Habitat Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 – Permanent – *02294-25

Description

Working Title- Habitat Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Region 1

Duty Station- *Clarkston, Washington – Asotin County

*Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station located in Clarkston, Washington as needed.  The selected candidate may be able to telework/work remotely up to 2 days per week at the discretion of the supervisor.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Lone Ranch Creek Project – Photo Credit: WDFW

Embrace this role to provide internal and external technical assistance in their assigned area to support organizational efforts for healthy, diverse, and sustainable fish and wildlife populations and their habitat.

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will work across disciplines to solve problems and work collaboratively with our conservation and community partners, integrating ecological, social, economic, and institutional perspectives into our decision making.

This is an opportunity to practice conservation by managing, protecting, and restoring ecosystems for the long-term benefit of people, and for fish, wildlife, and their habitats by embracing new knowledge and best available science to adaptively manage changing and complex conditions.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Serve as a habitat restoration and enhancement expert for priority habitat and ecosystem recovery projects within assigned coverage area.

• Serve as habitat restoration and enhancement projects lead for assigned coverage area. Assist in permitting, coordination of WDFW expertise, and ensuring consistency with WDFW strategic goals and objectives. Provide technical assistance to the public, governmental agencies, tribes, and other WDFW programs.
• Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions and values, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
• Participate in salmon recovery Lead Entity process within assigned area. Serve on technical committees, provide technical assistance, field review and rank SRFB funded projects.

Administer the Hydraulic Project Approval process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-660-WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules).

• Review permit applications and conduct field reviews to provide project technical assistance to applicants. Recommend Best Management Practices; measures to avoid, reduce or eliminate impacts to fish life; and/or alternative project designs and/or techniques.
• Coordinate participation and discussion of project proposals with other agency personnel, including biologists, scientists, and environmental engineers, in assessing project compliance with agency policies and impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
• Issue, process, condition, or deny standard, expedited and emergency HPA’s in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, agency policy, and procedures manual.
• Conduct project compliance and monitoring field review during and after construction.
• Assist WDFW Compliance Inspectors or Enforcement in identification and resolution of Hydraulic Code violations including serving as an expert witness in court cases involving non-compliance of HPA’s or appeals.

Provide biological expertise to the Department of Natural Resources for Forest Practice activities. Provide technical expertise on projects/plans in the Forested environment.

• Collaborate with state and federal forest management agencies when reviewing Forest Practice Applications (FPA’s) for impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
• Provide provisions for the protection of fish life using the Forest Practice Hydraulic Permit (FPHP) Concurrence Review process.
• Participate in Water Type Modification Interdisciplinary teams, applying expert advice on fish habitat conditions.
• Assist with the review and development of wildlife plans associated with forest practice applications.
• Review SOPA and NEPA for projects conducted on USFS lands. Serve as the technical expert for WDFW for activities on forested land.

Provide review and comment on County/City Critical Areas Ordinances and Shoreline Master Plan updates, as authorized under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).

• Foster open collaborative partnerships with City and County planners to incorporate best available science into land use ordinances.
• Provide written comments to local government planning staff during the land use decision-making process as part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), City/County Shoreline Management Plans, and Critical Area Ordinances.
• Assist City and County planners and the public in using and interpreting Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) management recommendations and mapping.
• Provide review and comment to local jurisdictions on Habitat Management Plans in accordance with local Critical Areas Ordinances. Coordinate with the local jurisdiction to assist landowners to comply with local land use ordinances.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is performed both in an office and outdoors.  Percentages of office and field work vary seasonally and can reach as much as 80% field work during busy times of the year and less than 30% during other times of the year.  Fieldwork presents additional risks and involves travel to and from field sites, often requiring work in outdoor conditions, including inclement weather and difficult terrain such as deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud.  Walk over rough terrain while carrying light loads, and tasks may vary seasonally.  This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  Employee may be called out on weekends, holidays, or other after hours for emergency permitting.   Occasional evening meetings are also required.  Incumbent may work a flexible work schedule subject to supervisory approval.

Travel requirements: Periods of overnight travel may be required, and work hours may exceed the standard workday.

Customer Interactions: Agency staff, other governmental agencies, tribal, private stakeholders, special interests, and the public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:  A bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or related field, and three (3) years of professional experience in the management or research of fish, wildlife, or habitat. 

Option 2:  Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Please note:  Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.  A master’s degree in the applicable science may be substituted one (1) year of the required experience.  A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.

License:  Valid driver’s license with no restrictions or limitations.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Experience influencing stakeholders and building rapport and functioning relationships that shape decision-making that is in line with WDFW strategic goals and objectives.
• Experience serving as both a regulator and as a non-regulatory technical expert on regional fish and wildlife issues is required.   
• Experience writing and speaking about complex or controversial information in a way that is both understandable and non-confrontational to different audiences. 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 to ensure requests and actions are professional, objective, and not perceived by others as adversarial or unprofessional.
• Knowledge of ecological processes pertinent to the Pacific Northwest.
• General understanding of regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
• Experience with regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union - WAFWP:

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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at [email protected].
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.   Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

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.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email [email protected], or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or [email protected]. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [email protected] and reference job #2025-02294.

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