The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time, permanent, Environmental Specialist 3 position located in the Wildlife Program, Region 1. The duty station for this position is located at the Colville District Office.  The work area includes the counties of Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens.

This position has two primary duties: the first is to support the agency’s responsibility to resolve property damage/conflict issues associated with wildlife on private lands, which includes interactions with deer, elk, bear (crop depredation), cougar, and wolves (livestock depredation). The second duty is to assist the Private Lands Biologist in the implementation of Wildlife Program goals and objectives in developing the Private Lands Program in District 1. The successful candidate will promote responsible wildlife conservation and management while providing sustainable recreational opportunities as appropriate.Duties

• Responds to and investigates complex or highly technical complaints; performs complex inspections or field investigations; coordinates complaint(s) & priorities, schedules and assists in negotiating agreements and/or settlements; prepares final permit and/or agreement evaluation/report for review/approval; performs follow-up inspections to ensure corrective action is implemented to address wolf/livestock conflicts are resolved. Implement nonlethal countermeasures to reduce wolf depredation (fladry, hazing, etc.).
• Coordinating with WDFW and/or Federal, State, & Local enforcement staff to provide timely response & investigation of livestock mortality/injury purportedly caused by wolves.
• May perform complex equipment repair and calibrations; reviews monitored data for evaluation of equipment performance for non-lethal capture.
• Lead responsibility in the development of policies, procedures, statutes and/or regulations of a high degree of complexity.
• Directs or coordinates non-agency employees at area sites of Wildlife conflict. Oversees contractor or consultant services for compliance and certifies performance; provides assistance to other staff, agencies and the public.
• Collaborate and work with WDFW Wildlife Program, Enforcement, and private land owners to prevent, reduce, and/or control wildlife damage to commercial crops, livestock, and commercial timber on private lands (e.g., deer, elk, bear, cougar, and wolf damage).
• Develop cooperative agreements and work with landowners to reduce crop damage and minimize livestock losses from wildlife.
• Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with private landowners, tribes, non-profit organizations and other public agencies to address wildlife conflicts.
• Collect data, develop alternatives, and prioritize efforts aimed at resolving wildlife damage.
• Respond to and investigate complex or highly technical complaints; performs complex inspections or field investigations.
• Implement nonlethal techniques to reduce depredation.
• Evaluate data to determine technical compliance with regulatory requirements; provides technical recommendations regarding the development, coordination, and implementation of environmental technical assistance programs involving natural resource management.
• Collect data and maintains records related to wildlife damage complaints, crop damage losses, highway collisions, lethal and non-lethal strategies implemented, and animals lethally removed.
• Utilize existing WDFW programs and funding resources to prevent wildlife damage and provide compensation for eligible property owners.
• Seek new funding sources to address wildlife damage.
• Communicate with the public and other agencies on wildlife damage control issues, to include coordinating with volunteer Master hunters, landowners, and other agency staff to direct hunting effort to help control damage.
• Work with private landowners to implement WDFW Habitat and Access Programs.
• Facilitate public access opportunities on private lands for fish and wildlife related recreational activities.
• Work with private landowners to improve, protect, and restore habitat.
• Assist with Wildlife Program activities and other duties in collecting biological data, trapping, transfer, and releasing wildlife, and conducting priority game and non-game species surveys.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in wildlife management, environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied fieldAND two years of professional level experience in a wildlife management-related field or other allied field.

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/1530286/environmental-specialist-3-09401w