• Provide consulting services to district/region field staff and other region personnel related to the effects of forest land management plans and activities on fish and wildlife habitats.
• Serve as district/region specialist on the integration of federal and state requirements from the department’s Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), Policy for Sustainable Forests, and other DNR policies, procedures, and guidelines as they relate to fish and wildlife habitats.
• Serve as one of two region representatives for all fish and wildlife research conducted within the region. The Region Wildlife Biologists split coverage primarily between the north and south halves of the region. This position primarily covers the north half of the region which consists of parts of Skagit County, and all of Whatcom County.

Responsibilities:
Scientific Consulting and Support:
This position provides scientific consultation and specialist support for wildlife and fisheries habitat assessments and management within DNR’s Northwest Region. The primary responsibility of the position is to provide scientific guidance allowing successful integration of required wildlife and fish habitat objectives into trust land management activities to meet landscape level and agency goals. The biologist provides consulting services for DNR foresters, natural resource managers, and other agency scientists and specialists to develop management plans that meet agency deliverables. These include silvicultural and timber harvest plans that incorporate DNR’s Policy for Sustainable Forests (PSF) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) to meet wildlife habitat objectives while also meeting trust land management goals. Consultation services can also be needed for recreation planning and for leasing and rights-of-way agreements. These services may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assess potential impacts of timber harvests, recreation infrastructure, and other site-specific management activities on wildlife habitats through synthesizing and evaluation of GIS-based information, natural resource databases (DNR, WDFW, Ecology, Federal), field inspections and assessments, and application of statistical models.
• Evaluate and consult with timber sale design (including silvicultural prescription, configuration and layout, and harvest timing).
• Consult with senior scientific experts in DNR divisions and other agencies.
• Compare and evaluate pre- and post-harvest habitat conditions to determine whether wildlife habitat objectives were accomplished.
• Prepare written reports documenting evaluations and recommendations.
• Coordinate with various other specialists such as silviculturists, archeologists, engineers, geologists, and leasing and rights-of-way providing assessments, recommendations, and inputs that can be used to draft, finalize, and alter landscape forest management plans, recreation plans, and leases and rights-of-way. These recommendations will then be incorporated into plans such as a 5-year action plan developed by a unit forester or a recreation plan developed by a recreation manager, depending on the goals and objectives inherent to the landscape.
• Develop wildlife habitat assessments and recommendations for specified wildlife to be incorporated into DNR land exchanges and other potential land transactions.
• Evaluate wildlife habitat conditions and cumulative effects of natural resource management activities within forest landscapes. This may involve the application and interpretation of mathematical wildlife habitat relationship models.
• Monitor the effectiveness of DNR landscape plans in achieving wildlife habitat objectives and identify necessary plan modifications if objectives are not being met. Review and provide written comments on proposals by others that may affect DNR-managed lands concerning wildlife and wildlife habitat.
• Provide scientific direction for implementing approved wildlife habitat enhancement projects within DNR’s Northwest Region.
• Serve as a district/region-designated old growth specialist providing evaluations and written analyses of forest stands meeting agency policies and guidance for old growth.
• With proper training, serve as a district/region-designated wetland delineation specialist, guiding land management activities.

• Coordinate protocol fish surveys in the district/region.  This includes obtaining required permits, consulting with biologists from the TFW community, and writing up results in a scientifically appropriate manner.
• Coordinate wildlife surveys as required by the HCP for threatened species or species of concern.
• As needed, coordinate with DNR divisions and other agencies to plan surveys and ensure that surveys are carried out according to required scientific procedures. Duties include hiring and supervising survey field leaders, training survey personnel, and overseeing survey field operations to ensure that all required scientific procedures are followed.
• Create and manage scientific databases and GIS layers, including summarizing, analyzing, and/or interpreting survey data.

• Develop and foster collaborative partnerships with diverse internal and external stakeholders to find creative and innovative solutions.  
• Represent the department’s interests when interacting with private operators, purchasers, businesses, governmental officials, and the public where there is involvement in sensitive, complex issues in the district/region.  
• Act as the department’s representative in reacting to a constituent or business partner inquiries.
• Read scientific papers and reports, attend scientific conferences, and serve on scientific working groups to maintain technical proficiency.
• Assist with consultations with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service when necessary.
• Work to resolve sensitive resource issues with a variety of partners.

Required Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree in natural science plus three years of professional experience in wildlife biology/management;
  OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience in applying theory, policy, principles, and practices of wildlife and fisheries biology as applied to the Northwestern United States (i.e., fundamentals of wildlife and freshwater fisheries science of Northwest species, habitat requirements, scientific survey techniques, data gathering procedures and statistically accurate methodologies, report writing and data presentations). In addition, a basic understanding of forestry and forest ecology, multiple-use principles and recreation impacts, water quality, and watershed management.
• Professional experience in the application of habitat assessments in actively managed forests where timber harvests and recreation occur.
• Experience with computer applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with GPS technology and GIS mapping products.
• Ability to foster employee motivation and performance-based recognition.
• Position Specific Competencies:
  • Dedication to a Safe Workplace
  • Communications Effectiveness
  • Team Leadership
  • Customer and Stakeholder Focus
• DNR Core Competencies:
  • Personal Accountability
  • Value Others
  • Compassionate Communication
  • Inspire Others
  • Commitment to Excellence

• Office 50%, Field 50%. Fieldwork involves driving forest roads of a variety of conditions; working alone in remote areas, and working in all inclement weather conditions across a variety of steep and rugged terrain.
• Travel may be required periodically as a function of this position.
• A valid unrestricted driver’s license and have two years of driving experience. This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years. 

• Working knowledge of forest management activities, including timber sales, road construction practices, and harvesting system techniques.
• Knowledge of the DNR’s HCP, Forest Practice Rules, and Policy for Sustainable Forests.
• Experience interpreting and consulting under other federal and state natural resources laws and practices related to wildlife and habitats (USFW, WDFW).
• Ability to and experience in evaluating SEPA documents for completeness as they relate to potential adverse impacts on earth, water, plant, and animal resources.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams.

Application Requirements:

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: at least three professional references with current telephone numbers– you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications.

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.