The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations.  Each day, WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors.  WDFW’s employees–field and laboratory biologists, geneticists, research scientists, hatchery professionals, policy experts, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, property acquisition specialists, customer service representatives and others work throughout the state.  WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.  WDFW employees maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands. They interpret, apply and enforce state and federal laws and collaborate with stakeholders to protect fish and wildlife resources. The 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.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

This is a permanent Fisheries Biologist 4 position in the Fish Program, Region 5.  The duty station for this position is the Region 2 Office located at 1550 Alder Street NW, Ephrata, WA  98823.

This position is an expert level biologist and serves as the district fish biologist responsible for managing inland fish resources (coldwater, warmwater, and non-game fish species) in District 5 (Grant and Adams counties) within Region 2 (Grant, Adams, Douglas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties) of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).  Primary responsibilities include:  (1) independently develop/design, plan, and implement inland fish biological surveys, stock assessments, and research studies within District 5, (2) analyze and interpret inland fish data using scientifically sound analysis and statistical methods, (3) summarize inland fish data analyses and interpretations in technical reports and make management recommendations, (4) develop/design, plan, and implement lake and stream rehabilitations using the aquatic pesticide rotenone, (5) identify hatchery production targets and develop stocking allotments, (6) supervise permanent biological staff (1-FW Biologist III and 1-FW Biologist I), and (7) communicate and interact with internal WDFW biological and policy staff and various external entities (e.g., federal, tribal, state, municipal, and general public).

This position contributes to WDFW’s mission by providing maximum sustainable recreational fishing opportunities in District 5 waters while ensuring the long-term conservation of healthy and diverse inland fish resources.  Specifically, the data collected, management recommendations made, and all other management activities performed by this position directly affect recreational fisheries and population status of inland fish resources in District 5.

This position primarily interacts with the Region 2 Fish Program Manager to identify work tasks and establish expectations for the year (or years).  After work tasks and expectations are set, this position is expected to complete all work independently and under administrative direction.  For certain work tasks/expectations, this position also interacts with the District 6 and 7 fish biologists, regional hatchery staff, select headquarters staff, and external entities (e.g., federal, tribal, state, municipal, etc.).

1. Independently develop/design, plan, and implement inland fish biological surveys, stock assessments, and research studies within District 5.
2. Appropriately analyze and interpret inland fish data using scientifically sound analysis and statistical methods.
3. Summarize inland fish data analyses and interpretations in technical reports and make management recommendations

 Inland Fish Management 
Tasks include:

1. Analyze and/or develop sport fishing regulations for District 5 waters using inland fish analyses and interpretations and/or input from internal WDFW staff and external entities.
2. Develop/design, plan, and implement lake and stream rehabilitations in District 5 using the aquatic pesticide rotenone for sport fishing restoration, native species recovery, and control of AIS.
3. Identify hatchery production targets and develop fish stocking allotments for District 5 waters.

Communication and Coordination 
Tasks include:

1. Provide technical expertise during WDFW fish management initiatives, actions, and/or activities affecting fish management in District 5, Region 2, and/or statewide waters.
2. Participate in multi-agency fish management technical committees as assigned.
3. Develop and give technical/informative presentations to internal WDFW staff, external natural resource entities (e.g., federal, tribal, state, municipal, etc.), and general public (e.g., sport fishing groups) as required.
4. Respond to telephone, written, and email inquiries from internal staff, external entities, and general public as required.
5. Attend all headquarter and regional meetings to greatest extent possible.

Supervision 
Tasks include:

1.  Provide general supervision of work duties for two permanent biological staff.
2.  Provide annual evaluations, expectations, and updates to position descriptions of two  permanent biological staff.
3.  Ensure all agency personnel, purchasing, and other administrative processes and procedures are being followed by two permanent biological staff.
4.  When necessary, hire well qualified permanent and/or temporary staff when necessary using appropriate hiring processes and procedures.

Other Duties as Assigned 

Tasks include:

1. Other work duties as assigned/required by Region 2 Fish Program Manager and/or select headquarters staff (with approval from R2FPM).
2. Manage budgets/contracts as required.

Working Conditions

In general, this position is expected to accomplish work within a M-F, 8AM-5PM, and 40 hour/week work schedule.  However, during certain times of the year this position is expected to work weekends, outside the 8AM-5PM workday, and more than 40 hours/week in order to accomplish work.  This position is expected to work within an office environment and exhibit a positive, respectful, and courteous attitude towards all co-workers.

This position is expected to interact with WDFW’s recreational angling constituency and other public when contacted in person, by phone, or email and exhibit a positive and professional attitude.

Travel requirements very year-to-year due to identified works tasks and their location within Washington.  In general, this position is expected to travel mostly within Region 2 boundaries and to a lesser extent other areas statewide between 15-25% of the time in order to accomplish work.

This position is expected to travel statewide, to potentially isolated and rugged areas, use off road vehicles to reach project sites, drive boats on a variety of waters, potentially lift weights up to 100 pounds without assistance or accommodation, work during daylight and nighttime hours, work during all seasons of the year, use chemicals requiring PPE, use sharp or potentially harmful equipment, and work in areas inhabited by potentially harmful fish and/or wildlife in order to accomplish work.

This position uses a variety of office and field tools and equipment to accomplish work including, but not limited to:  personal computers, tablets, smart phones, copy/fax machines, boats (including electrofishing boats), ATVs, forklifts, field equipment (e.g., water quality meters, nets, traps, tagging tools, etc.), laboratory equipment (e.g., microscopes, dissection tools, preserving chemicals, aquatic pesticides (rotenone) and detoxifying agents (potassium permanganate), and PPE.

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.

Five years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research. Twelve semesters or eighteen-quarter hours of specific course work is required for certain positions.

A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one year of the required experience.
A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two years of the required experience.

Four years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3. Equivalent education/experience.
General knowledge of Pacific Northwest fish and wildlife, their habitats and life histories; Species identification.
A valid Washington or other State Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications and Competencies
Ability to work independently, think strategically, be adaptable and flexible, inspire and foster team commitment, comfortable with conflict management, highly credible and transparent, reliable and dependable, courteous and respectful of others, ability to make sound ethical decisions, high degree of integrity.
Knowledge of resident fish biology and ecology.
Knowledge of appropriate inland fish scientific methods and analyses and principles of fish management.

Competencies in: Verbal and written communication, statistical analysis, computer programs such as Microsoft Excel, Access, Word and Powerpoint.

A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications and competencies 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.  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, 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.