• Consulting and collaborating with local, state, and federal regulatory agencies, conducting field reviews and assessments, and completing and submitting permit applications for YTAHP fish passage, screening, and habitat restoration and enhancement projects.
• Coordinating, facilitating, and integrating information provided by project engineers and sponsors, landowners, biologists, and other technical experts to ensure that project designs address landowner and technical and permitting needs, as well as biological needs of fish.
• Assisting in construction management, fish rescues, inspection, and compliance monitoring of projects and providing on-site technical assistance, including oversight, monitoring, and inspection of YTAHP projects.
• Other duties include providing technical assistance to landowners on issues relevant to identifying, prioritizing, permitting, funding, and implementing fish passage and screening and other fish habitat restoration project proposals.

Preferred/Desired Education, Training, Skills and Abilities/Competencies:
Knowledge of stream ecology and habitat restoration techniques, especially with respect to salmonid streams of the northwest: Coursework or experience in hydrology, geology, or fluvial processes; Knowledge of the work area and representatives of various agencies, tribes, environmental groups, etc.; Assessment of fish passage barriers and fish protection devices; Knowledge and use of the ARC view family of mapping programs; Environmental review processes, and similarly applicable fields of study or training; Collaborative problem-solving experience. Experience working with the public and facilitating or negotiating positive outcomes to complicated issues; Work with local governments in environmental planning.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental review processes (SEPA, NEPA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Hydraulic Project Approvals, Floodplain and Shoreline permits) and similarly applicable fields of study or training.
• Knowledge of stream and/or marine ecology and restoration techniques, fish passage barrier assessments, fish passage requirements for road crossing structures and irrigation diversions, heavy equipment operation and limitations, and BMPs for in-water construction techniques.
• Knowledge of electrofishing principles and ability to lead survey crews.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS and reading construction/ engineering blueprints.
• Familiarity with local government planning processes, including the Growth Management Act and the Shoreline Management Act.
• Demonstrated ability to work within the regulatory environment including applying for and complying with federal, state or local environmental permits.
• Demonstrated functional knowledge of the biology, life histories, and habitat requirements of fish life found in the Yakima River Basin of Washington.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate (one-on-one and participation in group discussions), independently analyze and weigh the risks verses benefits in decisions and recommendations related to fish and wildlife resources, and habitat issues.
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport and partner with the public, rural landowners, tribes, and local, state, and federal governmental agencies regarding issues pertaining to fish protection, habitat restoration, screening, and fish passage;
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills to effectively prioritize workload for multiple tasks and maximum efficiency;
• Demonstrated ability to apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Demonstrated skill in writing and group presentations and the ability to present complex or controversial information in a way that is understandable and non-confrontational.

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

• Effectively communicates in individual and group discussions, independently analyzes and weighs the risks verses benefits in decisions and recommendations related to fish and wildlife resources, and habitat issues.
• Builds rapport and partners with WDFW staff, the public, Native American Tribes, and local, state, and federal governmental agencies regarding issues pertaining to fish and wildlife protection.
• Applies negotiation and conflict resolution skills when communicating with difficult people under difficult circumstances.
• Uses excellent written and verbal communication skills when communicating with individuals and groups and to present complex or controversial information in a way that is understandable and non-confrontational to the permit applicants, coworkers and team members through consistently honest, forthright and professional interactions; logically integrates various ideas, intentions, and information to form effective goals, objectives, timelines, action plans, and solutions.
• Is sensitive to customer and team member attitudes and concerns. Is accessible to customers and team. members and handles customer inquiries and complaints promptly, courteously, and non-bureaucratically. Recognizes adverse reactions and develops better alternatives. Provides products and services that consistently meet or exceed the needs and expectations of customers and team members without compromising protection of natural resources.
• Involves appropriate staff in decision making that impacts them. Discusses areas of agreement as well as disagreement or inconsistency in order to identify issues or aspects that need resolution. Seeks different alternatives to reach a given end by looking for common ground and by looking beyond the obvious and not stopping at the first answers. Distinguishes information that is not pertinent to a decision or problem solution. Demonstrates a willingness to negotiate and make concessions to reach an acceptable solution that benefits all parties. Presents interests in a diplomatic, professional manner oriented toward bringing about understanding and seeking resolution. Can translate the ‘letter of the law’ into a variety of workable, legal options. Accepts that management may adopt a different resolution with a divergent outcome from that presented.
• Balances quality of work with ability to meet deadlines by making efficient and effective use of available time, equipment and resources. Knowledgeable of and practices Lean principles. Works with dedication, commitment and professionalism. Adapts to stressful or changing situations and priorities. Transitions easily between tasks, responding quickly and efficiently to work requests; successfully returns to incomplete tasks and continues work with minimal need to become re-oriented to the task. Works accurately and timely with minimal supervision. Exhibits self-initiative in developing or upgrading knowledge and skills, and applying that new knowledge or skills in the work environment.
• Doesn’t make excuses for errors or problems, instead, acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Demonstrates ethical behavior. Keeps commitments made to others. Shows respect for self and others. Adapts to and positively deals with the stress of a high-paced work environment. Asks for and accepts constructive feedback on performance and makes efforts to improve. Accepts and follows supervisory direction. Provides constructive feedback to others. Maintains alertness and concentration during normal work period. Keeps supervisor and coworkers informed of need-to-know items, and follows chain-of-command when addressing problems or issues.

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 ditch/stream banks, and mud with an electro-shocker and associated equipment.
• Ability to walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Ability to load and transport machinery, equipment, and gear (block nets, buckets of water and fish life) into and out of vehicle.
• Ability and knowledge to work safely and efficiently around agricultural equipment, construction equipment, and hand tools (e.g. shovels).
• Ability to use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data and compiling and packaging permit applications.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to visually discriminate when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features of life history stages of chinook, summer steelhead, coho, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout.
• Ability to complete required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to work independently and 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 and maintain motor vehicles and survey equipment, cameras, computers, etc.

• Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment.  Office work includes reading, writing, phone and computer use.
• Must have the ability to operate a vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license at all times.  Fieldwork also requires knowledge of the operation of a GPS, clinometer, and digital camera.  Knowledge of electroshocking equipment and procedures will be required.
• Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. five days a week.  These hours are flexible to accommodate seasonal workload or additional duties as assigned by the Regional Habitat Program Manager or Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager.
• 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 and aquatic environments, conducting fish 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).
• Willingness and ability to work extended hours and occasional weekends as necessary to complete assignments.  May include extended travel and evening or overnight trips.
• An interest in fish and wildlife resource 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 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.