Job Details

Wildlife Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Region 6

Duty Station- Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County

Port Townsend, Washington is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate an alternate duty station in Shelton, Washington (Mason County) may be considered. TELEWORK: While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Are you passionate about the preservation and protection of wildlife?

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will implement and develop recommendations for wildlife management, conservation, and recreation opportunities within District 15 which includes portions of Eastern Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason counties.

This is an opportunity to assess wildlife populations and habitats, conduct inventories, and monitor diverse wildlife populations.

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

• Serves as the district's technical expert regarding wildlife population status, trends and distribution.
• Develops or co-develops wildlife surveys for District 15.
• Conducts assigned wildlife surveys and monitoring as part of statewide efforts including, but not limited to, distance sampling surveys for invertebrates, acoustic surveys for upland birds, helicopter and fixed wing surveys for big game, waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife species.
• Use of statistical methods and software to analyze data.
• Compiles and analyzes data and writes reports.
• Develops recommendations for wildlife management and recreation opportunities within the district.
• Independently evaluates biological data and develops recommendations regarding hunting regulations for review by wildlife leadership.
• Develop recommendations regarding species recovery plans and wildlife area plans.
• Provides technical expertise during development of proposed WAC changes and wildlife management policies. Develops and presents land acquisition, habitat enhancement and other grant proposals.
• Implements activities directed toward wildlife management, conservation, and recreation within the district.
• Conducts population augmentation, capture, and translocation of wildlife.
• Use of chemical immobilization drugs and related equipment (e.g. dart guns) for capturing wildlife.
• Euthanizing wildlife when necessary for humane, scientific, or other management purposes, at times requiring the use of firearms.
• Using biologically based skills, conducts complex inspections and investigations (such as necropsies of dead animals in various states of decay) to gather biological samples or determine the cause of mortality.
• Carries out harvest monitoring.
• Communicates with the public, tribes and other agencies on diverse wildlife issues within the district.
• Participates in tribal co-management activities and meetings.
• Explains data and presents options, orally or in writing, to public groups to increase public knowledge of diverse wildlife issues within the district.
• Assigns and directs the work of the Assistant District Wildlife Biologist while working in District 15.
• Assists the District 16 Wildlife Biologist with planning work, training, evaluating and mentoring staff.
• Leads team on carrying out assignments and ensures deadlines are met.
• Ensure staff have the equipment and supplies they need to safely conduct field surveys efficiently and effectively.

Working Conditions:

Work is conducted in an office and in the field. Field work includes travel to and from field sites and work in outdoor conditions often in extreme weather conditions. Field surveys are conducted by airplane, helicopter, boat, vehicle and on foot. Field work can vary from 10% to 80% depending upon season and requires working alone outdoors during inclement weather, walking over rough terrain (typically less than a mile but occasionally over long distances of several miles) while sometimes carrying heavy loads in excess of 50 pounds. Handles immobilization drugs for capturing wildlife and uses firearms when necessary to euthanize wild animals. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Core work hours for this position are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, but often include long and irregular hours to include nights and weekends as determined by business needs and emergent issues. Work outside these hours may be assigned as needed to complete work tasks.

Travel requirements: Frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout assigned area. Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of Washington for up to 1 week at a time may occur to attend conferences, trainings, assist with fieldwork, etc. Occasional travel for out of local area meetings and/or conferences may be necessary as determined by business needs and emergent issues dictate.

Customer Interactions: Numerous interactions with the public, tribes, elected officials, and other government employees by phone, in writing and in person. Gives formal presentations to a variety of audiences and interacts with hunters and others in the field. Angry members of the public and hostile interactions, although uncommon, will be encountered requiring an ability to remain calm, professional, and diplomatic.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

A Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And

Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.

Option 2:

A Master's degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And

Four (4) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.

Option 3:

A Ph.D. in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And

Three (3) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.

Option 4:

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

Option 5:

Nine (9) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.

For ALL of the options above:

• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to legally possess and use firearms in a safe and accurate manner (background check, drug screening and proficiency qualification required before firearm use).
• Ability to pass background checks, drug screening, and training to receive authorization to use a firearm.

Special Requirement/Condition of Employment:

This position has been designated as one for which a Department-issued firearm is required and essential to the Department. With the approval of the Appointing Authority or designee, provided the incumbent is able to meet the conditions and requirements of the agency firearm policy (Policy 7011), the incumbent will be authorized to carry and utilize a Department-issued firearm while in this position, provided he/she can continue to meet the requirements of Policy 7011. The incumbent must successfully pass a background check, drug screening, and required firearm authorization training, including performing animal euthanasia as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Wildlife population relationships and ecology.
• Wildlife habitat relationships.
• Wildlife survey methods.
• Applicable state, federal, and local environmental regulations and policies.
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Personal computer hardware and software (MS Office).
• Must have good oral and written communication skills – conveys clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
• Species identification.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Contract development and administration.
• Follow prescribed protocols and procedures.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data.
• Conduct data analysis and make inferences from data.
• Train and mentor staff.
• Organize and prioritize work for self and others.
• Develop effective objectives, timelines and action plans.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with individuals and groups within and outside of the organization, both in writing and verbally.
• Negotiate effectively.
• Walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Load and transport equipment and gear.