Title- Private Lands Biologist 

Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2 

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent 
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
Duty Station- Clarkston, Washington – Asotin County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Hunting by reservation on private land sign – Photo Credit: WDFW

Be at the forefront of providing hunting access and enhancing wildlife habitat on private lands.

Envision yourself partnering with private landowners to enhance, protect, and restore fish and wildlife habitats on their properties, offering expert technical assistance through Federal and State conservation programs.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Private Lands Biologist will, 

WDFW Public Hunting Access Programs: 

Private Land Habitat Projects and Implementation:

• Assess fish and wildlife habitats on private lands and develop habitat plans that specify how to create, to improve or to protect such habitat. 
• Implement and monitor small-scale projects to demonstrate how habitat work can be achieved.

Farm Bill Programs:

Public and Private Conservation Programs:

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Duties include a blend of work indoors and outdoors.
• Outdoor work may be under adverse conditions of weather, including extremes of temperature and precipitation. 
• Work may include exposure to risk of injury, heavy lifting, unstable footing and operating machinery.  

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. Work schedule may vary, especially during critical periods, and may include periodic evening and weekend work.

Travel Requirements: Travel required, outside of work area travel is less than 5%.

Tools and Equipment: Tools and equipment utilized for this position are 4 X4 vehicle, 4-wheeler, tractor, rotary mowers, seed drill, disk, harrow, rototiller, sprayers, gas powered augers, computer, GPS, and all electrical and hand tools to repair equipment.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource science, environmental science, soil science or range ecology.

AND 

One (1) year of professional experience in wildlife or habitat management.

Please Note: 

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

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

The following training/certification to be obtained after hire: 

• First Aid Training. 
• ATV Certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

• Experience with USDA and Farm Bill programs, such as Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQUIP).
• Experience working with private landowners in a rural or agricultural setting. 
• Familiarity with plant species of eastern Washington. 
• Experience working with or using private lands hunting access programs.
• Pesticide Applicators License

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 #2024-11978

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