Title- Assistant District 11 Wildlife Biologist

Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program 

Duty Station- Lakewood, Washington – Pierce County

Remote Employment- While this position offers a hybrid flexibility at the discretion of the hiring manager, the successful candidate must reside within Washington State and be available to report to the Lakewood, Washington duty station as needed.

Flight Pay- Salary listed does not include flight pay – flight pay is base pay plus 15% while performing low level flight operation duties.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Envision yourself conducting biological studies and overseeing the monitoring, restoration, management and research of wildlife, habitats, and agency-owned lands within District 11, covering Pierce, Thurston, and northern Lewis Counties.

Play a vital role in regional wildlife management by conducting wildlife and habitat surveys and delivering recommendations that inform local and regional conservation strategies.

This critical position directly contributes to addressing emerging wildlife management issues on both public and private lands through surveys, habitat assessments, and wildlife planning and management activities.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant District 11 Wildlife Biologist will,

Conduct or Oversee Wildlife/Habitat Surveys and Handling, Data Collection, and Habitat Improvement:

• Conduct surveys to assess abundance, distribution, and population trends of wildlife species.
• Implement and coordinate habitat improvement and enhancement projects.
• Collect and analyze hunting harvest data; process harvested game species per requirements.
• Organize and conduct wildlife, lands, recreation, or habitat monitoring, restoration management or research studies.
• Assist with coordinate research efforts with federal, state, local governments, and private and other organizations.
• Ensure accurate sampling.
• Perform independent office and/or field investigations.
• Organize and conduct research and management projects to determine the behavior, abundance, distribution, survival, mortality, growth, and harvest of wildlife.
• Assist with recovering injured and nuisance wildlife.

Provide Technical Assistance and Support Related to Species and Habitats Through Training, the Writing of Technical Plans and Reports, and Compiling/Analyzing Data Used Within District 11:

• Compile, evaluate, analyze, and graph wildlife data using established statistical methods.
• Draft technical plans, reports, and summaries for review and submission.
• Analyze and interpret impacts on wildlife.
• Assist with formulating hunting seasons and contribute to regulation changes.
• Conduct or organize habitat enhancement projects on public and private lands.
• Lead volunteers, review technical reports, and improve protocols with technical committees.
• Support land acquisition and easement grants.
• Respond to public inquiries, conduct wildlife presentations, and participates in educational events.
• Engage with stakeholders and the public at meetings related to wildlife management.

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Fieldwork (65%) occurs in wildlife areas, open water, timber, brush, grasslands, wetlands, rugged terrain, and in high traffic areas.
• Work is performed during inclement weather, both day and night, and in a variety of environments.
• Hike up to ten (10) miles, often carrying field equipment (e.g. binoculars, field supplies, lightweight ladders, etc.) and/or pulling in supplies (e.g. kayaks, grouse wing barrels).
• Hazards include uneven terrain including snow travel, stinging vegetation, insects, biting and pinching animals, and possible encounters with wildlife.
• Often work independently, as well as with partners or volunteers, in remote or hazardous areas.
• Operate motorized (<26’ aluminum boats, rigid inflatables) and non-motorized watercrafts (kayaks, inflatables, canoes) training provided.
• Drive a standard work truck and often pull trailers with large equipment or boats.
• Some fieldwork may include working in helicopters and fixed wing airplanes.
• Must be able to navigate water in emergency situations.
• Office work (35%) is in an office setting.

Schedule: 

Typically, Monday-Friday, 40-hours per week, but may also be required to exceed these hours or work outside of normal workweek. May occasionally work holidays and weekends.  

Travel Requirements: 

Travel across District 11 on a weekly basis. Occasionally travel outside District 11 across western Washington and infrequently to eastern Washington, Oregon, or British Columbia.

Tools and Equipment: 

Personal computer hardware and software (Microsoft Office/Outlook), truck, GPS and software (ArcMap/Trimble), personal locater beacons (In-reach), radio telemetry equipment (transmitters and attachment, receivers, antennas, tracking methods), passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag, navigation (mapping and compassing), motorized and non-motorized boating equipment, wildlife surveys by air, hand tools, electric equipment (weed trimmers), lawnmowers, brush cutters, auger, drills, personal floatation devices (PFD), and field gear (hip boots, xtratuffs boots, raingear, dry bag, frame pack).  

Customer Interactions: 

Regularly interact with the public during fieldwork, including accessing private property, and occasionally encounter uncooperative individuals. Periodically work with tribal co-managers and/or on tribal lands. Conduct work on both private and public lands.  

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:  

A Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND one (1) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

Please note:

• A Master’s degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for the education requirement. This experience must be in aquatic invasive species, fish, wildlife, or natural resource management.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Obtain certification to participate in aerial flight surveys and motorboat operation within 24 months of employment (training provided by WDFW).
• Obtain certification to be issued schedule I through IV immobilization drugs (training provided).
• Ability to legally possess an agency issued firearm and willingness to utilize for euthanizing animals (training provided). This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Experience with:

• Conducting aerial wildlife surveys, including by helicopter and fixed wing, especially aerial Waterfowl surveys.
• Enhancing wetland habitats, including pond excavation, wetland plantings, and invasive plant control.
• Radio tracking wildlife.
• Western pond turtles and Oregon spotted frog.
• Conducting grassland bird surveys, specifically streaked horned lark surveys.
• Deploying wildlife field cameras, including baited camera stations.
• Operating snowmobiles and/or tracked All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV).
• Deploying passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and/or monitoring PIT-tagged animals.
• Trailers, including towing/trailering boats and/or heavy equipment.
• Operating and working with motorized (vessels <26 feet on inland waters) and/or non-motorized watercraft.

Familiarity with: 

• Using handheld data collection devices (smartphones, iPads) in the field and entering data on platforms such as Survey 123, Field Maps, and Collector.
• Humanely euthanizing wildlife, including bullfrogs.
• Wildlife immobilization and handling certification.
• Wildlife flight surveys and operations training and/or certification.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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 qualifying spouses 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 Ashley.Lee@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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-13600.

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