Working Title- Shared Stewardship Implementation Lead

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Ecosystem Services Division

Duty Station- Mill Creek, Washington – Snohomish County (duty station could be flexible within region).

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Are you passionate about preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife, and ecosystems?

Embrace this leadership role to partner statewide with the US Forest Service (USFS) on management of forests and rangelands.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, working with regional WDFW staff, regional DNR staff, National Forest staff, tribal staff, and partners to identify, plan, implement, and monitor projects under shared stewardship.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within these roles, these positions will:

Serve as one of WDFW’s Shared Stewardship Implementation Leads. Provides a single point of contact for WDFW shared stewardship implementation and provides dedicated capacity to keep projects moving forward from concept to planning, implementation, and monitoring. Builds and maintains relationships with USFS National Forest staff, regional WDFW staff, regional DNR staff, tribes, and partners to identify and prioritize projects that conserve fish and wildlife and/or improve recreational and commercial opportunities.

• Using knowledge of fish and wildlife biology and ecology, environmental regulations, policies, plans, and multiple data sources to guide implementation of fish and wildlife conservation and recreation focused shared stewardship projects in central and eastern Washington.
• Meeting with National Forest staff, regional WDFW staff, regional DNR staff, tribal staff, and partners virtually and in-person to identify and prioritize potential projects with a focus on National Forest lands and WDFW lands. This includes spending time in the field with partners and alone to become familiar with the needs and opportunities in each watershed.
• Building relationships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working on fish and wildlife conservation and recreational access in the assigned geographic area to promote shared stewardship and leverage resources to implement projects.
• Entering shared stewardship project data for assigned geographic area in WDFW’s Shared Stewardship Portfolio GIS tool.

Develops project funding proposals and negotiates agreements with partners to conserve fish and wildlife and/or improve recreational and commercial opportunities under shared stewardship, with assistance from WDFW subject matter experts, Shared Stewardship Coordinator, Contracts and Purchasing, National Forest staff, DNR staff, tribal staff, and partners.

• Working with National Forest staff, regional WDFW staff, regional DNR staff, tribal staff, and partners to develop funding proposals for projects identified as shared priorities by WDFW, USFS, DNR, tribes, and partners.
• Coordinating with Contracts and Purchasing to submit funding proposals where WDFW is the lead partner.
• Coordinating with Contracts and Purchasing to enter into agreements with partners to implement shared stewardship projects, with an emphasis on Good Neighbor Authority agreements with USFS.
• Tracking funding needs/opportunities at the WDFW region/National Forest level and coordinating with District Teams and Regional Management Teams for input on prioritization.

Where WDFW lacks capacity, manages shared stewardship projects that conserve fish and wildlife and/or improve recreational and commercial opportunities primarily in western Washington. Coordinates with subject matter experts from WDFW, USFS, DNR, tribes, and partners as needed to keep projects moving forward.

• Overseeing and approving work performed by hired contractors.
• Leading groups of volunteers to implement small-scale and low liability risk projects.
• Coordinating with WDFW regional management teams, district teams, Wildlife Area Managers, and Forest Habitats Section Manager to keep them updated on shared stewardship implementation, gather input, and tap into subject matter experts.
• Coordinating with Contracts and Purchasing, Accounts Payable, and Accounts Receivable to manage contracts and ensure contractors and WDFW are paid in accordance with agreements with partners.

Coordinates with WDFW CAPE, USFS staff, and DNR staff on public outreach to promote shared stewardship, showcasing successes and lessons learned.

• Working with CAPE, regional management teams, DNR regional staff, and National Forest staff to develop a communications and outreach strategy for the Central Washington Initiative Focal Area.
• Working with CAPE, regional management teams, DNR regional staff, and National Forest staff to implement the communications and outreach strategy for the Central Washington Initiative Focal Area.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Mix of office and field work.  Lift and carry up to 70 pounds of equipment/materials.  Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.   Must be willing to work alone in remote areas on forest roads with minimal maintenance or signage with limited or no cell phone coverage. A satellite communicator will be provided for safety when working in these settings.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Work outside of these hours may be assigned as needed to complete work tasks and may include night and weekend hours. Telework options are available if they support achieving the business need for the position.

Travel requirements: Frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout the region. Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to 1 week at a time, may occur to attend conferences, training, assist with fieldwork, etc..

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and five (5) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.

Or

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

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 will substitute 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.

License: Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned equipment depending on supervisory direction.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Knowledge of Pacific Northwest fish and wildlife biology, ecology, conservation needs, management approaches, laws, and policies with an emphasis on species in forested ecosystems.
• Demonstrated experience working with partners to build and maintain relationships with an emphasis on working with other agencies, tribes, and NGOs.
• Demonstrated experience working through contentious issues to build consensus that leads to prioritizing, planning, implementing, and monitoring projects.
• Demonstrated experience developing funding proposals with an emphasis on fish and wildlife conservation and leveraging resources from multiple partners to complete projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing fish and wildlife habitat restoration or enhancement projects, including managing contracts, overseeing work performed by hired contractors, and leading groups of volunteers to implement projects. Example projects include but are not limited to correcting fish passage barriers, addressing stormwater runoff from forest roads, improving instream habitat, restoring riparian habitat, controlling invasive weeds, restoring native plant communities, creating snags, developing early seral habitat, developing late seral habitat, removing derelict fencing, thinning forests, prescribed fire, installing gates for seasonal road closures, and building wildlife crossing structures in migration corridors.
• Knowledge and skills to prioritize, manage, and track projects, with an emphasis on GIS tools including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Survey123, and ArcGIS Field Maps.
• Competent in verbal and written communication, statistical analysis, computer programs such as Microsoft Office suite, decision making and sound judgment, strategic vision, problem solving, researching, dependability and reliability, diligence, integrity, tact, teamwork, leadership, and organization.

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 (3) 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 cheri.potter@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 cheri.potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-10469.

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