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Natural Resource Scientist

Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Olympia, Washington

Job Type Temporary
Salary $4,632 - $6,227 per month
Benefits http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html
Deadline Mar 04, 2026

Federal Lands Natural Resource Scientist, Natural Resource Scientist 2 (NRSci2)
Full-time, Non-permanent, Represented position (WPEA)
Anticipated Non-permanent employment is 05/04/2026-10/30/2026
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $4,632.00 - $6,227.00 Monthly

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 02/11/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Responsibilities:

  • Performs fish and wildlife field surveys and report writing in support of projects to meet ESA and NEPA standards. 
  • Willingness to work independently, or as a part of a team, conducting field reconnaissance in remote locations, often with no cell phone service. Demonstrates the capacity to solve problems.
  • Participate on interdisciplinary teams to evaluate the impact of agency or non-agency activities on federal lands. This may include supporting/performing interdisciplinary scientific field surveys.
  • Ability to work safely in challenging, rough terrain, adverse weather, and in swift-moving water. Responsible for maintaining field equipment and may be required to carry up to 40lbs.
  • Support planning and executing administrative studies and surveys. Activities include the preparation of maps, surveys, ESA historic and sensitive data, and reports. Prevent or mitigate impacts associated with land management.
  • Records field conditions, taking detailed notes, and filling out data forms in designated project unit boundaries in support of NEPA decisions for forest restoration and wildfire resilience activities. 
  • Records and organizes data on Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species in accordance with federal and state agency standards.
  • Works alongside a variety of resource specialists, including fish and wildlife biologists, geologists, archaeologists, and forestry interdisciplinary team members.
  • Communicates orally and in writing to provide formal and informal briefings to technical experts. Helps communicate technical reports to the public in lay terms.
  • Engage at the interagency level with partners to discuss project-related requests, address barriers, and recommend solutions. 
  • Coordinate closely with partner planning managers and specialists in activities conducted by the Federal Lands Environmental Planning Program.  Regularly engage in field, virtual, or in-person meetings to ensure projects meet or exceed expectations and requirements. 
  • Provide exceptional customer service when engaging with internal and external partners. Demonstrate mutual respect between agencies through professional and punctual response times.

Required Qualifications: 

  • A Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences;
    OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience in collecting and analyzing natural resource scientific data.
  • Experience with GIS and Microsoft Office Suites, field recording software/ applications (Field maps, Avenza Maps, etc.).
  • Experience in data entry and management.
  • History of positive, responsive, cooperative, collaborative interaction with the public and other professionals (both inter-organizational and interdisciplinary).
  • Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
Category Fisheries , Wildlife
Tags GIS