Be at the forefront of conservation efforts, working to manage, protect, and restore ecosystems for the long-term benefit of both people and wildlife.
Provide critical technical support on Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Plans, to reviewing low complexity permits under the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process, every day presents an opportunity to make a difference.
Duties
Help administer the Hydraulic Project Approval process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-110-WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules):
- Review and issue low complexity Hydraulic Project Approval’s (HPA) in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code (WAC), agency policy, and procedures manual.
- Develop effective working relationships with emphasis on clear communication and a cooperative approach to resolving issues related to fish habitat conservation.
- Review permit applications and conduct field reviews to provide project assistance to applicants. Recommend alternative project designs and/or techniques, best management practices, and measures to avoid, reduce or eliminate impacts to fish life.
Assist with providing technical assistance to local governments implementing their fish and wildlife regulations under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and Shoreline Management Act (SMA):
- Provide assistance with writing comments to local government planning staff during the land use decision-making process as part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
- Foster open collaborative partnerships with City and County planners to incorporate best available science into decision-making.
- Provide review and comment to local jurisdictions on Habitat Management Plans for small and medium-scale projects in accordance with local Critical Areas Ordinances.
- Coordinate with the local jurisdiction to assist landowners to comply with local land use ordinances.
Assist Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3’s working on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Practices reviews:
- Provide assistance with DNR Concurrence Reviews for impacts to fish habitat and Water Type Modification Interdisciplinary teams, applying advice on fish habitat conditions.
Assist Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3’s with providing technical assistance for salmon recovery projects:
- Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Work Setting, including hazards:
- Work is performed in an office and outdoor environment.
- Fieldwork includes working in remote forested and aquatic environments to conduct fish surveys and other related tasks. These activities can consist of 8 – 10-hour days, for several days in a row.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
- Walking over rough terrain for short distances (less than 1 mile) regularly or occasionally over long distances (several miles).
- Operate a vehicle in off-road driving conditions.
- Office work may include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into the computer, looking at a computer monitor for long periods of time.
- Schedule:
- Typically, Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. These hours are flexible and may exceed the standard 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. workday to accommodate seasonal workload or additional duties as assigned by the regional program manager.
- May request and work a flexible work schedule, subject to supervisory approval.
- Willingness and ability to work extended hours, as necessary, to complete assignments.
- Travel Requirements:
- In the field 25-50% of the time doing project site visits or traveling to meetings throughout the state.
- May include extended travel and evening or overnight trips.
- Tools and Equipment:
- Boots, GPS, clinometer, waders, rain gear, state-assigned work vehicle.
- Customer Interactions:
- Interact with agency staff, other government agencies, tribal, private stakeholders, and general public. An interest in fish and wildlife resource management and working with others in a collaborative manner to reach consensus on fish and wildlife issues.
Qualifications
- A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
AND
- One (1) year of professional experience in natural resources working with diverse stakeholder groups to achieve conservation goals.
OR
- One (1) year of general experience working in one (1) or more of the following: Fish management or fish research. Wildlife management or wildlife research. Habitat management or habitat research.
OR
- One (1) year as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 1.
