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Wildlife Diversity Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - *05408-24

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
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FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 WILDLIFE DIVERSITY BIOLOGIST
 FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 4

 

Wildlife Program – Region 6
 Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

 

This position may be eligible for telework.   The default assigned work location for this position is in Olympia, Washington.  Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.

 

Do you have a passion to help conserve and protect native fish and wildlife, especially as it pertains to the recovery of state and federally listed species and species of greatest conservation need (SCGN)?

 

Work across the region to inventory, monitor, foster, and implement recovery actions for rare species.

 

Coordinate with state, federal, and private conservation partners on identification and implementation of restoration and recovery actions.

 

With that in mind, you will prepare and present land acquisition, habitat enhancement, and other grant proposals.

 

In this dynamic role, you will develop or co-develop wildlife surveys in coordination with Science/Diversity Divisions.

 

With your experience, you will observe and assess health of wildlife populations.


 

Here are some things you will do in this role:


Inventories and monitors diverse wildlife populations, measuring population status and change for identified SGCN species within the region: 

  • Conducts assigned wildlife surveys as part of statewide efforts, which may include distance sampling surveys for butterfly species and if required, boat, helicopter, or fixed wing aircraft surveys.
  • Captures, marks, and collects biological samples from wild animals which may require the use of immobilization drugs or euthanasia.
  • Using biologically based skills, conducts complex inspections and investigations (such as necropsies of dead animals in various states of decay) to gather biological samples or determine the cause of mortality.

Collaboratively develops recommendations for wildlife management and species recovery actions within the region: 

  • Recommends actions for species recovery plans and wildlife area plans.
  • Contributes to agency input into local land use planning in the context of protecting SGCN and their habitats in cooperation with Habitat Program staff.
  • Advise on, interpret, and apply scientific findings to guide species management and policy, especially in the context of influencing habitat management and other decisions by other agencies, NGOs, local governments, and private landowners.

Lead assigned activities or develop new initiatives directed toward SGCN recovery, management, conservation, and monitoring within the region: 

  • Work with Science and Diversity Divisions, District Biologists, and others to develop, recommend and implement recovery actions.
  • Coordinate across divisions and programs to influence species recovery/habitat conservation by providing input toward Biological Opinions, Natural Resource Management Plans, Action Plans, Wildlife Area Plans, etc.
  • Lead or participate in multi-agency and cross discipline forums to guide and inform recovery efforts.
  • Carries out population augmentation, capture and translocation.

Communicates with the public, local governments, tribes and other agencies on diverse wildlife issues within the region: 

  • Responds to inquiries in a timely, respectful, and professional manner at all times conveying information consistent with agency policy and direction.
  • Participates in tribal co-management activities.
  • Participates in technical committees.
  • Listens to, understands, and evaluates requests for input to determine a needed action.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Setting, including hazards:
    • Office work includes extended work with personal computers.
    • Field work includes travel to and from field sites and work in outdoor conditions often in extreme weather conditions. Field surveys are conducted by airplane, helicopter, boat, vehicle, and on foot. Field work can vary from 10% to 80% depending upon season and requires working alone outdoors during inclement weather, walking over rough terrain (typically less than a mile but occasionally over long distances of several miles) while sometimes carrying heavy loads in excess of 50 pounds.
    • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. 
  • Schedule:
    • Core hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday, but often requires long and irregular hours (including nights and weekends) as determined by business needs and emergent issues.
    • Work outside of the core hours may be assigned as needed to complete work tasks.
  • Travel Requirements:
    • Frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout assigned area. Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to 1 week at a time, may occur to attend conferences, training, assist with fieldwork, etc. Occasional travel for out of local area meetings and/or conferences may be necessary as determined by business needs and emergent issues dictate.
  • Tools and Equipment:
    • Office equipment, personal computer/technology, mobile communication devices, field glasses, spotting scopes, GPS, cameras, 4x4 trucks (small/large), trailers, ATV’s, hand tools, and power tools (electric & gas).
  • Customer Interactions:
    • Interactions with the public, landowners, tribes, elected officials, and other government employees in the field, by phone, in writing, and in person.
    • Angry members of the public and hostile interactions, although uncommon, will be encountered requiring an ability to remain calm, professional, and diplomatic.

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And

  • Five (5) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
    • Please note:
      • A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
      • A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
      • Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Or
 

  • Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.


License:

  • Valid driver’s license.


Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

  • First Aid Training (Obtain within 6 months of hire date).
  • Wildlife handling (Obtain within 12 months of hire date).
  • Requires completion of “basic flight” and potentially “water ditching and survival” training before working aboard small aircraft.
  • Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability.

 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

  • A master’s degree in wildlife management, natural resources science, or environmental science.

Job knowledge:

  • Wildlife population relationships and ecology with emphasis on western Washington species and habitats.
  • Working knowledge of state and federal recovery plans.
  • Wildlife habitat relationships.
  • Wildlife survey methods.
  • Applicable state, federal, and local environmental regulations and policies.
  • Principles of wildlife harvest management.
  • Personal computer hardware and software (MSOffice).
  • Plant and animal species identification.
  • Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
  • Contract development and administration.

Ability to:

  • Design, lead, and follow prescribed protocols and procedures.
  • Conduct field surveys to collect data.
  • Conduct data analysis and make inferences from data.
  • Develop effective objectives, timelines, and action plans.
  • Walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 40 pounds.
  • Load and transport equipment and gear.
  • Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
  • Visually discriminate when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
  • Safely operate motor vehicles and small boats in field situations.

 

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 in the 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 Benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.

 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.

 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.

 

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 Jayme.Chase@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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