Warmwater Fish Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 (In-Training) - Permanent - 2025-05802

Working Title- Warmwater Fish Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management

Duty Station- *Ephrata, Washington – Grant County

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

In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 (F&W Bio 2) or Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 (F&W Bio 3) level. We will train a new hire at level F&W Bio 2 up to the F&W Bio 3 level.

Salary-Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:

F&W Biologist 2 - $4,653.00 - $6,259.00 monthly

F&W Biologist 3 - $ 5,531.00 - $7,443.00 monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Fighting Smallmouth Bass on a Fly – Photo Credit: WDFW

Do you have experience developing and conducting detailed biological investigation of warmwater fish populations?

This is an opportunity to be the expert that is primarily responsible for leading all of the Warmwater Enhancement Programs activities across Region 2!

We are seeking a candidate to identify specific areas of foundational work that aim to provide recreational and commercial fishing opportunities, and to provide fish and wildlife habitat and recreation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

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

Organizes and conducts warmwater fishery surveys on Washington lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across multiple districts, managed for warmwater and mixed species fisheries.

• Develops, organizes, and conducts warmwater fishery surveys to collect various metrics, data, and biological samples from warmwater fish populations in Region 2. Implements both standardized and non-standardized surveys using a variety of sampling gears including (but not limited to):  boat electrofishing, gill and fyke netting, long lining, etc. Designs and implements statistically valid creel surveys to quantify angler effort, catch, and harvest. Collects environmental data to quantify and characterize warmwater fish habitat and determine habitat quality. 
• Uses GIS software to plan fisheries surveys as well as store relevant spatial data derived from those surveys.
• Maintains fish survey and creel databases, directs data entry, and ensures data quality. 
• Selects and performs appropriate statistical analysis and tests on large and small data sets. Summarizes large amounts of data to inform regional management goals and objectives. Writes and directs completion of agency reports summarizing research finding.   
• Coordinates with regional and headquarters fish management staff, other agency biologists, and other cooperators to identify fish management research, assessment needs, and appropriate management solutions.

Develops fishery management projects and implements actions that create, enhance, and maintain warmwater angling opportunities in Region 2.

• Designs and implements management actions such as:  broodstock collection, fish stocking, habitat enhancement/modification, access planning/improvement, and lake rehabilitations. 
• Investigates aquatic plant management methods and pursues projects that enhance habitat for warmwater fish and fisheries. May pursue herbicide applicator license/certification and perform herbicide treatment to manage aquatic vegetation. 
• Coordinates projects with governmental entities and agencies (federal, state, local, tribal, etc.), private landowners, and other fishery stakeholders.
• Develops partnerships and conducts outreach with warmwater stakeholders and other angling groups that promote warmwater fishing opportunities.  Attends angling club meetings, fairs, and other outreach events, to deliver presentations, answers questions, engages public and support WDFW R3 (Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivation) efforts.

Utilizes biological knowledge and data to review, evaluate, and/or develop warmwater fish management plans. Interprets and applies agency and commission policy, Washington Administrative Code, state and federal environmental law to the implementation of fishery management programs.

• Functions as the Region 2 warmwater program expert that provides technical assistance, makes harvest management recommendations, and evaluates the impact of proposed regulation changes to warmwater fish populations.
• Determines measurable objectives and uses data to evaluate the success of management actions relative to established goals.
• Communicates, both orally and in writing to senior technical and policy agency staff, the scientific community, project cooperators, and as necessary the public via responding to information requests, and presentations to angling or civic groups regarding the purposes and on-going activities of respective projects.
• Advises regional staff on stocked warmwater species biology, to inform ESA-listed salmonid recovery in watersheds modified by hydroelectric development. 
• Oral presentations and lead author of written reports, attends meetings.

Supervises team members and completes administrative and fiscal tasks.

