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. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov.

The recruitment is one (1) permanent full-time Habitat Biologist 2 in the Habitat Program- Fish Passage -Scoping. The duty station is the Natural Resource Building located Olympia, WA.

Under the general supervision of the Scoping Biologist (F&W Biologist 4) and following the agency’s strategic plan and Habitat Program business plan, this position serves as a journey-level biologist responsible for using predefined methodologies and predetermined criteria for scientific studies, surveys, and or scientific analysis: Conducts professional scientific studies and provides analysis and assessments of data collected to determine priorities or impacts relating to fish passage projects.  Summarizes and assesses data using standard statistical procedures and scientific analysis.  Develops initial reports of findings and provides recommendations to Scoping Biologists.  Responds to routine inquiries or requests for technical assistance regarding the scientific background and technical implementation of agency programs.  The incumbent will work with the Scoping Biologists regarding fish passage requirements throughout Washington and with the specific objectives listed below:

• Chehalis Basin Project:  Completes presurvey preparatory efforts and priority surveys in the Chehalis Basin, assists with maintaining a habitat survey database, ensures complete and quality data entry/deliverables for specific priority surveys prior to notifying supervisor of project completion for  final review, assists with prioritizing stream reaches using GIS, and other technical assistance associated with habitat surveys, barrier assessments, and the prioritization of human-made fish passage barriers and water diversions in the Chehalis Basin.
•  Fish Barrier Removal Board:  Organizes and conducts habitat surveys in coordination with the Fish Passage Inventory Section in order to determine barrier status of stream crossings upstream and downstream of WSDOT projects: conducts the evaluation of proposed fish passage barrier correction projects; provides technical consultation to landowners, local jurisdictions, other agencies, businesses, agency personnel, and others on potential or proposed fish passage correction projects; maintains records and prepares materials for monthly board meetings.
• WDOT Coordination:  Evaluating, scheduling maintenance, and reporting on WSDOT-owned fishways located across the state on an annual basis; coordinates meetings and site visits with project stakeholders including local jurisdictions, other agencies, businesses, agency personnel, and others on WSDOT fish passage barrier correction projects; ensures complete and quality data entry into project databases.

DutiesWorks with the Fish Barrier Removal Board (FBRB) and the FBRB Technical Review Team (TRT) on proposed project evaluation and outreach to current and potential FBRB applicants.
Tasks include:

• Conduct fish passage barrier inventory, assessments, stream survey prioritization work for man-made barriers and stream reaches in coordination with WDFW Inventory and assessment staff relating to potential or proposed fish barrier or proposed fish barrier correction projects for the Fish Barrier Removal Board.
• Use the fish passage database, GIS software, and other information from various state agencies, federal agencies, local jurisdictions, and Tribes to determine fish passage barriers that impact anadromous stocks that are listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA, or that contribute to protection and recovery of southern resident orca whales, or that limit or prevent harvest of anadromous fish, or are upstream and downstream of WSDOT fish passage projects, and provide outreach to those barrier owners about the FBRB.
• Respond to internal and external data requests.
• Analyze data and create products, e.g. maps, reports, and summaries for the FBRB.

Works with the Chehalis Basin Scoping Biologist on surveying and prioritizing stream reaches in the Chehalis Basin.
Tasks include:

• Conduct, support, and provide technical assistance to internal and external entities for directed inventories, assessments, and prioritization of stream reaches, human-made fish passage barriers, and water diversions.
• Organization and maintenance of a habitat survey database of barriers, and habitat data collected during assessment activities.
• Use the fish passage database and GIS software for data analysis and to prioritize priority 1 ASRP stream reaches for survey.
• Participate in Salmon Recovery Lead Entity meetings for the Chehalis Basin and seek and apply for grants to assist in salmon recovery or salmon habitat restoration.

Works with the Scoping Biologists on project coordination, evaluation, and technical assistance associated with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) projects.
Tasks include:

• Conducts the inspection of, schedules maintenance for, and reports on statewide WSDOT fish-ways.
• Coordinates intra-and inter-agency personnel, Tribal members and other stakeholders for attendance at project site visits impacts, and fish habitat.
• Provides general technical assistance to stakeholders related to fish life.
• Organization and maintenance of WSDOT project database and project folders.

Complete administrative duties including reporting duties as assigned by the Scoping Biologist.
Tasks include:

• Write and submit documents necessary for the day-to-day operations of the program.
• Write and submit regularly scheduled reports (e.g. monthly reports) when due.
• Providing information to complete reports for contract funding and deliverables as needed.
• Attend and participate in required training and staff meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Working Conditions:
Available for non-scheduled work week and travel, 8 hour/day, 40 hours per week.  This position requires some travel for field work and training throughout Washington State.  Long field days and overnights stays may be required.   Position will frequently communicate with landowners and other stakeholders, must possess effective communications skills with clients, local government officials, agriculture, forest, and special interest groups.  Duties require periodic field work, sometimes in remote locations and during inclement weather.
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 to 3 miles) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles).  The ability to carry up to 40 lbs. over uneven terrain, and frequent bending, stooping, and climbing in and out of stream and water areas required.
Willingness:  Willingness and ability to work extended hours as necessary to complete assignments.  May include extended travel and evening or overnight trips.
Interest:  An interest in fish and wildlife resources 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. (WAFWP)QualificationsA Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND one year of professional experience in fish management, fish research, wildlife management, wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.  OR Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for the required experience.  A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of required experience.

Knowledge of:
Fish passage requirements of salmonids
Habitat enhancements/restoration techniques for salmonids
Habitat requirements of salmonids
Fish passage and screening assessments protocols
Physical and biological data collection techniques in freshwater systems
Microsoft Office programs
ArcGIS spatial data analysis methods
Fish passage and habitat data collection
Skills & Ability to:
Highly proficient GIS data analysis skills
Excellent attention to detail quality analysis to minimize data entry errors
Ability to interpret substandard data and format for use in fish passage database
Excellent writing ability
Verbal communications skills with outside groups with varying backgrounds and expertise
Ability to manage multiple work assignments
Seek and act on opportunities to improve, streamline, and re-invent work process
Data collection experience
Creativity to solve problems
Behavioral Competencies
Self-motivated and ability to work with minimal supervision
Must conduct self in a professional manner
Interpersonal skills
Ability to work closely with others
Be accessible, timely, and responsive to internal and external entities
Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team
Written Communication –
Exceptional writing skills are a requirement.  Writing (letters, memos and email) should be organized, clear and concise, use principles of “plain talk”, and be effective, yet tactful.
Writing should be professionally written with the understanding that they are public records and as such may be read by others than the intended recipients(s).

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 competencies and qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted)
• A current resume
• Three professional references

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions may 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.

Veteran Preference Notice
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and Vet (Example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

Military Spouse Preference Notice
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov. 
• Subject line should include recruitment number, position and MS (Example:#10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov

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.