Title- Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area Manager
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin County
Hybrid/Telework- This position may allow for telework up to one day per week, at the discretion of the supervisor. 
Note: 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!

This position oversees the 22,500-acre Sunnyside/Snake River Wildlife Area across Benton, Franklin, and Yakima counties. As a senior-level Biologist, the manager leads habitat restoration, wildlife management, and public engagement efforts under the direction of the Regional Lands Operations Manager. Key responsibilities include developing and implementing a wildlife area plan in coordination with a District Team and Advisory Committee, supervising staff, managing agricultural leases, and serving as the primary liaison with agencies, landowners, hunters, and the public. The role also involves coordinating with BPA on contracts, budgets, and reporting.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Wildlife Area Manager will,

• Based on the Goals and Objectives form the Wildlife Area Plan(s), develop and implement activities to maintain/improve habitat, species, and/or recreational opportunities compatible with fish and wildlife and their habitats.
• Oversee/coordinate the planning and implementation of habitat enhancement and maintenance projects on the Wildlife Area to benefit Fish and Wildlife recreation and/or operations.  
• Prepares contracts, budgets and allotments for multiple funding sources including annual BPA contracts with budgets, statements of work and progress reports; then manages and monitors the contracts and associated budgets.  Seeks and applies for additional grant funding to support wildlife area plan implementation. 
• Develops and writes wildlife area plans and plan updates that guide habitat, wildlife, and recreation management.  

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: Position is located at the Pasco District Office and is combination of office and field work estimated at 60% office and 40% field.

Fieldwork often requires work in outdoor conditions, including inclement weather and difficult terrain such as deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Field surveys are conducted using various modes of transportation, including vehicles and on foot, and in rare cases could include aircraft. Outdoor work often includes exposure to hazardous wildlife.  In rare cases handling pyrotechnics or firearms could be required. Biological sampling and infrastructure maintenance could involve handling potentially hazardous materials, using cutting instruments and other sharp tools, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens or injury. Outdoor settings may include private land, which may be in active crop production, posing additional risks such as uneven ground, exposure to agricultural equipment, or contact with hazardous substances. This role requires maneuvering over rough terrain while carrying light loads, and tasks may vary seasonally. 

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM, at times work may be off schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies and time critical assignments.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel required. Significant daily travel from office to wildlife area units that could include highways, county roads, and primitive wildlife area roads.

Tools and Equipment: Position requires employee to drive a vehicle on primitive roads during all weather conditions, utilizing 4x4 trucks and ATV’s.   Field work requires use of equipment such as tractors, skid steers, backhoes, dozer, large trucks and marshmaster (aquatic equipment) and attachments. Work requires standard field tools, such as shovels, fence post drivers, chain saws, other power tools, binoculars, and spotting scopes.  Field work also requires operation of GPS, smartphones, and digital camera. 

Customer interactions: Position requires regular contact with external customers and stakeholders including purchasers, contractors, adjacent landowners, other governmental representatives.  Position has frequent contact with the public and wildlife area visitors.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and three (3) years of professional experience in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource science, environmental science, soil science or range ecology.

Option 2: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and 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 will substitute one year of the required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience. 

Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• One (1) year supervisory experience.
• Firefighter Type 2 certification
• Commercial Driver’s License

Experience In: 

• Effectively planning for the long-term needs of a Wildlife Area.
• Managing and administering contracts with various funding sources.
• Wildlife habitat relationships and habitat management principles.
• Applicable Federal, State and local environmental rules, regulations, procedures and policies.
• Accountability for managing budgets, staff, and other state-owned resources.
• Wildlife survey methods.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Utilizing ArcGIS
• Organizing and prioritizing work for self and others.
• Developing effective objectives, timelines, and action plans.
• Communicating clearly and effectively with individuals and groups within and outside of the organization, both in writing and verbally.
• Negotiating effectively, appropriately, and respectfully, representing the agency with the intentions of a good faith partner.
• Providing leadership, training, guidance, and correction to supervised staff.
• Overseeing volunteers.
• Following prescribed protocols and procedures.
• Conducting field surveys to collect data.
• Conducting data analyses and make inferences from data for management recommendations.
• Mediating contentious situations, including skills such as: a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and an exceptional ability to listen, communicate, and resolve complex problems.
• Using critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Working independently and as a team member.
• Using Computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet, and other applications, web based tools, e-mail, and calendar clients.
• Effectively and safely, operate additional equipment and tools including: radios and other mobile communication devices, digital cameras, spotting scopes/binoculars, global positioning systems, radio telemetry, and motion activated cameras.
• Driving a truck and tow a trailer.
• Operating ATV’s and farm equipment.
• Safely using small hand and power tools and basic equipment.

Your application should include the following:

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

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