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State of Washington

Assistant District Wildlife Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Bio 2 - Permanent - 2025-09134

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Description

Title- Assistant District Wildlife Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Region 3
Duty Station- Yakima, Washington – Yakima County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Salary listed does not include flight pay – flight pay is base pay plus 15% while performing low level flight operation duties

Photo Caption: Chelan Big Horn – Photo Credit: Ashton Edenstrom

Region 3, District 8 includes several of the largest Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Wildlife Areas in the state and is dominated by public lands that support high species diversity. District biologist work is primarily focused on game and ungulate management, including ongoing long-term efforts related to Bighorn Sheep disease and anticipated future work on Mountain Goat demographics. The district also manages five elk winter feed sites that were established to mitigate human–wildlife conflict and now present emerging disease risk concerns. Routine biennial, multi-day aerial surveys are conducted for all ungulate populations.

In addition to work with game species, the Assistant District Biologist’s primary responsibility includes conducting field surveys for diversity or non-game species such as bats, birds, and small mammals, many of which are designated as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The district also supports statewide wolf monitoring efforts that primarily use camera traps and winter track transects, and assists with waterfowl banding for Canada geese, mallards, and doves. This work is often directed by the Diversity Team Species Specialist and requires collaboration across the agency, strong field skills, adherence to established protocols, and consistent and reliable data reporting.

Work follows a routine annual cycle that includes fall hunting season game checks, winter population surveys and captures when needed, and spring and summer diversity surveys and waterfowl banding. This is a field-first, data-driven position. The strongest candidate will be highly motivated to conduct extensive fieldwork, attentive to standardized protocols for both data collection and data management, and comfortable using tools such as ArcGIS, SQLite, and R for data storage and reporting. The position requires an independent and self-directed individual who communicates clearly with the District Biologist, proactively seeks guidance when needed, and consistently reports on work progress.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant District Wildlife Biologist will,

Conduct assigned wildlife surveys. Surveys are conducted via rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, vehicle-base (road, snow, or water) and walking/hiking.
Collect samples needed to identify the presence of disease within wildlife populations.
Compiles and analyzes data and writes reports.
Participates in the development of recommendations for wildlife management and recreational opportunity.
Communicates with WDFW, other agencies, and the public on diverse wildlife issues.
Provides technical support cross programmatically, to other agencies, to NGOs, and to the public.
Participates in the development of recommendations for habitat enhancement.
Participates in technical workgroups.
Implements wildlife management activities.
Oversee field work of temporary staff in the work unit.

Working Conditions:

Work setting – including hazards: This position is performed approximately 80% in the field and 20% in an office setting. Fieldwork will include aerial (helicopter), boat-based, vehicle-based, and walking surveys. Field activities occur in a variety of outdoor environments and may involve inclement weather and difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and muddy conditions. The incumbent will perform aerial duties and must be able to work comfortably in this capacity. The incumbent may be required to walk, bend, stoop, and carry equipment or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Duties may include loading, transporting, and deploying field equipment. 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 is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, weather conditions, or response AIS emergencies.

Travel: In-state travel occurs several times per year for meetings, training, and field activities. Occasional out-of-state travel may be required.

Tools and Equipment: Duties may require the operation of state vehicles, off-road vehicles (including ATVs and snowmobiles), and small boats in field settings.

Customer interactions: The position requires regular interaction with members of the public to provide information, respond to questions, and address concerns. Duties may include participating in and presenting information at public meetings and responding to phone calls and emails from the public.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

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

Bachelor’s degree in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or forestry and one (1) year of professional experience in wildlife/ management or research.

Master’s degree in biology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or forestry.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: Successful completion of mandatory, agency provided, job-related training and/or certification - such as safety, equipment operation, fieldwork procedures, and/or emergency management - may be required as a condition of employment, depending on position responsibilities, supervisory direction, and training availability. Employees may also be required to participate in safety courses, committees, or groups, and complete recertification as needed to support the safety of the agency and its personnel.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Professional experience conducting aerial surveys of wildlife from helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft

Two (2) years or more of professional experience in/with:

Wildlife population relationships and ecology
Wildlife habitat relationships
Wildlife and vegetation survey methods
Wildlife and habitat management tools and field techniques
Data management practices
Statistics, data analysis, or biometrics
Geographic information systems and programming (ESRI ArcMap, R-coding language)
Hunted (game) and non-hunted (diversity) species
Animal and plant species identification
Federal, state, local, and agency private lands conservation programs
Agricultural and silvicultural practices
Local and state land use laws

Three (3) years or more of professional experience in/with:

Conducting field surveys and collecting data, conducting analysis, and making inferences from data.
Following prescribed protocols and procedures.
Capturing and handling wildlife safely
Communicating effectively with other agencies and the public.

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 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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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