Use your independent judgement, knowledge of fish life, understanding of construction methods, and advanced technical and communication skills to help Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permittees achieve compliance with their HPA permits.

Ensure that permitted and unpermitted construction projects are carried out in a manner that is HPA compliant.

Help investigate complaints of nonpermitted and illegal work that affects fish resources, and habitats. 

Work collaboratively with other regulatory agencies and Tribes to address impacts from nonpermitted and illegal work.

 Come join a close-knit, collaborative team that embodies diversity, equity and inclusion and values each member for their strengths while working together to contribute to the protection of fish resources and habitats.

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself, conducting compliance inspections to ensure hydraulic projects are constructed in a manner that protects fish life.

These are opportunities to, ensure projects are carried out in a manner that is compliant with Hydraulic Project Approval permit provisions and the Hydraulic Code laws and rules (Chapter 77.55 RCW and Chapter 220-660 WAC).

The optimal applicants are team players who take pride in their work, are tactful and sensitive when dealing with people with strongly held opposing viewpoints and when addressing “politically sensitive” matters.

We are seeking candidates, who respect and value the opinions of others, creating an inclusive team environment where every member feels they contribute value to the project and WDFW.

*(Hydraulic Project Approval Compliance – Photo Credit: Allison Cook)

Our Compliance Inspectors,  

• Conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Hydraulic Project Approval permit.
• Evaluate damage to fish resources for non-compliance with permit provisions.
• Provide education and technical assistance to project proponents to help them understand the measures necessary to protect fish life and remedy non-compliant conditions.
• Issue a Correction Request when non-compliance is minor or potential violations are observed – inspects to ensure that corrections are made and recommends a range of increasingly strict enforcement tools if compliance is not obtained.
• Investigate complaints from the public, public agencies, or others.
• Secure written statements and other material required to document non-compliant, unpermitted, and illegal work and determine appropriate enforcement tool.
• Contact, work with, and maintain relationships with habitat biologists, fish biologists, environmental engineers, fish and wildlife officers and others engaged in the administration of state, federal, and local laws, and regulations.
• Issue Hydraulic Project Approvals (HPAs) to permit actions required to correct or mitigate for illegal, unpermitted, or non-compliant work.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment.
  2. Office work includes reading, writing, phone, and computer use.
  3. Fieldwork includes working in busy construction sites, in remote forested and aquatic environments, conducting compliance surveys, and walking over rough terrain for short distances regularly and occasionally over long distances.
  4. The duty stations for these positions are Olympia/Montesano, Mill Creek, and Wenatchee/Ellensburg. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our positions do remote work or telework (a combination of office and remote).  When the workforce is approved to return to an office setting, remote or telework may be considered.
• Schedule:
  1. Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – hours are flexible to accommodate seasonal workload or additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.
  2. The position will also be required to work occasional nights, weekend days and holidays as needed.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Traveling throughout the region i in the field 70%.
  2. Overnight travel may be required – this may include travel for several days, primarily to training workshops.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Survey equipment, GPS, clinometer, digital camera, video camera, computer, and state-assigned work vehicle.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Regular interactions with permittees, landowners, contractors, WDFW personnel, other local, state, and federal government personnel, consultants, contractors, private non-profit agency representatives, and Tribal representatives.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

          AND

          OR 

Please Note: 

• Professional equivalent experience in land use code enforcement, fish management/fish research, wildlife management/wildlife research, or habitat management/habitat research may substitute, year for year, for the education requirement.
• A Master’s degree may substitute for one year or a Ph.D. may substitute for two years of the required experience.

AND 

• Facilitation and conflict resolution skills – the ability to serve as both as a regulator and as a non-regulatory technical expert on regional fish issues is required.
• Written Communication – Exceptional writing skills are a requirement. Writing (reports, requests, orders, letters, memos, and email) should be organized, clear and concise, use principles of “plain talk”, and be effective, yet tactful.

Certifications/Licenses: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with ArcGIS and Priority Habitats and Species mapping.
• Knowledge of construction best management practices, basic engineering practices, and applicable State laws and regulations related to hydraulic projects.
• Demonstrated skill in writing and group presentations and the ability to present complex or controversial information in a way that is understandable and non-confrontational.
• Demonstrated functional knowledge of the biology, life histories, and habitat requirements of fish species of Washington.

Demonstrated ability to: 

• Take interest in and understand others’ perspectives – easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas.
• Establish appropriate assertiveness, and be committed to the service of the public, mission, and team.
• Build rapport and partner with the public, tribes, and local, state, and federal governmental agencies regarding issues pertaining to fish and wildlife protection.
• Work within the regulatory environment.
• Effectively communicate (one-on-one and participation in group discussions), independently analyze risks versus benefits in decisions and recommendations related to fish resources, and habitat issues.
• Apply negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Read and interpret construction plans and apply applicable rules and regulations – explain technical requirements to lay persons; meet and deal effectively with others.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, explain applicable laws and regulations or hydraulic project approval provisions to the public.

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. 

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

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

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 skills 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:

• 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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. 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.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status and 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.

*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks).

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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