Habitat Biologist - Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3 - Permanent - *03101-24
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
HABITAT BIOLOGIST
FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 3
The salary listed does not include the 5% premium pay granted to all King County employees.
Join our dynamic team as a senior biologist and support organizational efforts for healthy, diverse, and sustainable fish and wildlife populations and their habitats.
Implement the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permitting process and shape environmental policies related to Forest Practices, Growth and Shoreline Management Acts, and the State/National Environmental Policy Act.
Provide valuable education and technical assistance to prompt remedies for non-compliant conditions.
Hydraulic Project Approval Compliance – Credit: WDFW
Picture yourself,
Assisting with salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest by conducting field reviews to provide project technical assistance to hydraulic construction permit applicants.
With your problem-solving skills,
Recommend best management practices, measures to avoid, reduce or eliminate impacts to fish life, and alternative project designs and/or techniques.
The optimal applicants,
Will bring their effective communication skills to foster open collaborative partnerships with City and County planners to incorporate best available science into land use ordinances.
We are seeking a candidate,
Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Duties:
Some of what our Habitat Biologist will enjoy doing,
Administer the Hydraulic Project Approval process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-660-WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules):
- Coordinate participation and discussion of project proposals with other agency personnel, including biologists, scientists, and environmental engineers, in assessing project compliance with agency policies and impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
- Issue, process, condition, or deny standard of expedited and emergency Hydraulic Project Approvals (HPA) in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code (WAC), agency policy, and procedures manual.
- Conduct project compliance and monitor field review during and after construction.
- Assist WDFW Compliance Inspectors or Enforcement in identification and resolution of Hydraulic Code violations including serving as an expert witness in court cases involving non-compliance of HPA’s or appeals.
Provide biological expertise to the Department of Natural Resources for forest practice activities:
- Collaborate with state and federal forest management agencies when reviewing Forest Practice Applications (FPA’s) for impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
- Provide provisions for the protection of fish life using the Forest Practice Hydraulic Permit (FPHP) Concurrence Review process.
- Participate in Water Type Modification Interdisciplinary teams, applying expert advice on fish habitat conditions.
- Assist with the review and development of wildlife plans associated with forest practice applications.
Provide review and commentary on County/City Critical Areas Ordinances and Shoreline Master Program updates and implementation activities as authorized under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and Shoreline Management Act (SMA):
- Provide written comments to local government planning staff during the land use decision-making process as part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), City/County Shoreline Management Plans, and Critical Area Ordinances.
- Assist City and County planners and the public in using and interpreting Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) management recommendations and mapping.
- Provide review and commentary to local jurisdictions on Habitat Management Plans in accordance with local Critical Areas Ordinances. Coordinate with the local jurisdiction to assist landowners to comply with local land use ordinances.
Serve as a habitat restoration and enhancement expert for priority habitat and ecosystem recovery projects:
- Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment.
- Will work in remote forested and aquatic environments, conducting fish and wildlife surveys and other related tasks. These activities may consist of 8 to 10-hour days, for several days in a row, during inclement weather and rough terrain.
- Operate vehicles in off-road driving conditions.
- Walk over rough terrain for short distances (less than 1 mile) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles).
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
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Schedule:
- Typically, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Monday – Friday.
- May be called out on weekends, holidays or other after hours for emergency permitting.
- Occasional evening meetings are also required.
- The percentage of office and field work varies seasonally and can reach as much as 80% field work during busy times of the year and less than 30% during other times of the year.
- May work a flexible work schedule subject to supervisory approval.
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Travel Requirements:
- Periods of overnight travel may be required, and work hours may exceed the standard 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. workday.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Field and office equipment will include a GPS, maps, clinometer, range finder, compass, phone and computer. Knowledge of electroshocking equipment and procedures may be required.
- Will wear appropriate attire and footwear during fieldwork to minimize risk of injury.
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Customer Interactions:
- Interacts with agency staff, other governmental agencies, tribal, private stakeholders, special interests, and the public.
- Will keep WDFW management timely appraised of issues in the region in order for appropriate action to be taken.
Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor's Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or related field.
AND
- Three (3) years of professional experience in one (1) or more of the following: Fish management or fish research. Wildlife management or wildlife research. Habitat management or habitat research.
OR
- Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.
Please Note:
- Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
- A Master’s degree in the applicable science may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.
- A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
Certifications/Licenses:
- Valid Driver’s License.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Knowledge of ecological processes pertinent to the Pacific Northwest.
- General understanding of regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
- Capacity and willingness to engage in crucial conversations with agency staff and stakeholders to execute the duties of this position.
- Provide leadership and ideas that continuously improve program processes and be adaptive to changes in the work environment.
- Ability to accept and participate in supervisory direction, including seeking and accepting constructive feedback on performance and making improvements.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
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 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
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 skill 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:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must 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.
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.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone at 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
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.