Title- Headwater Stream Field Sampling Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1

Job Status- Full-Time/Non-Permanent

Appointment/Season Length- Five (5) months – April 1, 2025 – August 30, 2025
 WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Priority Habitat and Species Research Section
 Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Note: While this recruitment will close on February 18, the hiring manager will begin reviewing referred applications the week of February 24. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Stream-associated amphibian sampling in small headwater stream in western Washington. – Photo Credit: WDFW

This position supports our mission by acting as a field lead who conducts biological monitoring for research projects, enters and manages data, maintains field equipment, and leads other staff, typically one other Scientific Technian, in the field. This biologist will assist on a variety of projects within the Priority Habitat and Species Research Section of the Habitat Program, including sampling headwater streams to characterize habitat and amphibian presence. The biologist will also support writing and data summarization tasks related to headwater streams as a part of the Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Headwater Stream Field Sampling Biologist,

• Conducts fish, wildlife, and habitat monitoring and research under general supervision. 
• Conducts biological surveys, including for fish, amphibians, and macroinvertebrates (i.e., diversity, demographics, condition, genetic tissue sample), and their habitats.
• Uses established procedures to characterize streams and stream habitats.
• Leads Scientific Technicians in similar field tasks. 
• Installs and maintains sampling equipment and delineates sample transects.
• Monitors water quality (e.g., flow, stream temperature, hyporheic exchange).
• Marks field locations using GPS, develops maps.
• Downloads temperature and other monitors and sensors in the field.
• Enters field data on handheld iPads in the field.
• Records tabular data, field conditions and notes on datasheets in the field.
• Support planning of study logistics including using ArcGIS Pro and FieldMaps.
• Summarize data and support report development.
• Operates pickup trucks and drives on logging roads on private forestlands, including use of CB radios to communicate with oncoming traffic.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting: Including hazards: Up to 95% field work. While in the field, hiking off-trail through vegetation that may be extremely dense and up and down steep slopes will be required. Navigating along and within small, headwater streams and steep terrain is required. Employees will frequently be required to carry a moderately heavy pack (<40 pounds) that includes sampling equipment and personal supplies, and at times a field laptop. Employees will infrequently be required to carry by hand a 5 gallon buckets, dip nets, and rebar. Field work requires bending, ducking, balancing, and crawling through, under, and over dense vegetation and woody debris. Navigating and hiking throughout managed forest landscapes on foot, and over downed trees and wood or up streams that may be slippery. Navigating and driving on urban and logging roads throughout western Washington. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Work hours are 40 hours per week – four days per week, ten hours per day – Monday through Thursday. This position is one member of a field team, there is limited to no ability to flex workdays or hours during the field season.

Travel: Field work will be a mixture of day trips and overnight lodging near study sites. In some cases, camping may be required. Extensive travel within Western Washington and Northwestern Oregon will be required.

Tools: Vehicles (4WD trucks and SUVs) that are to be driven on paved and dirt roads located in western Washington. Field and safety equipment that will be provided include: rubber boots, waders, high visibility vest, personal floatation device, hardhat and rain gear. iPads and other devices to enter data collected in the field, monitors/sensors to deploy for data collection, laptop to upload data into databases. 

Customer interaction: Interactions with landowners, non-profit, tribal, and local jurisdiction project partners are integral.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and two (2) years professional experience conducting field research, familiarity with sampling, handling, identifying, and measuring stream-associated or other Pacific Northwest Amphibians.

Option 2: Equivalent education/experience 

For both options above:  

• Experience with Microsoft software including Word, Excel, and Outlook. 
• Familiarity downloading and managing data and conducting quality control to assure data integrity in Excel. 
• Experience summarizing large data sets and tracking work completed for complex projects.

Please note:

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Two (2) years professional experience conducting field research, familiarity with biological monitoring, and water quality and physical monitoring.
• Two (2) years professional experience conducting stream-associated amphibian monitoring or conducting stream surveys in headwater timber-managed landscapes.

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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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