Title- Area Fish Biologist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division
Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This position contributes to the protection and enhancement of the fish resources within the district, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities.  

Activities to meet the mission include: 

• Overseeing and participation with on-going data collection to monitor the status and trend of fish populations; development of plans/regulations that protect stocks of concern and assure ESA compliance
• Regulation development (season setting) for recreational fishing and assist with the development of harvest plans between recreational, non-tribal commercial and tribal commercial fishers
• Providing professional service to the general public, media, local and county governments and organized sport fishing groups
• Providing leadership and supervision to technical staff.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Area Fish Biologist is responsible for,

Stock Assessment:

• Designs, plans, implements, and supervises stock assessment studies for spring/summer and fall Chinook, coho, chum, steelhead, and other species as directed within Grays Harbor basins. 
• Conducts field surveys to collect data needed for stock assessments. 
• Develops and assigns daily work activities for technical staff. 
• Uses basic biometrics and statistical evaluations to develop and maintain spawner escapement models used to estimate spawner abundances. Interacts and coordinates with tribal biologists/staff to facilitate work coordination, training, and data exchange.

Fisheries Management implementation and monitoring:

• Evaluates and assesses resources to determine management philosophies for inland fisheries and develop and implement hatchery stocking rates for in-land fisheries management. 
• Works closely with hatchery staff to communicate management philosophies and to ensure stocking rates are achievable based on hatchery capacities.

Supervision: 

• Hire, train, and supervise temporary and permanent employees, both scientific technicians and fish and wildlife biologists.
• Monitor staff training schedule and assign training as needed to meet WDFW required training.
• Monitor and coordinate daily check in and check out with field staff including scientific technicians and fish and wildlife biologists to ensure all staff have returned from field work.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Combination of office and field work.  Field work includes walking long distances through rough and uneven terrain, inclement weather conditions, and boating on both marine and fresh water. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations. Conduct aerial spawning ground and creel surveys using helicopter flights.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. but may include nights, weekend, and long hours (including long hours on-board commercial vessels).

Travel Requirements: Travel is required for field work and on-board sampling during commercial fisheries, along with occasional long distant travel.

Tools and Equipment: Operation of 4X4 vehicles, towing boats and trailers, motorboat operation in calm and sometimes swift moving water, sampling equipment, computer operation.

Customer Interactions: Interaction with public, Advisory Board members, and co-managers.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. 

Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries management or a similar natural resources field and three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research. 

OR 

Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries management or a similar natural resources field and two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Required competencies (for both options above):

• Collect and compile information and enter data/information into appropriate records.
• Strong computer skills, specifically with data software such as Excel and PowerPoint.
• Organize and screen data, recognizing valid data for the purpose and discarding irrelevant data.
• Analyze and interpret information to identify best options, or better courses of action, etc.
• Suggest or recommend decisions or options based on interpretation of data.
• Prepare written reports to communicate statistical and other findings.
• Give verbal reports of findings or recommendations (e.g. presentations).
• Make projections or forecasts based on statistical/quantitative analysis and advises policy makers.
• Identify fish species and recognize habitat characteristics.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Successful completion of agency training dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability and/or certification for assigned watercraft.
• Requires completion of both “basic flight” and “water ditching and survival” training before working aboard small aircraft.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Trained for Low-level aircraft surveying
• Certification through agency Motorboat Operation Certification Course
• Familiarity with: Operating power and drift boats, electrofishers, nets, G.P.S. equipment, Motor vehicles (cars/trucks/motorcycle, and four-wheel drive vehicles), Digital cameras, Flowmeters, Radio communications equipment, and sampling equipment.
• Experience making escapement estimates and aid in projecting preseason forecasts and run reconstruction based on statistical/quantitative analysis and advises policy makers.
• Working knowledge with a variety of software programs including Spreadsheets (e.g. Excel), word processing, and databases (e.g. ACCESS), and PowerPoint presentation software. G.I.S. software (e.g. ArcView)

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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.

Supplemental 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 spouses of active-duty military personnel 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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov and reference the job number in the subject line.

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