Salary: $5,136.00 – $6,908.00 Monthly
Location: Thurston County – Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-05662
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 05/26/2023
Closing Date: 6/19/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

This expert-level biologist is responsible for independently and collaboratively developing, documenting, evaluating, communicating, facilitating, managing, directing, and implementing statewide biological studies, resource assessments, conservation plans and projects for assigned native nongame wildlife, the habitats on which those species rely, and related natural systems in Washington.

In this role, you will demonstrate specialist expertise in applied conservation biology, management, policy interpretation, stakeholder perspective, and recovery of rare and listed Species of Greatest Conservation Need with a strong emphasis on species occurring in south Puget Sound prairie habitats including Mazama pocket gopher, streaked horned lark, and Oregon vesper sparrow. Additionally, you will be a liaison among WDFW and Joint Base Lewis-McChord biologists and resource managers.

This is an opportunity to serve as the Diversity Division point of contact for south Puget Sound prairie bird and mammal species.

With your experience, you will conduct state-wide conservation and recovery – facilitation, coordination, and implementation.

You are excited to work with partners and staff to facilitate on the ground conservation and recovery actions.

We are seeking a candidate to produce and curate foundational agency documents in agency systems, from status reviews to conservation and recovery plans.

Duties
Our Prairie Species Biologist will,

  • Provide coordination within the Department and with external partners, including state, federal, non-government, and other entities, with particular emphasis with Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
  • Support development of Species of Greatest Conservation Need survey and monitoring protocols.
  • Coordinate or assist in coordinating, guide, and engage in working groups.
  • Seek funding and manage grants and contracts.
  • Integrate federal and state conservation priorities, management, and recovery actions to benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need with emphasis on Mazama pocket gopher, streaked horned lark, Oregon vesper sparrow.
  • Compile and synthesize data and information, coordinate with experts and partners, and develop 
    • Status assessments – status reports, periodic status reviews, and candidate assessments;
    • Recovery plans (threatened and endangered species);
    • Conservation strategies (sensitive species);
    • Conservation, management, and action plans;
    • Reintroduction feasibility documents and plans; and, 
    • other guiding documents.
  • Maintain familiarity with data, products, and information for the position’s species, habitats, and systems.
  • Support data and information stewardship in institutional systems.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Work Setting, including hazards:
    • Work is primarily performed in an office environment, (partial telework options available) with periodic outdoor/field work during species- and habitat-specific field seasons.
    • Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.
    • The working environment is fast paced with changing priorities and conflicting deadlines. Navigating on foot to/from/within remote environments, over rough terrain, for long days (8 to 12 hours a day) and several days in a row, in highly variable weather conditions, conducting surveys and other related tasks. Move, carry, or unload up to 50 pounds.
    • Work may involve capturing and handling wildlife including bats and working around bat aggregations which will require appropriate PPE.
  • Schedule:
    • Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.  Biologist is expected to schedule their time within a typical 40-hour work week. 
    • When field and/or grant seasons require extended hours, incumbent is expected to communicate with supervisor and team to address needs.
    • Incumbent is expected to adjust schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines, in partnership with supervisor for support, prioritization and reasonable adjustments.
  • Travel Requirements:
    • Periodic – Statewide or regional travel and occasional attendance at evening meetings required. Extended travel or overnight travel may occur.
  • Tools and Equipment:
    • Standard office equipment and programs (i.e., Microsoft Office); field equipment, personal protective equipment, survey and telemetry equipment, vehicles, computers, tablets, GPS.
  • Customer Interactions:
    • Frequent effective information delivery for and negotiation with the public, project partners, local government officials, and special interest groups (e.g., conservation, agriculture, land use, forestry).

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management or a natural resources science (wildlife biology, zoology, wildlife ecology, landscape ecology).

And

  • Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife or habitat management, or wildlife or habitat research related to species expertise.
    • Please note: Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience; Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Or

  • Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.

License:

  • Valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:

  • Ecology and biology, species distributions, and habitat associations of rare vertebrate species of Washington.
  • Population biology, wildlife habitat and ecological systems associations, conservation biology.
  • Wildlife survey, monitoring, and research techniques.
  • Wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance.
  • Grant, contract, and project management.
  • Data management, statistical analysis, spatial data analysis, information synthesis and delivery.
  • Resource management agencies missions, approaches, and means of cooperating/collaborating.
  • Conservation planning, endangered species recovery and management, game species management.

Ability to:

  • Effectively communicate with agency representatives, colleagues, and the public to gain assistance and cooperation with Department conservation planning and species recovery programs.
  • Conduct effective oral presentations at scientific conferences, agency meetings, and public meetings.
  • Write, edit, and publish professional documents and reports.
  • Cooperate and participate with conservation planning teams.
  • Lead and coordinate efforts of scientific expert teams in research and planning projects.
  • Develop successful research designs and conservation and management approaches.
  • Produce basic GIS products.
  • Manage grants, contracts, budgets, and projects.
  • Train and mentor others if needed.
  • Seek and act on opportunities to improve and streamline work processes.

To Apply
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. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4016704/prairie-vertebrate-species-biologist-fish-wildlife-biologist-4-permanent

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