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State of Washington

Headwater Stream Habitat Science Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Project - 2026-01595

Description

Working Title- Headwater Stream Habitat Science Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Project

Appointment Length- 3.6 years

Anticipated Project Length: April 20, 2026 – November 30, 2029

WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Science Division

Duty Station- *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

While this position may be eligible to telework some days, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed. Fieldwork, including overnight travel, is required during the field season (primarily May through October).

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Olympic Torrent Salamander – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about preserving and protecting fish, wildlife, and ecosystems within Washington?

This is an opportunity to conduct biological monitoring for research projects and coordinate study implementation.

We are seeking a candidate to primarily support implementation of a field study and assist report development that evaluates headwater stream habitats and stream-associated amphibians in managed timberlands for WADNR’s Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

This position requires extensive overnight travel within western Washington during the field season of May-October. Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:

Plans, coordinates and implements data collection and data management in support of habitat and wildlife research projects.

Track project progress and prioritize tasks to achieve project objectives.
Deploy instream water temperature loggers.
Collect transect measurements (wetted and bankfull widths/depths, substrate, depth, canopy cover measurements and mapping surface water extent).
Conduct stream-associated amphibian surveys to assess occupancy/abundance.
Collect spatial data and reference photographs.
Support site selection using GIS and coordinate study site access with landowners.
Utilization of a GPS to navigate (logging roads and off-trail) to study sites through dense vegetation and downed trees, which sometimes includes hiking up and down steep slopes or within very steep and/or slippery stream channels comprised of loose gravels, cobbles, boulders, bedrock, mud, and/or sand,.

QA/QCs, summarize and interpret data.

Ensure regular and complete download of data into databases.
Ensure data quality through checks of completeness and assessment of data.
Develop summaries of data for interpretation and analysis.
Analyze and interpret data using established research procedures.
Draft technical report sections for review by Principal Investigator.

Supervise field staff (up to 5) hired annually during the field season (June-September).

Plan and organize interviews.
Identify and hire staff.
Onboard staff.
Provide supervision and direction, identify priorities, hold staff accountable.
Identify safety trainings and ensure staff are up to date on all trainings.
Identify and assign tasks, including daily and weekly assignments, tracking of accomplishments, troubleshooting issues as they arise, and making independent judgment calls in the absence of the Principal Investigator.

Lead field staff in project implementation/field data collection.

Lead staff in field data collection.
Organize work schedules and communicate plan to staff.
Be available to solve technical and field work problems for field staff as they arise.
Train staff in field methodologies.
Ensure staff are collecting data in a manner that is consistent with study design and research methods.
Ensure staff follow established safety guidelines. Respond to safety and emergency situations if they occur.
Maintain access/landowner agreements, communicate with landowners about access and conditions.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: The working environment is a composite of field and office work. Up to 90% of the time will be spent in the field or preparing to go in the field during the focal field season, approximately May – October annually. While in the field, hiking off-trail through vegetation that may be extremely dense and up and down steep slopes will be required. Navigating along and within steep shallow streams is required. May require wearing a hardhat and high-visibility vest. Frequently carry a moderately heavy pack (<40 pounds) that includes sampling equipment (e.g., hand net, iPad, field notebook, instream temperature sensors, measuring tape) and personal supplies (first aid kit, water, lunch, snacks, rain gear), and at times a field laptop. Infrequently carry by hand 5-gallon buckets, dip nets, and rebar. 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, Monday-Thursday 7:00 am – 5:30 pm. 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, and/or weather conditions.

Travel requirements: Extensive travel within western Washington is required. Field work will require regular overnight travel during the field season. Overnight travel will typically require camping near vehicles at established campgrounds and at primitive dispersed sites.

Customer Interactions: Interactions with landowners or other users of public and/or private lands on route to study sites and to facilitate landowner access agreements. Maintain positive and productive working relationships with landowners on whose lands study sites are located and provide proof of access permits if requested.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

A Bachelor's degree 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.

And

One (1) year of professional experience in/with:

Leadership/supervisory duties including coordination of field staff.
Collecting field data using a mobile device or downloading field data from instruments.
Data quality assessment and control.

And

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

Biological field research, fish, wildlife, and/or stream ecology.
Microsoft software including Word, Excel, or Access.

And

License: Valid driver’s license.

Option 2:

Two (2) years of experience as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1.

And

One (1) year of professional experience in/with leadership/supervisory duties including coordination of field staff.

And

License: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

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

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

Stream-associated amphibians or headwater streams.
Stream ecology, water quality or physical monitoring.
Navigating on logging roads and off-trail in managed timberlands.
Creating maps in GIS.
Statistical analysis software.

Your application must 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 number/title from the top of this posting.

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