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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.

FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 3

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time, permanent, Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 position located in the Habitat Program, Region 5. The duty station for this position is located at 1554 Bishop Road, Suite 100 Chehalis, with work performed throughout the Chehalis Basin. This position builds and maintains positive working relationships with our partners in the basin, characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation and mutual regard of Washington State.

Reporting to the Assistant Regional Habitat Program Manager, this position:

  • Leads and coordinates activities of a multi-agency external permitting team’s review of aquatic habitat restoration designs in the Chehalis Basin. Responsible for reviewing and advising on designs for consistency with permit requirements, ensuring designs meet all permit requirements, coordinating with the external Design Teams at regular intervals to discuss designs, and ensuring permit processes move smoothly and efficiently.
  • Reviews and provisions permits under the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process in accordance with Hydraulic Code Rules. The incumbent works cooperatively in prescribing appropriate resource protection requirements and mitigation for the protection of fish life.
  • Reviews of plans, permits and actions permitted by the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources, and other agencies involved in forest management activities. Promote a strong sense of collaboration and teamwork.

Duties

  • Provides key leadership and coordination of a multi-agency external permitting team  ensuring the successful review and permitting of proposed reach-scale aquatic habitat restoration projects.
  • Coordinates with Aquatic Species Restoration Plan (ASRP) Implementation Lead, ASRP Project Manager, and five external Design Teams to discuss and agree on permit requirements and coordinate tasking with external ASRP review teams (Steering Committee and Science Review Team); attends regular permitting team meetings.
  • Work closely with external consultants to develop work plans and schedules for the multi-agency permitting team.
  • Responsible for ensuring permit processes move smoothly and efficiently.
  • Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions and values, fluvial geomorphology, stream hydraulics, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
  • Administer the Hydraulic Project Approval process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-110 WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules) for aquatic habitat restoration projects in the Chehalis Basin.
  • Serve as lead for forest habitats by providing office and field review of plans, permits and actions in assigned work coverage area.
  • Provide review and comment on County/City Critical Areas Ordinances and Shoreline Master Plan updates, as authorized under the Shoreline Management Act (SMA) and Growth Management Act (GMA).

Qualifications

  • 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 — Demonstrate abilities in the following areas:

  • Self-awareness and regulation – Strong self-awareness skills, understanding and relating to different personalities and cultures in a manner that fosters collaboration, trust, and solution-oriented thinking.
  • Influence.  The ability to influence key stakeholders and build functioning relationships that shape decision-making that is in line with WDFW strategic goals and objectives.
  • Facilitation and negotiation – The ability to serve as both 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.
  • Communication and coordination – Ability to articulate complex or controversial information in a way that is understandable and non-confrontational to different audiences.  Exceptional professional writing skills are a requirement.  Writing (letters, memos, and emails) should be organized, clear and concise, use principles of “plain talk”, and be effective, yet tactful.  Exemplary social and verbal communication skills are needed to ensure requests and actions are professional, objective, and not perceived by others as adversarial or unprofessional.

The successful candidate must be willing and able to:

  • Lead, facilitate, and coordinate meetings with people of diverse backgrounds and skill sets to reach consensus
  • Contribute to a positive team atmosphere where collaboration and consensus are everyday practices, consistent with the agency strategic plan and program business plan.
  • Provide leadership and ideas for continuous improvement of program processes and be adaptive to changes in the work environment.
  • Be pragmatic when implementing environmental regulations and able to see the “big picture” at all times.
  • Be self-aware of their emotions and personality and how to flex these behaviors to fit with other personality types.
  • Ability to accept and follow supervisory direction, including seeking and accepting constructive feedback on performance and making efforts to improve as needed.
  • Exhibit self-initiative in developing or upgrading knowledge and skills, and applying that new knowledge or skill in the work environment.
  • Safely operate motor vehicles.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

  • 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.  Fieldwork also requires knowledge of the operation of a GPS, clinometer, and digital camera.  Knowledge of electroshocking equipment and procedures may 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 and occasionally over long distances (several miles).
  • Willingness and ability to work extended hours 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 in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

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.