Title- Scoping Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 (BIO3)

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Fish Passage Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Fish passage restoration– Photo Credit: WDFW

The Scoping Biologist plays a vital role in advancing fish passage restoration across Washington.

Your key responsibilities will include conducting biological evaluations on Wildlife Areas, Water Access Areas, Hatcheries, private lands, local jurisdictions, and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) highways.

In this role, you will lead efforts in environmental assessments, permitting guidance, and habitat-focused design input.

Your contributions will directly support sustainable fish populations and watershed-level restoration through science-driven, collaborative solutions.

What to Expect-

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

Administer the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) Process:

In accordance with Chapter 77.55 RCW, 77.57 RCW, and Chapter 220-660- WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules).

• Provide fish passage technical assistance to agency staff, partners and others regarding the fish passage requirements of the various life stages of indigenous fish. 
• Evaluate techniques, offer management solutions, conduct project assessment and scoping work of fish passage barriers.
• Recommend project alternatives for fish passage barrier correction, screening, and habitat preservation and enhancement. 
• Work with regional biologists and project-related entities to issue Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permits.
• Independently prioritize, plan, coordinate, and implement work within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Review permit applications and conduct field reviews to provide project technical assistance to applicants, including recommendations on Best Management Practices (BMPs), impact mitigation measures, and alternative designs or methods.

Provide Program Assistance and Fulfill Contractual Deliverables Assigned:

• Conduct post-construction inspections for the Fish Passage and Screening Division Inventory (FPSDI).
• Occasionally inspect fishways and conduct spawner and habitat surveys.

Represent the Division and the Agency in an Assigned Area of Coverage:

• Develop and maintain working partnerships with WDFW programs, other agencies, local governments and interest groups.
• Coordinate technical exchange meetings with landowners, resource stakeholders, and co-managers to develop projects, identify issues, and determine approach.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Field work can vary from 10% to 50% depending upon season and requires working outdoors during inclement weather.
• Duties include working in active construction areas, periodic fieldwork in remote locations, and wading in moving water. 
• Must be able to drive a vehicle to conduct field review of project sites, work in remote forested and aquatic environments, conduct stream surveys, take stream measurements, and other related tasks. 
• Walk over rough terrain for short distances regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles) and frequently carry a light load (backpack less than 20 pounds and stadia measuring rod) over uneven terrain and thick vegetation.
• Frequent bending, stooping, and climbing in and out of streams and water areas is required. 
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

• Typically, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday with potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. 
• Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.
• May require fieldwork that consists of 8-to-10-hour days and for several days in a row.

Travel Requirements:

Some work in the field with occasional overnight travel. Additionally, this is a statewide position and therefore, there may be significant drive time with this position to attend meetings and conduct field work with various groups.

Tools and Equipment:

Backpack electro-shocker and large pickup trucks or 4-wheel drive vehicles for gravel roads.

Customer Interactions:

Interactions are primarily with the public and City, County, State, and Tribal natural resource personnel.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1:

Two (2) years of experience as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Option 2:

A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research. 

Please Note for Option 2:

• A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for education requirement if that experience is related to fish passage barrier corrections, fish passage barrier correction design, fish passage barrier prioritization, stream habitat survey work related to fish habitat, stream habitat restoration, and barrier evaluations.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Take interest in and understand others’ perspectives – easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas.
• Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness and be committed to the service of the public, mission and team.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of the following agency trainings and/or certifications per supervisory direction, position need, and training availability:

• First Aid/CPR/AED.
• Swiftwater Level 3.
• Wilderness First Aid.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Experience and training in the following:

• Salmonid life history, habitat requirements, habitat enhancement/restoration techniques for salmonids.
• Construction methods of habitat projects.
• Federal, state and local project environmental permit requirements.
• Aquatic habitat assessment methods and experience collecting biological data. 
• Familiarity with fish passage and screening assessment protocols.
• Project management or familiarity with project management techniques.
• Microsoft programs and ArcGIS spatial data analysis methods.

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.

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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04333.

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