Fish Passage Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Project - 2025-06461

Working Title- Fish Passage Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Project

Appointment/Season Length- 18 Months - This is a project appointment anticipated to last approximately eighteen (18) months.

WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Fish Passage Division

Duty Station- *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

*Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station located in Olympia, Washington as needed.  The selected candidate may be able to telework/work remotely up to 1 days per week at the discretion of the supervisor.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Fish barrier assessment – Photo Credit: WDFW

Be a central figure in gathering and analyzing data to determine the ability of salmon and steelhead to access spawning and rearing habitat that contributes to prioritization efforts.

In this dynamic role, you will provide technical assistance associated with fish passage inventories, barrier assessments, and the prioritization of human-made fish passage barriers and water diversions across Washington State

With your experience, you will provide analysis and assessment of the impacts of fish passage barriers on available habitat.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Provide technical assistance using established and evolving protocols, and other standard operating procedures, to support fish passage barrier inventory and assessment.

• Provide support and technical assistance to internal and external entities for directed inventories, assessments, and prioritization of human-made fish passage barriers and water diversions.
• Assist the Fish Passage Training Coordinator with training activities for internal and external groups.  
• Participate in the organization of data activities with emphasis on managing, interpreting, and conducting QA/QC of barrier and habitat data collected during inventory and assessment activities.
• Use the fish passage database and GIS software frequently for data analysis and to provide data support for Fish Passage field crew.

Primary planning of priority survey work dictated by supervisor and ensure crew protocol adherence.

• Delegating portions of planning to crew (landowner outreach, obtaining known data site information, identifying potential species use, etc.).
• Creating pre-survey maps of locations for field crews to investigate.
• Providing project specific task lists and delivering survey plan, protocol, and objectives to crew.

Crew data management support, review, and QA/QC.

• Ensure crew adherence to data management rules.
• Conduct quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of data collected by crews working on priority surveys, including species distribution determinations for each site, etc.
• Ensure that all crew level data entry is finalized for data deliverables, especially for transportation reassessments and habitat surveys.

Collect field data and communication with crew supervisor.

• Conduct fish passage barrier inventory, assessments, stream survey prioritization work for man-made barriers and stream reaches.
• Periodic progress updates to supervisor.
• Provide feedback on daily operations: where does team need support (training, equipment, etc.), identifying efficiencies, suggestions for improving protocols, documenting and updating standard operating procedures, identifying equipment needs, vehicle needs etc.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: This position demands a mix of office and fieldwork.  Fieldwork includes ability to work long hours in inclement weather conditions along busy state highways and while hiking off-trail up and down extremely steep slopes (road prisms and natural), through dense vegetation, climbing over and around log jams and wood debris on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces while carrying or moving up to 30lbs of field gear. Carry or move up to 40 lbs. over uneven terrain, and frequent bending, stooping, and climbing in and out of streams and water areas is required. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position will be working four (4) 10-hour days (40-hour workweek), Monday-Thursday, 7:00 – 5:30 PM. Some long workdays may be required to accomplish fieldwork in remote locations.

Travel requirements: This position requires driving to and from field work and training throughout Washington State. Long field days and overnight stays may be required.

Customer Interactions: Interacts with public and agency personnel, including habitat restoration project partners, state and local government officials, tribal representatives, agriculture and forestry industries, non-profits, special interest groups, and private landowners.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:  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 or Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for the required experience.

Option 2:  An Associate’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and three (3) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

Option 3:  Five (5) years of experience in fish habitat assessments, fish passage evaluations, and/or life history of anadromous fish, particularly freshwater spawning and rearing habitat.

License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Successful completion of agency training dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

First Aid/CPR, Wilderness First Aid.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Experience in:

• Experience collecting and managing data.
• Experienced in use of MS Office package including Word, Excel, Access, and ArcGIS.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Closely follow standard protocols and perform work under moderate to low supervision.
• Adapt to a flexible work schedule and travel on fairly short notice.
• Work comfortably, and safely along busy roadways and at water crossing structures.
• Be accessible, timely and responsive to internal and external requests.

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 (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 #2025-06461.

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