Adult Salmonid Trapping and Evaluation Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 - Perm - 2026-06957

State of Washington • Columbia County – Other, WA

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

As the Adult Salmonid Trapping and Evaluation Biologist, you’ll play an important role in monitoring and evaluating Snake River summer steelhead, with a primary focus on work at Lyons Ferry Hatchery and in the field throughout Southeast Washington. This is an opportunity to conduct biological monitoring, evaluation, and research and help develop and implement trapping, sampling, and spawning protocols. You’ll coordinate the collection, analysis, and sharing of summer steelhead data with co-managers and partners throughout the Snake River basin. This position is an important part of WDFW’s efforts to support healthy and sustainable summer steelhead populations in the Snake River basin. You’ll work collaboratively with public, tribal, and state partners to manage hatchery and naturally spawning steelhead as a single population while helping minimize potential impacts of hatchery production on population productivity. Your work will help support sustainable steelhead fishing opportunities, contribute to a healthy and diverse steelhead population, and advance WDFW’s mission and responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, or a closely related field. AND Three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
• Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Microsoft Office Products and R.
• Writing technical reports and giving presentations.
• Publishing peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Collecting, entering, proofing data, and generating graphs and tables for reports and presentations.
• Anadromous salmonids in the Snake River and the importance of these stocks in determining downstream/ocean fisheries.
• Applying statistical analysis to acquired data.
• Installing, operating, and maintaining IPTDS (PIT Tag arrays).
• Downloading data from RMIS (Coded-Wire Tag Data) and PTAGIS (PIT Tag Data) from the internet.
• Supportively working with outside agencies.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a lead adult salmonid trapping biologist for Lower Snake River Compensation Plan’s (LSRCP) Monitoring and Evaluation of Lyons Ferry Hatchery Complex: Maintain and proof trapping databases for summer steelhead, spring Chinook, and bull trout handled and processed at Lyons Ferry Hatchery, Tucannon Fish Hatchery Weir, Cottonwood Acclimation Pond, and Dayton Adult Trap.
• Prepare the LSRCP Summer Steelhead annual report and assist with the adult trapping components of the LSRCP Spring and Fall Chinook annual reports.
• Direct and lead crew members in collecting biological samples and measurements, including fin clips, otoliths, scale samples, coded-wire tag extractions, and other samples collected during steelhead spawning at Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
• Assist, as needed, with developing LSRCP Statements of Work and Budgets and implement work plans as specified in the LSRCP contract.
• Develop and write research and project proposals and solicit external funding.
• Serve as a WDFW technical representative to the LSRCP summer steelhead program and support other internal and external groups: Serve as a primary data contributor for Summer Steelhead spawned and sampled for broodstock at Lyons Ferry Hatchery.
• Collaborate with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) on basin-wide steelhead run reconstruction efforts for adult steelhead returns to Lower Granite Dam.
• Participate in weekly conference calls with co-managers and other agencies during the steelhead season to provide updates on PIT tag forecasts, trapping, and broodstock collection.
• Provide supervision and mentoring of technical staff: Recruit, hire, supervise, and mentor up to one permanent and one to three temporary technical-level staff to support an effective and motivated team.
• Set goals and objectives, develop strategies for implementation, and establish performance measurements and standards to ensure individual and program objectives are met.
• Monitor and inspect work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of assignments.
• Develop Performance Development Plans for assigned employees; create or update position descriptions; monitor and document employee performance; provide ongoing feedback; and conduct timely, meaningful employee performance evaluations.
• Develop and implement staff training and development plans, including cross-training, job-related training, and other opportunities that promote staff flexibility and professional development.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level