Senior Fisheries Research Biologist - Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - *02033-25
Title- Senior Fisheries Research Biologist
Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4
Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Take the lead in advancing salmonid conservation along the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River by managing research programs focused on artificial propagation, natural population and hatchery/wild interaction studies.
Drive long-term research planning, experimental design, and evaluation of mitigation efforts at Priest Rapids and Ringold Hatcheries, oversee a research team, supervise scientific technicians, and manage a ~$1.5 million biennial budget in collaboration stakeholders.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Senior Fisheries Research Biologist will,
Serve as Senior Technical Representative:
- Meet with interested parties to coordinate and implement research, monitoring and evaluation, or project activities.
- Lead monitoring and evaluation of Hanford Reach fall Chinook.
- Provide scientifically based recommendations on fish management/policy issues based on research, monitoring and evaluation, or project derived information and areas of expertise.
- Communicate with relevant groups to obtain necessary approvals (e.g. permits), and coordinate fieldwork
- Provide research-related data and/or results pertinent to fish resources and habitat that is of interest or importance to various internal and external user groups within a watershed or other geographical area.
Serve as the lead biologist for research/projects and oversee the Ringold Springs Hatchery Monitoring and Evaluation Programs under the ACOE and Mitchell Act programs, as well as the Hanford Reach Fall Chinook Monitoring and Evaluation Program under the GCPUD program for WDFW:
- Write research/project proposals and solicit external funding.
- Work closely with hatchery staff to implement monitoring and evaluation of supplementation programs.
- Develop and manage budgets and assist office admin in procuring necessary equipment as needed.
- Hire junior staff as required.
- Develop and implement work plans.
- Analyze data using appropriate analytical methods.
Identify and recommend actions to applicable Fish Program managers:
- Makes scientific recommendations to accomplish management priorities.
Communicate results of scientific studies and project accomplishments:
- Write annual project reports as contract deliverables or provide reports on other specific topics as they arise.
- Give presentations to constituent groups and funding agencies.
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Greater than 60% of time will be spent in an office or meeting room environment.
- Field work will be highly varied and may include exposure to extremes of temperatures.
- Walk three (3) miles in a flowing stream and lift fish carcasses weighing up to 50 lbs daily during the fall Chinook spawning season. Wildlife hazards (rattlesnakes) may also occur during field work.
- Schedule may require early and late work hours to assist project staff and includes attendance at evening meetings. Some field days could exceed 12 hours in duration. Seasonal weekend may be required.
- Must know or be willing to learn how to operate boats.
- This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments
Schedule: Typical working week will be Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. but may require to work in excess of 40 hours per week to meet critical deadlines.
Travel Requirements: Required travel to the field and occasionally regionally and statewide.
Tools and Equipment: Boats, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag equipment, and coded wire tag (CWT) detectors.
Customer Interactions: Must have professional interactions with other fishery manager and recreational anglers.
Qualifications:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1: Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
Option 2: Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and four (4) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
Option 3: Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for two years of the required experience and three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
Option 4: Four (4) years as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3.
Please Note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
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 the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- A Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research.
- Demonstrated experience leading a large research team focused on complex issues related to hatchery and wild salmon and steelhead.
- Demonstrated experience with technical writing and oral presentation.
- Demonstrated ability to represent Agency issues and positions within highly technical forums and informal meetings.
- Extensive experience operating power boats in rivers.
Your application should include the following:
- A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
- An up-to-date resume.
- A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
- 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-02033.