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.

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

There is one (1) permanent Fisheries Biologist 4 position in the Fish Program, Statewide Salmon and Steelhead/Puget Sound Management.  The duty station for this position is the Natural Resource Building located Olympia, WA.

As an expert level biologist, this position is a key leader and team member in the Fish Program, Statewide Salmon and Steelhead Division, Puget Sound Management Unit contributing to objectives 1, 2, 6, and 7 in the WDFW strategic plan. This position, serves as the lead WDFW representative coordinating the activities of the Puget Sound Recreational Salmon and Marine Fish Enhancement Program (PSRFE). As such, the position evaluates survival and fishery contributions of PSRFE and state-funded salmon hatchery program releases through expert-level data analyses and coordination with WDFW Hatchery Division staff and tribal governments. As the Puget Sound Recreational Fishery Manager, the position serves as a lead expert in maintaining, updating, and analyzing a complete and accurate database of historical salmon catch and effort estimates that are essential to management of Puget Sound recreational fisheries; evaluates and resolves (with agency staff and tribal co-managers) Catch Record Card (CRC) system issues and licensing discrepancies; reviews and interprets CRC data and estimates for biological accuracy, feasibility, validity, and value. Leads development of recreational salmon fishery regulations, including producing emergency rules in-season. Leads the permanent rules process after the NOF process for recreational salmon fisheries, taking public comments through a variety of correspondence methods including public hearings, for Puget Sound recreational fisheries and other regional fisheries. Leads the Puget Sound Sport Fishing Advisory group to coordinate input from the public, through advisors, regarding priorities and recommendations for salmon fisheries management in Puget Sound, including intensive work with advisors during the North of Falcon pre-season planning process. Represents the State of Washington and recreational community in fishery management forums, including as an appointed member to the Pacific Salmon Commission’s (PSC) Selective Fishery Evaluation Committee to evaluate WDFW and other state/federal agency mark-selective fishery proposals pre-season as well as post-season.

Manages the Puget Sound Recreational salmon fishery to meet harvest objectives and conservation goals by appropriate regulatory rules (WACs)
Tasks include:
Leads development of recreational salmon fishery regulations, including producing emergency rules in-season, which are necessary to implement the intent of approved annual management plans.  Updates the recorded fishery regulation hotline.  Leads the permanent rules process after the NOF process for recreational salmon fisheries, taking public comments through a variety of correspondence methods including public hearings, for Puget Sound recreational fisheries and other regional fisheries.  Leads the development and production of the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet each year, coordinating with a large team of fisheries management staff to meet tight deadlines for editing, review, and production of the pamphlet statewide.

Serves as an integral, lead team member for the State of Washington in the annual salmon management planning process called “North of Falcon” (NOF), including interpreting agency policy for development of goals and objectives for Puget Sound recreational fisheries, negotiating and consensus-building among multi-jurisdictional (17 Puget Sound Treaty Tribes) colleagues to achieve harvest management plans, conservation plans, and technical review of resource impact assessments. 
Tasks include:
Produces analytically derived model inputs for use in the pre-season salmon fisheries planning model, the Fisheries Regulations Assessment Model (FRAM).  Provides estimates of recreational fishery catch for Puget Sound and freshwater fisheries for use in run reconstruction, pre-season modeling, and fishery management plans. Works cooperatively with constituents in developing harvest plans, communicating annual fishing plans, and interpreting regulation models and expected fishery impacts.
Leads the Puget Sound Recreational Fishing Advisors group to coordinate input from the public, through advisors, regarding priorities and recommendations for salmon fisheries management in Puget Sound, including intensive work with advisors during the North of Falcon pre-season planning process.

Performs expert-level statewide professional biological studies, research and resources assessments to determine the impact of recreational fisheries on hatchery and wild salmon stocks.
Tasks include:
Reviews and provides direction on proposed recreational salmon fishery monitoring projects.  The position analyzes and interprets data resulting from those studies, develops conclusions, and formulates and prescribes management strategies for the recreational fishery in Puget Sound and statewide.  Management strategies must be consistent with the stipulations and guidelines of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the federal Endangered Species Act, Pacific Fishery Management Council management frameworks, and WA State Fish and Wildlife Commission policies and objectives.

