FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 MARBLED MURRELET AND FOREST BIRDS SPECIES LEAD

FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 4
 

Wildlife Program – Diversity Division

Olympia, Washington – Thurston County 

Demonstrate specialist expertise in applied conservation biology, policy interpretation, and recovery of rare and listed Species of Greatest Conservation Need of native Washington forests – primarily birds, with strong emphasis on Marbled Murrelets. 

Represent the agency on and lead technical committees, act as a specialist to interpret and apply best available science, formulate regulatory recommendations, and produce institutional records, strategic plans, and communications that guide actions, legislation, and policy. 

Independently and collaboratively develop, document, evaluate, communicate, facilitate, manage, direct, and implement statewide biological studies, resource assessments, conservation plans, and projects for assigned native nongame wildlife, the habitats on which those species rely, and related natural systems in Washington. 

Marbled Murrelet in breeding plumage – Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Pacific Region. 

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself, developing near term action plans; prioritizing tasks, communicating progress, and tracking implementation.

This is an opportunity to champion and disseminate best available science as an active and collaborative information conduit. 

The optimal applicants have applied expertise in Washington Forest Practices Rules interpretation and approved conservation plans under those rules, related to rare and listed species recovery. 

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, and have an interest in fish and wildlife resource management as well as working with others in a collaborative and regulatory environment to influence sound resource management. 

Foraging White-Breasted Nuthatch – Photo Credit: Scott Fitkin 

Our Marbled Murrelet and Forest Bird Species Lead,

Conducts statewide conservation and recovery: 

• Support development of Species of Greatest Conservation Need survey and monitoring protocols. 
• Coordinate or assist in coordinating, guiding, and engaging in working groups.
• Seek funding and manage grants.
• Facilitate on the ground conservation and recovery actions.

Produces and curates foundational agency documents in agency systems:

• Conduct status assessments: status reports, periodic status reviews, and candidate assessments.
• Produce recovery plans (threatened and endangered species), conservation strategies (sensitive species), and conservation, management, and action plans. 
• Reintroduction feasibility documents and plans. 
• Conservation and issue whitepapers, including data and information syntheses. 

Provides technical guidance: 

• Maintain familiarity with data, products, and information in the positions species, habitats, and systems. 
• Support data and information stewardship in institutional systems. 
• Champion and disseminate best available science as an active and collaborative information conduit. 
• Provide technical expertise for policy and management decisions.

Participates fully in team administration and guidance:

• Related to areas of expertise, communicate with section managers, regional biologists, scientists, and other resource managers to inform support and lead work planning for regional and other WDFW staff.
• Participate as an engaged member of the diversity division respectfully supporting our colleagues in delivery of our shared mission, vision, and functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with periodic outdoor or field work during species- and habitat- specific field seasons.
  2. The working environment is fast-paced with changing priorities and conflicting deadlines; navigating on foot to/from/within remote environments, over rough terrain, for long days (eight (8) to twelve (12) hours per day) and several days in a row, in highly variable weather conditions, conducting surveys and other related tasks.
  3. Regularly move, carry, or unload equipment up to 50 pounds. 
• Schedule:
  1. Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. When field and or grant seasons require extended hours, incumbent is expected to communicate with supervisor and team to address needs. 
  2. Incumbent is expected to adjust schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines, in partnership with supervisor for support, prioritization, and reasonable adjustments.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Periodic statewide travel or regional travel and occasional attendance at evening meetings required. Extended travel or overnight travel may occur.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Standard office equipment; Field equipment, survey and telemetry equipment, vehicles, computers, tablets, Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Frequent effective information delivery for and negotiation with the public, project partners, local government officials, and special interest groups (e.g. conservation, agriculture, land use, forestry). 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

AND

• Five (5) years of professional experience related to species expertise in wildlife conservation and/or management and research

Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience; PhD in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

OR

• Four (4) years as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3 related to species expertise.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience in: 

• Performing in a punctual and dependable manner.
• Working long and irregular hours.
• Using critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data, and information.
• Following oral and written directions.
• Safely operating motor vehicles.
• Working independently and as a team member.
• Completing required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
• Effectively organizing multiple assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time.

Knowledge of: 

• Ecology and biology, species distributions, and habitat associations of rare vertebrate species of Washington with emphasis in mature and old forests. 
• Population biology, wildlife habitat and ecological systems associations, conservation biology.
• Wildlife survey, monitoring, and research techniques.
• Grant, contract, and project management.
• Data management, statistical analysis, spatial data analysis, information synthesis and delivery.
• Resource management agencies missions, approaches, and means of cooperating/collaborating.
• Conservation planning, endangered species recovery and management, game species management.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

As a result of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) issued on August 9, 2021, all Washington State Agencies are requiring employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of your employment. Pursuant to this mandate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination as a part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials – your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor prior to your first day of work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

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 (3) professional references. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

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:

• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line should 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 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.

*Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks. 

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