a year.
DUTIES:
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=1110369[3/27/2015 10:46:58 AM]
Conducts and assists with habitat management and restoration activities, including herbicide application,
prescribed fire, brush cutting and tractor mowing. Conducts surveys for threatened and endangered plants and
animals. Conducts vegetation monitoring. Works with prison crews, AmeriCorps crews and work study
students, helping to direct appropriate work locations and supports crews with equipment and other resources
to conduct management actions. Organizes, cares for and maintains equipment. Drives on logging roads and
navigates complex undeveloped road networks. Hikes off-trail through sometimes dense vegetation and
through uneven prairie terrain. Collects data with field data forms, handheld computers, geographic positioning
systems, and digital cameras. Downloads, enters, manages, and summarizes data in the form of track logs,
maps, spreadsheets, photographs, and written summaries. Uses ARC GIS to record data.
QUALIFICATIONS:
· A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in fisheries, wildlife management, natural
resource science, environmental science, or related field; or equivalent in education/experience.
· One year of professional experience conducting species or vegetation surveys, habitat management,
or habitat restoration.
· Ability to identify plants and wildlife species.
· Ability to collect data according to established protocols and make independent judgments in the field
in the absence of the supervisor.
· Knowledge of principles and procedures of biological survey methods, standard field methods for
surveys and vegetation monitoring; fish, wildlife, and habitat ecology.
· Knowledge of general habitat management practices.
· Ability to effectively work with others.
· Ability to convey ideas and facts orally using language volunteers, students, prisoners, and the public
will best understand.
· Ability to partner with field crew staff and the supervisor to identify and resolve complex or sensitive
issues.
· Ability to prepare detailed written reports on technical studies; communicate effectively to the public
and federal, state and county officials; perform a variety of outdoor work year-round in inclement
weather.
· Ability to develop positive, productive, respectful working relationships with coworkers and
collaborators. Sensitivity to the concerns of public and private landowners.
· Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel, familiarity within Windows driven computer programs.
· Follow instructions, show initiative, and work efficiently without supervision.
· Knowledge and experience using GPS technology.
· Level of fitness necessary to walk at least 5 miles/day off trail with 30 lbs. or less.
· Willingness to obtain license as a pesticide applicator.
· Willingness to obtain certification to satisfy current National Wildfire Coordinating Group minimum
qualifications as a Firefighter 2.
· Ability to drive a 4X4 vehicle.
· Ability to operate hand and power tools
· Willingness to operate a tractor with various implements
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
Two years professional experience conducting field work in wildlife management, habitat management,
botanical studies, or wildlife surveys, preferably in the Pacific Northwest.
Familiarity with vegetation monitoring methods, familiarity with plant species commonly encountered in South
Sound Prairies of Western Washington.
Experience working with other staff in a field setting.
Experience working in a remote location.
Familiarity with the use of handheld computers or other device for collecting data in the field.
Familiarity with methods of successfully downloading data from handheld devices to ARC GIS while ensuring
complete transfer of data and conducting quality control to assure data integrity.
Experience with tractor use and mowing.
Experience with conducting or assisting with prescribed fire.
Experience conducting herbicide application.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Working Conditions
Job Bulletin
http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=1110369[3/27/2015 10:46:58 AM]
The working environment is primarily composed of field work but involves data management, record-keeping
and report writing in the office. While in the field, hiking off-trail through dense vegetation, uneven ground, and
up and down steep slopes will be required. Employees may, at times, be required to carry heavy items a short
distance (40 lbs.) and haul awkward equipment (e.g. rebar). Prescribed fire work will require a fitness test, and
using a 30 lb. backpack for firefighting. Field work requires that some time be spent on hands and knees on
the ground, or crawling through dense understory and woody debris. The position is physically demanding and
requires carrying field gear in frequently rough and steep terrain for moderate distances, often during inclement
weather. Employees must be comfortable navigating throughout managed landscapes on foot and in some
study sites that have been recently harvested, over downed trees and wood and up streams that may be
slippery. Employees must be comfortable navigating and driving on dirt tracks and logging roads.
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.
How to Apply:
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 qualification of this position (generic cover letters will not be
accepted)
· A current resume (please make it succinct)
· Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional references)
Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. E-mailed
documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.
Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail. You will then be
notified via e-mail of your status during the process. In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the
status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov. Due to the high
volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online
process and avoid calling for information.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working
environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, and ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity
diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, 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 may
call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device