ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST 3 (Permanent)

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time, permanent, Environmental Specialist 3 position located in the Wildlife Program, Region 5, Southwest Washington.  The duty station for this position is located in the White Salmon area. The work area includes Clark, Skamania and Klickitat County; however, the majority of work will be conducted in Klickitat County.

This position has two primary duties: the first is to support the agency’s responsibility to resolve property damage/conflict issues associated with wildlife on private lands, which includes interactions with deer, elk, bear (crop depredation), cougar, and eventually wolves (livestock depredation). The second duty is to assist the Region 5 Private Lands Biologist in the implementation of Wildlife Program goals and objectives in developing the Private Lands Program in District 9. The successful candidate will promote responsible wildlife conservation and management while providing sustainable recreational opportunities as appropriate.

Duties

Primary duties include:

  • Collaborate and work with WDFW Wildlife Program, Enforcement, and private land owners to prevent, reduce, and/or control wildlife damage to commercial crops, livestock, and commercial timber on private lands (e.g., deer, elk, bear, cougar, and wolf damage).
  • Develop cooperative agreements and work with landowners to reduce crop damage and minimize livestock losses from wildlife.
  • Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with private landowners, tribes, non-profit organizations and other public agencies to address wildlife conflicts.
  • Collect data, develop alternatives, and prioritize efforts aimed at resolving wildlife damage
  • Respond to and investigate complex or highly technical complaints; performs complex inspections or field investigations;
  • Implement nonlethal techniques to reduce depredation
  • Evaluate data to determine technical compliance with regulatory requirements; provides technical recommendations regarding the development, coordination, and implementation of environmental technical assistance programs involving natural resource management.
  • Collect data and maintains records related to wildlife damage complaints, crop damage losses, highway collisions, lethal and non-lethal strategies implemented, and animals lethally removed.
  • Utilize existing WDFW programs and funding resources to prevent wildlife damage and provide compensation for eligible property owners.
  • Seek new funding sources to address wildlife damage.
  • Communicate with the public and other agencies on wildlife damage control issues, to include coordinating with volunteer Master hunters, landowners, and other agency staff to direct hunting effort to help control damage
  • Work with private landowners to implement WDFW Habitat and Access Programs.
  • Facilitate public access opportunities on private lands for fish and wildlife related recreational activities.
  • Work with private landowners to improve, protect, and restore habitat.
  • Assist with Wildlife Program activities and other duties in collecting biological data, trapping, transfer, and releasing wildlife, and conducting priority game and non-game species surveys.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in wildlife management, environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field AND two years of professional level experience in a wildlife management-related field or other allied field.

Required: A valid Washington or other state Driver’s License

Preferred Experience
One year working with ungulate and carnivore conflict issues;
One year trapping/immobilizing wildlife

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/1481534/environmental-specialist-3-07372w