Salary: $4,892.00 – $6,575.00 Monthly
Location: Grant County – Ephrata, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job Number: 2023-03667
Closing: 3/27/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

This position enables senior land managers and biologists to implement scientifically informed management of fish and wildlife resources by providing complex technical support on the topic of agricultural and rangeland management issues.

Help design and conduct land and habitat monitoring in multiple areas of the state, interpret study and research findings for the benefit of internal and external stakeholders, and develop planning and permitting documents in fulfillment of funding and policy requirements.

This is an opportunity to provide assistance completing grazing permit and agricultural lease materials.

With your experience you will perform resource assessment and monitoring.

In this dynamic role, you will represent the Statewide Range Ecologist as needed in various meetings potentially involving public and private stakeholders, coordinated resource management agreements, the department’s activities on the Teanaway Community Forest, wildlife area plans, and/or similar scenarios.

We are seeking a candidate to provide technical assistance regarding department standards and range management.

Duties
Our Lands Ecologist

• Performs a variety of resource assessments, monitoring surveys, vegetation inventories, and research investigations addressing rangeland ecology and management.
• Recommends additional/alternative techniques as appropriate to improve confidence and effectiveness of assessments.
• Assists wildlife area managers to complete required elements of grazing permits and agricultural leases, including grazing management plans, HB 1309 Ecosystem Standards, maps, summaries, and checklists.
• Reviews and evaluates the timing, intensity, and location of land management actions, and recommend changes as appropriate to ensure benefits to fish, wildlife, and the department.
• Provides technical assistance and training that is based on scientific literature and understanding to department staff, including wildlife area managers and inter-program district and regional staff.
• Evaluates forage production and availability.
• Analyzes, evaluates, and interprets results to determine effects of rangeland and agricultural land management practices.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Duties include a blend of work indoors and outdoors. Indoor work involves extensive computer use, attending virtual and in-person meetings with WDFW staff and public/private stakeholders, and sitting or standing for long periods of time.
  2. Outdoor work may be under adverse weather conditions, including extreme temperatures or precipitation. Work may include exposure to risk of injury, such as those associated with heavy lifting, unstable footing, possible interactions with wildlife, and hazards inherent to remote wildland locations.  Work in riparian areas could occur in proximity to flowing water, and occasional wading may be required.
  3. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  1. Typically, five 8-hour days.
  2. Work schedules may vary, especially during critical periods, and may include evening and weekend work.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Seasonal field work may require regular travel, sometimes overnight.
  2. Off-season travel is only occasional.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Computers and associated equipment and software, general office equipment, cellular phones, hand tools, and large equipment.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Work with public and occasionally private landowners.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

And

• Three (3) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
  1. Please note:  A Master’s degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Or

License:

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of vegetation and plant-herbivore interactions of Washington ecosystems, especially semi-arid ecosystems.
• Ability to design and conduct scientifically sound vegetation monitoring/sampling, and to evaluate and recommend grazing and other agricultural practices in a way that benefits habitat for wildlife.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with people holding disparate opinions on public land management are essential.

Note: These skills are typically attained by completing rangeland science/management course work (approximately 12 semester hours), at least one statistics course, and at least three years of experience performing rangeland vegetation surveys, rangeland restoration, and rangeland management work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Ecology of Washington ecosystems.
• Range management policies and principles.
• Plant identification and taxonomy, soil conservation.
• Techniques for monitoring grazing and vegetation.
• Experimental design and statistical methods for analysis of ecological data.
• Software including GIS and statistical resources.

Ability to:

• Develop management plans that include appropriate and effective objectives and timelines.
• Discern internal and external land management stakeholders and stakeholder values.
• Effectively work with multiple individuals and organizations towards a common goal.
• Communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing.
• Prioritize and manage multiple projects in separate locations and with competing deadlines.

To Apply
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 professional references. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3956894/lands-ecologist-fish-wildlife-biologist-3-permanent-03667-23

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.   You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as 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 before you will be allowed to work.  Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

Supplemental Information

IMPORTANT NOTES: 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: 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).

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.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3956894/lands-ecologist-fish-wildlife-biologist-3-permanent-03667-23