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.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov

This recruitment will fill a permanent, full-time Fisheries Biologist 3 position in the Fish Program, Fish Management, Region 4.  The duty station is the Region 4 Office located at 16018 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek, WA. 98012.

The Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist plans, develops, and designs biological studies and resource assessments, provides analysis, assessment, and interpretation of the results, and prepares final written reports.  The biological studies, assessments, and reports will have a direct impact on key programs involving fish populations inhabiting the Lake Washington Basin and, as needed, throughout Region 4.

The Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist is responsible for all of the WDFW Fish Program’s biological activities within the Lake Washington watershed, located within District 12.  As such, the Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist coordinates monitoring and research activities across programs within WDFW as well as with Tribal Co-Managers and other external government agencies, including NOAA, USFWS, King County, and the City of Seattle.  The Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist manages all contract work associated with fish monitoring activities in the Lake Washington basin, including the development of the scope of work, development of cost estimates, and implementation/oversight of all contract obligations.  The Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist is the Regional lead in planning and directing all contract related monitoring work associated with the Lake Washington sockeye program.  The person in this position hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates the work performance of multiple temporary seasonal staff hired to conduct spawning ground surveys or other biological monitoring projects in the Lake Washington Basin.  The Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist will, as needed, support any key research projects conducted in WRIA 8.

Working independently, the Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist plans, directs, and provides analysis for biological studies or research projects in the Lake Washington basin.  The Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist interprets the results of biological studies and prepares final written reports that include management recommendations affecting key fish species.  The Lake Washington Biologist directs stock assessment, stock forecasting/prediction, and hatchery evaluation studies for salmon populations inhibiting the Lake Washington basin or, as needed, other watersheds within Region 4.  The Lake Washington Biologist coordinates escapement estimates, pre-season forecasts, and other biological metrics with Tribal Biologists to achieve technical agreement with Tribal Co-Managers.

The Lake Washington Area Fish Biologist provides support for inland fish management activities in the Lake Washington basin as needed.  The Lake Washington Biologist is also responsible for the maintenance of equipment necessary for sampling and stock assessment work in the Lake Washington basin.

This position is part of the WDFW Fish Program (Fish Management Division), is located in Region 4, and reports to the District 12 Biologist.  This position contributes to the agency mission by helping to provide recreational fishing opportunities while ensuring the long-term conservation of salmon, steelhead, and inland fisheries resources, and by contributing to the recovery of federal ESA listed anadromous stocks.

Salmon and Steelhead Stock Assessment, Analysis, Prediction, and Reporting
Tasks include:
Has the principal responsibility for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of biological data, as well as the development of conclusions and recommendations for management.  Directs spawning escapement estimates, prediction (pre-season forecasts), enhancement, harvest management, life history, and mortality studies within the Lake Washington watershed.  Updates statewide databases, including the Salmon and Steelhead Stock Inventory database and the Spawning Ground Survey database.

Supervision
Tasks include:
Supervises, trains, and evaluates work performance for temporary seasonal biological staff hired to help conduct spawning ground survey work or other monitoring projects in WRIA 8.  Promotes safety in the workplace by discussing safety issues and accident/injury prevention.

Communication and Coordination of Field Activities
Tasks include:
Represents the Department on technical committees and citizen organizations, writes and reviews plans, designs and delivers presentations.  Disseminates salmon and steelhead stock information to agency staff, non-agency colleagues, and other interested groups and/or individuals.  Regularly interacts with other biologists and field staff representing State, Federal, County, Tribal, and local City governments/organizations

Working Conditions
The schedule for this position will generally be 8 hours per day, five days per week.  Seasonal travel and work in excess of eight hours per day to meet critical deadlines may be required.  Represents the Department on technical committees and citizen organizations, writes and reviews plans, designs and delivers presentations.  Disseminates salmon and steelhead stock information to agency staff, non-agency colleagues, and other interested groups and/or individuals.  Regularly interacts with other biologists and field staff representing State, Federal, County, Tribal, and local City governments/organizations

This position often requires working alone, sometimes in adverse weather conditions and remote locations.  The person in this position will be required to walk long distances in stream channels, and use a raft to float down larger rivers.  When not conducting field work, the work setting for this position will be in an office setting at a computer desk.

Responsible for:
Equipment includes a 4×4 vehicle, waders, raft, GPS Unit, wading staff, and any other equipment needed to safely conduct spawning ground survey work.  Other tools include a computer equipped with a variety of software packages.

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:
A Master’s degree in fisheries science, natural resources management, or a closely related field, and five or more years of experience conducting stock assessment work for Pacific salmon or steelhead.

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.  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.