Reviews, updates, and maintains the Puget Sound marine and freshwater recreational salmon catch database to evaluate trends in the recreational fishery.
Tasks include:
Works directly in support of agency recreational licensing and Catch Record Card issues and is responsible for the review and biological interpretation of Catch Record Card data and estimates (including interpreting data for biological accuracy and feasibility).  Produces reports, tables, graphs and interprets catch record card data in response to requests by other managers, co-managers, other agencies, user groups, and interested members of the public.  Analysis of the data conclusions developed from the database for the justification of recreational salmon fisheries.  Write final reports on experiments, studies, analyses, and research conducted under private, federal, or international agency funded projects or contracts.

Promotes recreational fishing in Puget Sound.
Tasks include:
Promotes understanding of recreational fishing issues and rules through frequent interaction with the media, fishing clubs, stakeholder groups, and other interested parties. Performs significant outreach and education work serving sport fishing communities throughout the state, including the production of videos and maintenance and updating Fish Washington website.  Works with other WDFW and state agencies in promoting fishing opportunities, including License and Public Relations units.  Develops and presents RCO grant applications to improve water-access to improve infrastructure and access for the public.

Represents the State of Washington and recreational community in fishery management forums, including as an appointed member to the Pacific Salmon Commission’s (PSC) Selective Fishery Evaluation Committee (SFEC) to evaluate mark-selective fishery proposals pre-season as well as post-season and as a liaison to Canada at their recreational fishery development public process.
Tasks include:
Works with a team of resource professionals from Federal, State and Tribal entities to evaluate mark-selective fishery proposals and their impact on salmon stocks coast wide.  The committee meets biannually for a week and submits evaluations to the PSC for consideration and discussion as part of the evaluation related to the Pacific Salmon Treaty.

Other duties as assigned
Tasks include:
Prepares evidence and arguments that may be presented in proceedings of the US or State Courts as required.  Attend training programs, workshops, and classes for the purpose of enhancing skills directly linked to this position (e.g. statistical, computer, recreational fishery management, navigation, etc.) and also for general career development.  Respond to the public, media, and industry verbal and written questions by drafting correspondence and answering telephone inquiries.

Working Conditions
Hours of work are generally 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, from 8 am through 5 pm, but seasonal evening and weekend work may be needed.  Some annual travel is required (approximately 10-12 days annually) as part of the Pacific Salmon Commission Selective Fishery Evaluation Committee.  Additional travel will be required (approximately 10-14 days annually) as a NOF team member.  Most of the work is conducted in the office (99% of the time), but field work may be conducted on rare occasions if needed.  Field work may include inclement weather, rough water, noise, odors, repetitive movements of hands, finger manipulations, long periods of sitting, squatting, walking, operating a boat with outboard motor, climbing in and out of boats, sampling salmon in a boat, carrying, bending, kneeling, lifting (50 lb. max.), working and standing in a confined space, working with fish blood and slime, slippery surfaces, raingear, equipment holsters, personal floatation devices, using knives and other equipment around fish, possible encounters with bees, yellow jackets, and other insects.

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.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
Knowledge of the Recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program (RCW 77.105).
Knowledge of Puget Sound salmon stocks, rivers, lakes, streams and marine waters.
Knowledge of salmon life histories and habitat requirements.
Knowledge of recreational fisheries in Puget Sound.
Knowledge of and established relationships with recreational fishing stakeholders (fishing clubs, conservation clubs, advisors, activists, etc.) in Puget Sound.
Knowledge of salmon hatchery principles.
Knowledge of Fisheries Management techniques and Tribal Case Law in Washington State.
Knowledge of Federal Fisheries Management Forums and Regulatory Standards.
Knowledge of coded wire tag analyses.
Knowledge of the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30).

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.