Washington is America’s Top State according to U.S. News (2019) and we provide one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

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 is a permanent Fisheries Biologist 4 position in the Fish Program, Fish Management.  The duty station for this position is Montesano/, WA.

This position serves as the agency expert responsible for fishery management activities in Willapa Bay.  This position is responsible for designing and overseeing fisheries monitoring and stock assessment activities focused on anadromous salmonids and inland water fisheries (i.e. warmwater species, trout and kokanee). The incumbent manages fish resources to meet agency goals with respect to stewardship and utilization. Effectively implements agency objectives that require a high level of coordination and collaboration with inter-and intra-agency entities, tribes, industry and the public, including negotiating with Treaty Tribes to adopt annual salmon and steelhead spawning escapement estimates, run reconstruction, model development and forecasting of run sizes. Incumbent authors reports regarding the result of studies in technical reports, internal memos and peer review papers.  The district biologist provides input and recommendations for management and conservation actions to WDFW policy staff.

This position directly contributes to Goal 1 of the 2011-2017 Agency Strategic Vision of conserving and protecting native fish and wildlife by filling key data gaps, analyzing fish data in an ecosystem context, and providing a scientific basis for management decisions on the Olympic Peninsula.  DutiesProgram Oversight and Coordination
Tasks include
Program development and implementation of monitoring efforts associated with escapement estimates, forecasts, commercial and recreational fisheries and research aimed at filling data to aid in fisheries management in Willapa Bay.
Directly supervises two Fish and Wildlife Biologists.   Indirectly Supervises up to an additional twelve temporary and career-seasonal Scientific Technicians.
Oversees District biologists in the development of appropriate forecasting and harvest models used to establish non-treaty (commercial and recreational) fisheries.  Provides analysis and recommendations for in-season run size update models.
Publish monitoring and research findings and make recommendations to policy staff to ensure agency goals and federally mandated recovery efforts are met.
Writes reports requiring the use of advanced mathematics, R statistical program, and other statistical and application development software.
Oversee administrative duties as needed including budget tracking, equipment acquisition, performance evaluations and timesheet.
Secures external funding when necessary to support research aimed to fill fish management data gaps and support sustainable harvest. These include activities such as enumerate and/or track salmonids in freshwater using sophisticated electronic equipment (acoustic PIT arrays) or traps (e.g. weir, rotary screw, etc.) and electrofishing with the goal of improving estimates of abundance and distribution for a variety of anadromous species and/or evaluates impact of fishing methods (net type, hook type, leader length, trolling etc.) have on ESA listed salmon species.
Coordinates with, advises, collaborates with and maintains effective working relationships with local, state, and federal government officials and scientists to accomplish projects and implement special events.
Responsible for budgeting exercises associated with fish program in Willapa Bay including allotment development, reviews AFRS/Fast, track reports, monitors expenditures, corrects errors, and authorizes miscellaneous expenditures.

Lead/mentor and supervise a team of salmon, steelhead, and trout biologists whom lead monitoring and research programs within the Willapa Bay Watershed.
Tasks include:
Recruitment, hiring, budget and oversight to insure objectives outlined in position descriptions are met.
Mentor technical staff to successfully achieve project objectives and encourage scientific inquiry.
Ensure a productive working environment for team with an emphasis on safety, quality work, and professional growth.
Ensure staff have resources to complete projects according to contract deliverables.

Commercial and sport season setting including direct involvement in the North of Falcon Process and Willapa Bay Salmon Advisory Group. 
Tasks include:
Works very closely with WDFW’s South Coast Fishery Policy Lead throughout the year to resolve technical and policy issues that are identified.
Remains up-to-date and knowledgeable about the status of fish stocks and fisheries within assigned areas and the current scientific literature associated.  Identifies research gaps and designs, fundraises and implements studies necessary to fill data gaps associated with fisheries.
Develops permanent and emergency regulation proposals for waters in and around Willapa Bay and works through the process of adoption.
These tasks require collaboration and communication with a wide range of interested parties including public constituents (individuals), constituent groups (e.g. Pacific County Lead Entity, Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group, Twin Harbors Fish and Wildlife Advocacy Group, WIllapa Bay Gillnetters Association), tribal and local, state, and federal agencies other WDFW staff internal or external to the program .

Formal communication of information and Ideas
Tasks include:
Acts as the technical expert in harvest management and recovery plans and season setting including development of forecasts and escapement estimates.
Regularly publishes scientific findings in peer reviewed publications, books and internal reports/memos.
Disseminates science to the scientific community at the highest level.
Writes clearly and concisely, providing frequent succinct internal summaries capturing key ideas.
Address large groups of recreational and commercial fishers, researchers and general public.
Responds to phone calls, data requests, and in-person inquiries from the public and media.

Working conditions
Primarily Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. however there is often a need for flexible work scheduling during peak periods. The steelhead harvest management planning requires data analysis and many meetings during the fall and early winter.
Primarily an office working environment with periodic field work. There are seasonal high workload periods during the salmon and steelhead season setting processes and spawner survey and research activities associated with those same species.  The salmon season setting process requires traveling up to 4 days per week approximately 2 times each year.  Occasional out of state meetings are necessary to report findings from research activities.

Salmon spawner surveys, which at times require assistance from this position, take place in late summer through mid-winter. The steelhead surveys are conducted from March through early June each year. Salmon and steelhead assessments require a flex schedule to meet the demands of unpredictable weather and river flows which control the ability to effectively and accurately complete these important surveys.  Beach seine monitoring is scheduled around tides and weather.
Computer (either desk top and/or laptop) and necessary software, power and drift boats, electrofishers, nets, GPS equipment, motor vehicles, digital camera, flowmeter, radio communication equipment, tagging equipment a variety of tagging/monitoring equipment including various types of nets.

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).

QualificationsRequired Abilities include:
Analyze and interpret information to identify best options or better courses of actions, etc.
Prepare written, peer reviewed publications/reports to communicate statistical and other findings.
Give verbal reports of findings or recommendations (e.g., presentations).
A comprehensive understanding of current fishery science methodologies including tagging methods (PIT, acoustic, radio, genetic etc), age analysis (scale and otolith) and habitat assessment.
Proven ability to raise funds and design and implement studies aimed at improving management and understanding of Puget Sound fish and associated fisheries.
Communicate effectively with biologists and research scientists to aid in inter and intra agency collaboration

Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in fisheries management or a similar natural resource field.
Familiarity with: operating power and drift boats, electrofishers, nets. GPS equipment, motor vehicles (cars, trucks, 4- wheel drive vehicles), digital cameras, Flowmeters, radio communications equipment.
Advanced knowledge of: spreadsheets (e.g., Excel). word processing and databases (e.g., Access) Power Point presentation software, and GIS software (e.g., ArcView), statistical methodologies.
Published article(s) as lead author in a peer reviewed journal.
Experience using a variety of tagging methods to assess the status of fish populations (i.e. PIT, acoustic, genetics etc.)
Snorkel Certification

Supplemental InformationTo 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 required abilities and the preferred 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.