• Responds to and investigates complex or highly technical complaints; performs complex inspections or field investigations; coordinates complaint(s) & priorities, schedules and assists in negotiating agreements and/or settlements; prepares final permit and/or agreement evaluation/report for review/approval; performs follow-up inspections to ensure corrective action is implemented to address wolf/livestock conflicts are resolved. Implement nonlethal countermeasures to reduce wolf depredation (fladry, hazing, etc.).
• Coordinating with WDFW and/or Federal, State, & Local enforcement staff to provide timely response & investigation of livestock mortality/injury purportedly caused by wolves.
• May perform complex equipment repair and calibrations; reviews monitored data for evaluation of equipment performance for non-lethal capture.
• Collaborate and work with private land owners to prevent, reduce and/or control deer, elk, and turkey damage on commercial crops.
• Negotiate, plan, develop, research, and conduct or oversee technical data collection and analyzes, evaluates, and interprets data; analyze and/or interpret information requirements and coordinate information gathering for a team or other assignment outside of a team; writes reports and/or reviews draft reports;
• May have to independently perform the installation, operation and maintenance of environmental monitoring/sampling equipment; on an area or site list, used as a basis to perform and/or provide guidance for surveys, field studies or other special data gathering activities.
• 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.

Preferred Experience
One year working with ungulate and carnivore conflict issues;
One year working with private landowners to implement Habitat and Access Programs.

Competencies
Must demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management, methods and techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigations; applicable state, federal and local environmental & wildlife regulations and policies; technical report writing methods.

Additionally, must have experience that demonstrates thorough working understanding of:

• Wildlife habitat relationships.
• Wildlife population relationship and ecology.
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Principles of wildlife damage management.
• Environmental rules and regulations.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• WDFW habitat and access programs.
• WDFW hunting and fishing regulations.
• General agriculture, silviculture and range management principles.
• Plant and animal species identification.
• Environmental rules and regulations.
• Contract Administration.

The successful candidate will possess the following skills & abilities:

• Legally possess and maintain the ability/credentials to carry a firearm.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing with agency staff, other agencies, industry, and the general public;
• Use sound, independent judgment to make decisions on environmental problems associated with wildlife conflict and completing assigned tasks;
• Developing effective objectives, timelines, and action plans;
• Follow prescribed protocols and procedures.
• Accurately and legibly record data and other information.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Accept supervision.
• Work independently and as a team member.
• Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data.
• Visually discriminate when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
• Recognize differentiating plant and animal characteristics to identify species.
• Effectively and safely operate and perform basic maintenance on atvs, 4-wheel drive vehicles, and standard highway vehicles.
• Effectively and safely operate additional equipment and tools including: radios and other mobile communication devices, laptop computers, digital cameras, spotting scopes/binoculars, global positioning systems, radio telemetry, motion activated cameras, tools associated with fencing, traps, guns, snares, pyrotechnics, and radio telemetry.
• Safely use power and hand tools.
• Ability to dispatch animals.
• Use Computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet, and other applications, web based tools, e-mail, and calendar clients.
• Mediate contentious situations, including skills such as: a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and an exceptional ability to listen, communicate, and resolve complex problems.
• Negotiate effectively, appropriately and respectfully, representing the agency with the intentions of a good faith partner.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Communication effectiveness.
• Organizational and political awareness.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Accountability.
• Performance leadership.
• Ethics and integrity.
• Safety awareness

The successful candidate must be willing and able to:

• Work in the field in all weather conditions, walk streams and over rugged terrain up to 50% of the time. Ability to work in inclement weather over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud.
• Ability to walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to load and transport machinery, equipment, and gear.
• Ability and knowledge to work safely and efficiently around 4-wheel drive vehicles, agricultural equipment, ATVs, and hand tools, e.g. shovels, Pulaskis, axes, box cutters.
• Ability to use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to visually discriminate when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
• Ability to complete required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
• Willingness and ability to perform routine and repetitive work.
• Willingness and ability to perform in a punctual and dependable manner.
• Willingness to accept supervision.
• Occasional work hours outside of the regular 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday work hours including evenings and weekends, occasional early morning, evening, and weekend duties.
• Safely operate motor vehicles.

Key Competencies — the best qualified applicants will demonstrate abilities in the following areas:

• Facilitation and negotiation skills – The ability to serve as both as a regulator and as a non-regulatory technical expert on regional fish and wildlife issues is required.  Being tactful and sensitive when dealing with people with strongly held opposing viewpoints and when addressing “politically sensitive” matters are very important qualities for this position.  Exemplary social and verbal communication skills are needed to ensure requests and actions are professional, objective, and not perceived by others as adversarial or unprofessional.
• Written Communication – Exceptional writing skills are a requirement. Writing (letters, memos and email) should be organized, clear and concise, use principles of “plain talk”, and be effective, yet tactful.  Writing should be professionally written with the understanding that they are public records and as such may be read by others than the intended recipient(s).
• Working with WDFW Management – This position must ensure to keep management timely apprised of controversial issues in their particular geographic area of responsibility, especially politically sensitive matters, and consult with supervisor and management prior to acting on particularly sensitive or controversial matters or representing the Department on such matters so that WDFW management can participate in deciding positions or actions to be taken.
• Creative and innovative thinking: Develop innovative ideas that provide solutions to all types of workplace challenges.
• Communication effectiveness: Convey clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
• Organizational and political awareness: Use knowledge and understanding of the organizational and political climate to make decisions and take actions that satisfy diverse interests and contribute effectively to organizational goals.
• Adaptability and flexibility: Adapt easily to changing business needs, conditions and work responsibilities. Adapt approach, goals and methods to achieve successful solutions and results in dynamic situations.
• Accountability: Accept personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Can be relied upon to achieve excellent results with little need for oversight.
• Performance leadership: Create and nurture a performance-based culture that supports efforts to accomplish the organizational mission and goals.
• Ethics and integrity: Earn the trust, respect, and confidence of coworkers and customers through consistent honesty, forthrightness and professionalism in all interactions.

• This position works in an office setting that includes reading, writing, phone, and computer use and may include travel for field duties.  Typical hours are 8 to 5 M-F, although duties occasionally require work in excess of 40 hours. These hours are flexible to accommodate seasonal workload or additional duties as assigned by the Supervisor for work performed outdoors.
• Must have the ability to operate a vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license.  Fieldwork also requires knowledge of the operation of a GPS, compass, clinometer, and digital camera.  Must be able to load and transport equipment and gear, and operate a variety of equipment, including ATVs and tractors. Must be knowledgeable about tools to and able to build fence
• Physical, environmental, or mental demands of key work: Must be able to drive a vehicle to conduct field review of project sites.  Physical capacity to work in remote forested or rangeland environments, conducting vegetation transects, wildlife surveys and other related tasks.  These activities can consist of 8 to 10 hour days, for several days in a row.
• Health, Safety or Administrative Requirements: Capable of walking over rough terrain for short distances (≤ 1 mile) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles). Must be able to walk over difficult terrain, lift and carry at least 40 pounds short distances.
• Willingness and ability to work extended hours as necessary to complete assignments.  May include extended travel and evening or overnight trips.
• An interest in fish and wildlife habitat management and working with others in a collaborative and regulatory environment to influence sound resource management.

Union
This position is covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) 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 qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted)
• A current resume (please make it succinct)
• Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or 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.

Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.