ESA Permitting & Compliance Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 - Project - *15346-23
FULL-TIME/PROJECT
ESA PERMITTING & COMPLIANCE BIOLOGIST
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 3
Fish Program – Fish Management
Wenatchee, Washington – Chelan County
This position may be eligible for telework. The default assigned work location of all WDFW positions – both on-site and telework-eligible positions – are within the State of Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.
Anticipated Project Length: Up to 18 Months
January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Develop and design resource assessments on anadromous and resident fish populations, collect and analyze pertinent data, and develop results, conclusions, and recommendations that will be used to prepare new and/or modernize existing Endangered Species Act (ESA) recreational fishery permits.
Oversee implementation of the terms and conditions of ESA permits and provide technical guidance to fishery managers.
Giant sturgeon – Photo Credit: Brett Coffman
With that in mind, you will use results, conclusions, and recommendations to prepare ESA permits, submit to NOAA, and engage in consultations with NOAA.
In this dynamic role, you will prepare and submit ESA permit applications for consultation that cover hatchery production programs, research/monitoring projects, and recreational salmon and steelhead fisheries and provide permit implementation oversite to ensure permit conditions are being met.
We are seeking a candidate to monitor WDFW’s activities (e.g., recreational fisheries, research, etc.) to ensure take of ESA listed species does not exceed identified limits.
Duties
Here is some of what you will be doing:
ESA Permitting:
- Develop/design resource assessments on anadromous and resident fish populations.
- Use established methodologies to collect and analyze data and develop results, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Where and when appropriate, prepare and submit applications for new ESA permits or propose modifications to existing ESA permits.
ESA Permit Implementation and Compliance:
- Collaborate with fishery managers to implement the terms and conditions of ESA permits.
- Prepare and submit all required annual reports to NOAA or USFWS for ESA permits this position is responsible for.
- Provide technical interpretation to fishery managers on allowable fish management activities/actions for ESA permits this position is responsible for.
Technical Support on Hydropower Operator Mitigation Committees:
- Attend monthly hatchery committee meetings of Grant, Chelan, and Douglas County Public Utility Districts in the Upper Columbia River.
- Reviews resource plans, reports, and other technical documents.
- Provides technical interpretation and formulates regulatory recommendations to ensure hatchery production programs and research/monitoring projects align with ESA permits and/or meet the needs of WDFW and our constituents.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- This position will work mostly in an office environment (WDFW owned/leased offices and/or teleworking) to complete work products.
- Occasionally this position performs field site visits on the Columbia and Snake Rivers (and tributaries) and at hatcheries, dams, weirs, and/or traps. At these field sites, the work setting may be remote, rugged, occur during all seasons of the year, and where potentially harmful/dangerous infrastructure, wildlife and/or vegetation are present.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
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Schedule:
- Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Occasionally expected to work weekends, outside the workday, and more than 40 hours/week to accomplish work.
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Travel Requirements:
- This position is expected to travel ?10% to accomplish work.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Office equipment (e.g., computer, copier, scanner, etc.) and software programs (e.g., Teams, MS Office, etc.) to complete work.
- Position is assigned a 4WD work vehicle to travel to meetings and field sites to complete work.
- On occasion, may use field equipment (e.g., CWT and PIT readers, nets, knives, etc.) to complete work.
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Customer Interactions:
- Routinely interacts with WDFW, tribal, federal, other state, and other entities (e.g., hydropower operators) to complete work.
- To a lesser extent this position interacts with recreational anglers and/or angling groups to complete work.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
And
- Three (3) years of professional (paid) experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research..
- Please note:
- A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the require experience.
- A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
- Please note:
Or
- Two (2) years as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2.
License:
- Valid driver’s license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the required qualifications above, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Ability to work independently, think strategically, be adaptable and flexible, have strong teamwork skills, highly credible and transparent, dependable, courteous, and respectful to internal and external coworkers, ability to make sound ethical decisions, and a high degree of integrity.
- Working knowledge of and experience with the biology, ecology, life history, etc. of anadromous and resident fishes of Washington.
- Working knowledge of and experience with appropriate scientific methods and analyses and principles of fish management for anadromous and resident fishes of Washington.
- Working knowledge and experience with hatcheries and monitoring and evaluation plans associated with hatchery programs.
- Working knowledge and experience with preparing/reviewing applications for Section 10 permit and/or Section 4(d) authorization coverage of the Endangered Species Act.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable/listed on your application.
In order to successfully 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 qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
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
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington 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. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
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 Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for 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 Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
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.
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 JaymeChase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
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.
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