• Supervises, trains, and mentors subordinate staff (as well as agency volunteers where necessary) to support an effective and inclusive and motivated team. Promotes WDFW’s values and encourages a diverse workplace where multiple viewpoints are valued. 
• Coordinates schedules/logistics for field projects, assigns work tasks, and review work for compliance with established standards. 
• Oversees and tracks project activities to ensure progress, accuracy, and timely completion of work. Participates in team meetings to communicate status of ongoing projects and/or job tasks. 
• Identifies job-related training, cross training opportunities, and/or other approaches to provide and promote career development for subordinate staff.
• Assists with budget development and tracks warmwater spending to remain within budgets.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: This position is expected to travel regionally and statewide, to potentially isolated and rugged areas and difficult terrain such as deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud. Use off-road vehicles to reach survey/project sites, drive motorized and non-motorized boats on a variety of waters, lift or move items weighing up to 75 pounds in the field, work during daylight and nighttime hours, work during all seasons of the year, sometimes in inclement weather, use chemicals requiring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), use sharp or potentially harmful equipment, and work in areas inhabited by potentially harmful fish and/or wildlife in order to accomplish work. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Biological sampling requires handling potentially hazardous materials, using needles, cutting instruments, and other sharp tools, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens or injury.

Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  During certain times of the year, this position is expected to work weekends, outside the 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM workday, and more than 40 hours/week in order to accomplish work.

Travel requirements: Travel requirements vary year-to-year due to identified work tasks and their location within Washington.  In general, travel mostly occurs within this position’s region of responsibility, but this position is expected to travel statewide up to 25% of the time to accomplish work.

Customer Interactions: Interacts with WDFW customers on a routine basis in the field as well as during public presentations, and through e-mail/telephone conversations regarding specific questions. Occasionally encounters hostile interactions requiring an ability to remain calm, professional, and diplomatic.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

This F&W Biologist 3 series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited experience.

Candidates will be hired as a F&W Biologist 2 or 3, dependent on skills and experience.  Advancement from the F&W Biologist 2 to F&W Biologist 3 requires successful completion of the In-Training Plan, which will be provided upon hiring.

Required Qualifications for the Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2:

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.

Option 2:  A Master’s degree or higher in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

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

License: Valid driver's license.

In addition to the qualification options above, the incumbent must also have the following: 

Two (2) years of supervisory/lead experience to include delegating, training, planning, organizing, and working in teams in to accomplish project work.

Required Qualifications for the Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3:

Option 1:  Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Option 2:  Associate’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and five (5) years of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

Option 3:  A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and three (3) years of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

Option 4:  A Master’s degree fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, and two (2) years of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

Option 5:  A Ph.D. 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:  Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.  

License: Valid driver's license.

In addition to the qualification options above, the incumbent must also have the following: 

Two (2) years of supervisory/lead experience to include delegating, training, planning, organizing, and working in teams in to accomplish project work.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

This position is required to take medical exams at recommended intervals to be qualified to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) associated with working around/applying aquatic pesticides, including but not limited to dust/mist respirators.

This position is required to complete WDFW boater safety education.  Incumbent is allowed up to one year after taking this position to complete WDFW boater safety education.

This position is required to complete all mandatory WDFW training related to the use of power equipment (e.g., ATVs, chainsaws, forklifts, etc.) or other trainings as deemed necessary to complete the duties of this position.  Deadlines to complete all mandatory WDFW trainings will be established by the Safety Program.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Scientific technical writing.
• Applicable recording of information on resident fish populations.
• Report style and formatting, and statistical methods.
• Developing, implementing, and completing fisheries research including experimental design.
• Organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Developing meaningful biological information and management recommendations from collected data.
• Effective communication and interaction with agency management biologists, biologists from other agencies and tribes, agency technicians, and interested constituents.
• Personal computers, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point), and statistical analysis software.
• Environmental regulations, aquatic habitats, aquatic system(s) productivity, fish biology, and principles of population dynamics modeling and harvest management.
• Warmwater fish species and populations, as well as sampling equipment and techniques.
• Operating and towing boats up to 24 ft, including deploying sampling gears during day, night, under adverse weather conditions in rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.
• State and Federal boating laws and ability to communicate these laws and requirements as well as vessel operating techniques in a classroom environment.
• Identifying regionally applicable species of resident fish including juvenile life stages.
• Conducting study design, implementation, and reporting.
• Utilizing warmwater fisheries management and research techniques.
• Operating 4x4 vehicles.
• Equipment and techniques commonly used to capture all life stages of resident fish.

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 #2025-05802.

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