FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
HABITAT BIOLOGIST
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 3

Habitat Program – Region 4
Mill Creek, Washington – Snohomish County

This position may be eligible for telework. The default assigned work location for this position is in Mill Creek, Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.

Implement the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) permitting process, and review and comment on environmental documents including Forest Practices, Growth and Shoreline Management Acts, and State Environmental Policy Act/National Environmental Policy Act documents.

Practice conservation by managing, protecting, and restoring ecosystems for the long-term benefit of people and for fish, wildlife, and their habitats.

Work across disciplines to solve problems and work collaboratively with our conservation and community partners, integrating ecological, social, economic, and institutional perspectives into our decision making.

This is an opportunity to provide internal and external technical assistance to support organizational efforts for healthy, diverse, and sustainable fish and wildlife populations and their habitat.

With your experience, you will conduct project compliance and monitoring, field review before, during and after construction.

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, fostering partnerships with City and County planners to incorporate best available science into land use ordinances.

You are excited to embrace new knowledge and best available science to adaptively manage changing and complex conditions.

Duties:

Here are some things you will do in this role: 

Administer the Hydraulic Project Approval process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-660-WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules): 

• Review permit applications and conduct field reviews to provide project technical assistance to applicants. Recommend Best Management Practices; measures to avoid, reduce or eliminate impacts to fish life; and/or alternative project designs and/or techniques.
• Coordinate participation and discussion of project proposals with other agency personnel, including biologists, scientists, and environmental engineers, in assessing project compliance with agency policies and impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
• Issue, process, condition, or deny standard, expedited and emergency HPA’s in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, agency policy, and procedures manual.

Provide biological expertise to the Department of Natural Resources for Forest Practice activities: 

• Collaborate with state and federal forest management agencies when reviewing Forest Practice Applications (FPA’s) for impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
• Provide provisions for the protection of fish life using the Forest Practice Hydraulic Permit (FPHP) Concurrence Review process.
• Participate in Water Type Modification Interdisciplinary teams, applying expert advice on fish habitat conditions.
• Assist with the review and development of wildlife plans associated with forest practice applications.

Provide review and comment on County/City Critical Areas Ordinances and Shoreline Master Program updates and implementation activities, as authorized under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and Shoreline Management Act (SMA): 

• Foster open collaborative partnerships with City and County planners to incorporate best available science into land use ordinances.
• Provide written comments to local government planning staff during the land use decision-making process as part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), City/County Shoreline Management Plans, and Critical Area Ordinances.
• Assist city and county planners and the public in using and interpreting Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) management recommendations and mapping.

Serve as a habitat restoration and enhancement expert for priority habitat and ecosystem recovery projects within assigned coverage area: 

• Serve as habitat restoration and enhancement projects lead for assigned coverage area. Assist in permitting, coordination of WDFW expertise, and ensuring consistency with WDFW strategic goals and objectives. Provide technical assistance to the public, governmental agencies, tribes, and other WDFW programs.
• Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions and values, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
• Participate in salmon recovery Lead Entity process within assigned area. Serve on technical committees, provide technical assistance, field review and rank SRFB funded projects.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment.  Percentages of office and field work vary seasonally, and can reach as much as 80% field work during busy times of the year and less than 30% during other times of the year.
  • Fieldwork requires knowledge of operation of field equipment (GPS, maps, clinometer, range finder, compass, etc.). Knowledge of electroshocking equipment and procedures may be required.
  • Operate vehicles in off-road driving conditions.
  • Working in remote forested and aquatic environments, conducting fish and wildlife surveys and other related tasks. These activities may consist of 8- to 10-hour days for several days in a row, and during inclement weather and rough terrain.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
  • Walk over rough terrain for short distances (<1 mile) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles). 
• Schedule:
  • Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
  • May be called out on weekends, holidays, or other after hours for emergency permitting. Occasional evening meetings are also required.
  • Overnight travel may require work hours to exceed the typical workday schedule. 
• Travel Requirements:
  • Periods of overnight travel may be required.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Boots, GPS, clinometer, waders, rain gear, computer, phone, state-assigned work vehicle.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Agency staff, other governmental agencies, tribal, private stakeholders, special interests, and the public.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor's Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or related field.

And

• Three (3) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.

Or

• 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 in applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Doctorate degree in applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

License:

• Valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• Knowledge of ecological processes pertinent to the Pacific Northwest.
• General understanding of regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
• Demonstrated organization and time management skills to optimize work efficiency.
• Become an engaged team member where collaboration and consensus are everyday practices.
• Capacity and willingness to engage in crucial conversations with agency staff and stakeholders to execute the duties of this position.
• Provide leadership and ideas that continuously improve program processes and be adaptive to changes in the work environment.
• Ability to accept and participate in supervisory direction, including seeking and accepting constructive feedback on performance and making improvements.
• Exhibit self-initiative in developing or upgrading knowledge and skills pertaining to work, and applying that new knowledge or skill in the work environment.

Supplemental Information:

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following Benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

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.

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.

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.

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