The Opportunity:
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Environmental Services Office (ESO) is seeking a dynamic and passionate Fish Passage Biologist with extensive experience in fish passage barrier assessment, correction, and monitoring, and salmonid habitat assessment and enhancement. This position works closely with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to direct fish passage inventories, habitat assessments, fish way inspections and evaluation of fish use pre and post project. They will be the expert looked to make recommendations on fish passage designs and help resolve issues and overcome challenges in the design, permitting and correction of fish passage barriers.

Due to the nature of this work and the opportunities to build and maintain relationships, it is imperative that the future incumbent is quick to adjust to change, has solid team facilitation skills, and is responsive to the needs of our agency and those working in conjunction with our team. The most successful candidate will have a highly collaborative work management style and a drive to find and identify partnerships, along with the ability to present the technical needs of our program to diverse audiences.

If this sounds like the position for you, apply today!

At WSDOT, we value the importance of creating an environment in which all employees can feel respected, included and empowered to bring unique ideas to the agency. Our diversity and inclusion efforts include embracing different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives while fostering growth and advancement in the workplace. To learn more, please watch the following video: Why WSDOT?

This position will perform the following work:

• Participates in statewide WSDOT fish passage planning, tracking, development, permitting, and post-construction monitoring activities to provide support to the Stream Restoration Program for the delivery of the fish passage capital program.
• Works with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to track and maintain an Inventory and prioritization of fish passage barriers and projects.
• Leads post-project compliance inspections and monitoring to evaluate whether fish passage projects are effective in meeting fish passage objectives and the standards of the injunction.
• Assists with making sure the fish passage database contains current information and updates project information as necessary for planning and tracking of fish passage projects.
• Plans, schedules, and leads quarterly fish passage meetings between WSDOT and WDFW biology, engineering, and policy staff.
• Provides technical advice and information on fish passage to other WSDOT technical and professional staff.
• Authors the Fish Resources and Site Habitat Assessment chapter of the Preliminary Hydraulic Design Report for WSDOT fish passage projects.
• Works with WSDOT regions statewide to develop, construct, and monitor fish passage projects.
• Coordinates with other agencies and community organizations interested in partnering with WSDOT on fish passage and stream restoration activities utilizing grant funding from outside sources.
• Participates in ongoing reporting on the progress of the WSDOT Fish Passage Program.
• Authors the annual Gray Notebook Fish Passage article and contributes to the annual WSDOT Fish Passage Progress Report, annual Puget Sound Action Team reporting, and Results Washington.
• Helps prepare folios and posters for outreach to the Legislature, public, conferences, and professional publications.
• Contributes updates to WSDOT’s fish passage website.
• Attends and participates in meetings, professional workshops, training sessions, and seminars as appropriate to the position duties.

An ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor of Science or graduate degree in biology, ecology, ecological restoration, fish and/or wildlife science, environmental studies or closely aligned field.
• Three years professional experience in fish passage barrier assessment, prioritization, design, construction, and monitoring.
• Understanding of fluvial and geomorphic processes.
• Knowledge of fish ecology/biology.
• Knowledge of fish passage barrier correction standards and rules in Washington State.
• Familiarity with design and construction methods of fish passage projects.
• Be able to read and understand construction drawings.
• Experience with aquatic habitat assessment methods and the collection of biological data.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitat restoration and fish passage barrier correction techniques and construction methods.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local project environmental permit requirements.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license.

Note: This position is covered by a union shop provision. Therefore, as a condition of employment, you are required to become a member of the PTE, Local 17, or arrange to pay that union a representational fee. The union shop requirement shall be effective on the first day of the month following the employee’s initial 30 days in this classification.

How to Apply: Applications for this recruitment will be accepted electronically. Please select the large “apply” button at the top of this announcement. You may need to set up an account profile. To be considered for this position you will need to answer the supplemental questions, as part of the supplemental questions you will need to provide a letter of interest. Your letter of interest should describe how your experience, training and education make you a viable and competitive candidate for this position.

Contact us: For inquiries about this position, please contact Erik Lunke at 360-705-7747 or email to lunkee@wsdot.wa.gov.  Please reference recruitment number 18DOT-HQ-01191.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is an equal opportunity employer. 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 with disabilities needing assistance in the application process, or those needing this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the listed recruiter.