FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 HABITAT BIOLOGIST
 FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2

Habitat Program
 Spokane, Washington – Spokane County
 
This recruitment will be posted until January 15, 2024 – first review of applications will take place on January 2, 2024. Submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed at any time.

Imagine a position that requires a passion for fish, forests and the people that care about them! WDFW is seeking a Biologist to join a collaborate team that works tirelessly to enable habitat conservation by managing, protecting, and restoring ecosystems for the long-term benefit of people, fish, and wildlife in the beautiful, Spokane Valley.

Spokane Valley Cedar Waxwing – Photo Credit: Robert Brazington

Picture yourself,
 Working cooperatively to deliver technical assistance to local jurisdictions when implementing their Critical Areas Ordinance or Shoreline Master Plan and assisting the public in the use and understanding of the Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) system.

This is an opportunity,
 To work with our senior Fish and Wildlife Biologists to review plans, permits and actions permitted by the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources, and other agencies involved in forest management activities.  

With that in mind,
 The person in this position will become a Subject Matter Expert in the review and provision of permits under the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process in accordance with Hydraulic Code Rules. 

Here’s a look at what our Habitat Biologist does, 

Help administer the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-110-WAC – Hydraulic Code Rules: 

• Review and issue low complexity HPA’s in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and the agency policy and procedures manual.
• Review permit applications and conduct field reviews to provide project assistance to applicants. 
• Recommend alternative project designs and/or techniques, BMP’s, and measures to avoid, reduce or eliminate impacts to fish life.  

Assist Habitat Biologists with providing technical assistance to local governments implementing their fish and wildlife regulations under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and Shoreline Management Act (SMA): 

• Write comments to local government planning staff during the land use decision-making process as part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
• Foster open collaborative partnerships with City and County planners to incorporate best available science into decision-making.
• Assist City and County planners and the public in using and interpreting Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) mapping. 
• Review and comment to local jurisdictions on Habitat Management Plans for small and medium-scale projects in accordance with local Critical Areas Ordinances. 
• Coordinate with the local jurisdiction to assist landowners to comply with local land use ordinances.

Assist Habitat Biologists working on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Practices reviews.:

• Assist with DNR Concurrence Reviews for impacts to fish habitat.
• Assist in Water Type Modification Interdisciplinary teams, applying advice on fish habitat conditions.  

Assist Habitat Biologists with providing technical assistance for salmon recovery projects:

• Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance to restoration groups, governmental agencies, tribes, and other WDFW programs.

• Work Setting, including hazards:

1. Work is performed in both an office and outdoor environment.  
2. Fieldwork requires knowledge of operation of field equipment such as Global Positioning Software (GPS), maps, clinometer, range finder, and compass. 
3. Operate a vehicle in off-road driving conditions.   
4. Physical capacity to work in remote forested and aquatic environments, conducting fish surveys and other related tasks. These activities can consist of 8-to-10-hour days, for several days in a row.  
5. Capable of walking over rough terrain for short distances (? 1 mile) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles). 

• Schedule:
  1. Monday through Friday 8 AM – 5 PM.  These hours are flexible to accommodate seasonal workload or additional duties as assigned by the regional program manager.   
  2. Incumbent may request and work a flexible work schedule, subject to supervisory approval.  
  3. Working extended hours may be necessary to complete assignments.    
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Travel includes 25-50% time in the field doing project site visits or traveling to meetings throughout the state.  
  2. Periods of overnight travel may be required.
  3. May include extended travel and evening or overnight trips.   
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Boots, GPS, clinometer, waders, rain gear, state-assigned work vehicle. 
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Agency staff, other government agencies, tribal representatives, private stakeholders, and public.
      

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND One (1) year of professional experience in a natural resource agency working with diverse stakeholder groups to achieve conservation goals OR general experience working in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.   

• One (1) year as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 1.

• A Master’s Degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. 

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Drivers License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

• Knowledge of ecological processes pertinent to the Northwest including natural history of Washington Salmonids. 
• Experience with regulatory processes in Washington. Experience or awareness of the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA) preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build professional rapport and partnerships with the public, colleagues, tribes, and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Exhibit self-initiative in developing or upgrading knowledge and skills and applying that new knowledge or skill in the work environment.
• Knowledge of electroshocking equipment and procedures.  

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:

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 angela.rae@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 angela.rae@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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