• Coordinate with multiple barrier owners to maximize habitat recovery for state and private investors.
• Provide technical consultation to private landowners and the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), serving as the primary WDFW contact and project manager for NRCS-funded fish passage projects.
• Independently assessing fish passage barriers and adjacent habitat using NRCS’s protocol, and prioritizing and coordinating multiple barrier projects.  Submit detailed summary assessment reports of site visits, and consults databases such as PHS and WSDM to address potential impacts to ESA terrestrial species.
• Assist landowners in applying for NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program to obtain funding to fix their barriers.  Looks for additional funding to implement projects such as grants or partnerships.
• Work with engineers to correct fish barriers, which includes reviewing designs for the protection of fish life.
• Knowledgeable of the environmental permitting and engineering requirements related to fish passage activities and submits for permits for fish passage and restoration activities.  These permits include Hydraulic Project Approvals, Forest Practice Applications, County permits, Water Rights Applications, and US Army Corps of Engineers permits which may require producing and submitting Biological Assessments.
• Assist with additional fish passage work needed in the division including assistance with the Fish Barrier Removal Board and work in the Chehalis basin.
• Supervise Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2.

Specific position objectives:

• Developing outreach techniques for engaging with private landowners, tribes, NGOs, and the public regarding fish passage.  This includes designing and making presentations.
• Negotiate agreements with NGOs, tribes, local working groups and others to support/partner on NRCS funded habitat enhancement projects.
• Identifies and scopes fish passage projects on non-state owned lands.  Determines amount of habitat upstream of site and potential species use.  Identifies downstream barriers.  Consults PHS and WSDM to ensure proposed projects address potential impacts to listed species.  Works with habitat engineers to ensure all appropriate correction options are considered during project scoping.
• Works with NRCS team and engineers to evaluate potential design options relative to project goals, legal obligations, resource benefits and costs, and landowner needs.
• Seeks additional grant funding to compliment NRCS funding when needed to complete a project.
• Project Management of NRCS funded projects on private, tribal or NGO lands includes applying for appropriate permits and facilitating coordination amongst permitting agencies.  Coordination with landowners, NRCS, engineers, and any additional project partners.  Fish removal in work area.  Ensure that BMPs are in place.
• Supervision of Biologist 2 will include setting goals and objectives, develops strategies to implement, and develops performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and program performance objectives are met.  Provides on-going feedback regarding levels of performance, and conducts timely and meaningful employee performance evaluations.  Develops and implements staff training and development plans to provide cross training of employees, specific job related training and other approaches to provide opportunities for staff flexibility and development.

• A Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.

OR

• A Master’s Degree in the applicable science will substitute for one year of the required experience.  A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

OR

• Two years as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2.

Must possess and maintain a Washington State Driver’s License with no restrictions or limitations.

Key Competencies — The incumbent will demonstrate the following competencies:

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills are necessary to interact and communicate with coworkers, engineers, contractors, landowners, government officials, and non-profit organizations.  Must convey clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
• Responsive to the various styles and needs of the individuals/groups with whom he/she is communicating.
• The ability to serve as both as a regulator and as a non-regulatory technical expert on regional fish and wildlife issues is required.  Being tactful and sensitive when dealing with people with strongly held opposing viewpoints and when addressing “politically sensitive” matters are very important qualities for this position.
• A comprehensive understanding of juveniles fish passage mechanisms and capabilities of native fish to overcome potential obstacles in upstream and downstream movement, specifically:
  • Understanding of juvenile fish passage requirements
  • Knowledge of life history for all species of salmonids and other WA fish species
  • Habitat requirements of salmonids
• Familiar with fish passage protocols, manuals, and design criteria.
• Experience with methods of biological data collection.
• Familiar with construction methods and engineering principals.  Additional knowledge of impacts of construction projects on aquatic and riparian habitat and resources, and measures to mitigate those impacts.
• Familiar with applicable state, federal, and local environmental regulations and policies.
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills to effectively prioritize workload and maximize efficiency.
• Balances quality of work with ability to meet deadlines by making efficient and effective use of available time, equipment and resources.  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.
• Maintain active communication with supervisor and colleagues.
• Self-motivated.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of stream ecology and restoration techniques and environmental review processes.
• Ability to analyze environmental information to apply solutions and guidelines to field problems.
• Familiar with the WDFW Fish Passage Manual and Water Crossing Guidelines, including fish passage barrier assessments.
• Experience in developing and presenting biological information to diverse groups of people.
• Interactions with private landowners about restoration opportunities/techniques.
• Experience applying for and managing grants.
• Knowledge of the culvert court case.

• This position demands a mix of office and field work with some travel requirements and infrequently requires long work days to accomplish field work in remote locations.
• Work in all weather conditions and in difficult terrain and surfaces while carrying a light load of up for 40 pounds. Field work can vary from 10% to 80% depending upon the season. Field work may involve wading in moving water while operation a backpack electro-shocker and/or operation of a boat in riverine or lake environments.
• Typical hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday.  Must be willing to work occasional weekends and nights.  Early morning or late evening work may occasionally be required.

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).

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.