Area Stock Assessment Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Permanent - *05248-25
Title- Area Stock Assessment Biologist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Management Program – Region 6
Duty Station- Shelton, Washington – Mason County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Support the recovery of Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonids through field-based monitoring, data analysis, and collaborative research efforts in Hood Canal with focus on the Skokomish Basin.
In this vital role, you will contribute to the conservation and recovery of wild salmon and steelhead populations—particularly ESA-listed Chinook, summer chum, steelhead, and bull trout—by conducting monitoring and evaluation activities that inform state and federal management strategies.
Key focus areas include assessing the effectiveness of recovery actions for Hood Canal Chinook, with an emphasis on the late-timed population, and implementing stock and recovery assessments to support population recovery goals.
Your work will support coordinated fishery management decisions through comprehensive data collection, analysis, and reporting.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Area Stock Assessment Biologist will,
Salmon Data Collection:
- Collect and analyze biological and population data on ESA-listed salmonid species—including Chinook, summer chum, bull trout, and steelhead—to support stock assessment and recovery efforts in the Skokomish River.
- Conduct weekly biological sampling of Chinook salmon at George Adams and Hoodsport hatcheries (August –October), including collection of scales, DNA, coded wire tags (CWT), length, weight, number of eggs produced, and egg size in coordination with hatchery staff.
- Coordinate and conduct joint co-manager spawning ground surveys for Chinook, summer chum, and pink salmon (August–October), and steelhead (February–June).
- Conduct bull trout spawning ground surveys (September–October) and support surveys for coho and fall chum (October–December).
- Support field work with agency and co-manager technical staff throughout the Hood Canal.
Data Analysis and Program Reporting:
- Analyze release, tagging, return data, and report the results to co-managers.
- Maintain a cumulative summary of late-timed Chinook egg takes, releases, and returns.
- Generate escapement estimates for Chinook, summer chum, bull trout, and steelhead.
- Calculate return timing, return rates, exploitation rates, and smolt-to-adult survival of Hood Canal hatchery Chinook using coded wire tag (CWT) analysis.
Data Management and Communication:
- Oversee database development, data entry, quality control, querying, management and reporting for hatchery and wild fish data in Hood Canal with special focus in the Skokomish Basin.
Snorkeling Surveys:
- Conduct in-river snorkel surveys to identify, count, and/or collect fish, and or deploy and inspect field gear.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Duties are performed in both office and field environments.
- Travel to field sites and work outdoors in inclement weather and difficult terrain such as deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud.
- This position will involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
- Exposure to hazardous wildlife and scheduled or classified drugs.
- Biological sampling requires handling potentially hazardous materials, using needles, cutting instruments, and other sharp tools, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens or injury.
- Tasks may involve walking over rough terrain while carrying light loads and vary by season.
- Strict adherence to agency safety protocols, including proper training, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), is required to mitigate risks.
- Fieldwork involves rafting and snorkeling in cold, fast-flowing/whitewater conditions, walking over rough terrain in varying environmental conditions.
Schedule:
- 40 hours per week with potential for longer days and occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.
Travel Requirements:
- Travel within the district to hatchery and surveying locations.
Tools and Equipment:
- Truck, computer, phone, waders, raingear, drysuit, coded wire tag detector. Incumbent will safely operate powered workboats.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
And all of the following:
- One (1) year of professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research.
- Two (2) years of experience safely navigating Class II or higher river environments, both on foot and using watercraft such as kayaks, rafts, or pontoon boats.
Please Note:
- A Master’s degree or Ph.D. degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
- Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- First-aid and CPR training card within six (6) months of hire.
- Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability
- WDFW snorkel training and certification, with completion within six (6) months of hire once snorkeling activities resume in the department, and renewal expected annually.
- Successful completion of WDFW motorboat operator’s training course within six (12) months of hire.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
Experience in/with:
- Conducting salmon and steelhead spawning ground surveys in remote areas and rugged terrain under inclement weather conditions.
- Assessing fisheries and escapement models and proposing sampling and modeling strategies to support fishery recovery efforts.
- Clearly communicating technical and scientific information in writing, including co-manager correspondence and agency reports.
- Verbally communicating complex biological concepts in individual and group settings (in-person, phone, email, and Teams), including occasional presentations to co-managers. Frequent communication with the District Biologist, Area Biologist, and co-manager technical staff is essential to ensure coordinated program activities.
- Entering, auditing, and summarizing data using Microsoft Access, Excel, and R, including creating tables and graphs, fulfilling data requests, and managing historical datasets related to stock assessment and program evaluation.
- Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment in compliance with WDFW safety policies while performing field and office duties.
- Developing presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
- Utilizing centralized fisheries databases such as Regional Mark Information System (RMIS), Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), Coded Wire Tag (CWT), and WDFW Fishbooks.
- Statistical methods and fish population modeling.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- At least three 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov.
-
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 Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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 support@neogov.com.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-05248.