Habitat Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Permanent - 2026-04517

State of Washington•Walla Walla County - Walla Walla, WA

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Join the WDFW team and help manage, protect, and restore ecosystems for the long-term benefit of both people and wildlife. This is an opportunity to work across disciplines to solve problems and work collaboratively with our conservation and community partners. With your experience, you will review permit applications and conduct field reviews to provide project assistance to applicants.

Requirements

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 general experience working in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research. (Note: A Master’s degree in one of the areas listed above will substitute for the required experience.)
One (1) year as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 1.
Five (5) years of professional experience in natural resources working with diverse stakeholder groups to achieve conservation goals, or general experience working in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of ecological processes pertinent to the Northwest including natural history of Washington Salmonids.
Experience with regulatory processes in Washington.
Experience or awareness of the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA) preferred.
Demonstrated ability to build professional rapports and partnerships with the public, colleagues, tribes, and local, state, and federal agencies.

Responsibilities

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 provision low complexity permits under the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process in accordance with Hydraulic Code Rules.
The incumbent works cooperatively in prescribing appropriate resource protection requirements for the protection of fish life.
Review and issue low complexity HPA’s in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, 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.
Recommend alternative project designs and/or techniques, BMP’s, and measures to avoid, reduce or eliminate impacts to fish life.
Conduct construction site inspections during and after construction.
Assist Habitat Biologists 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.
Assist City and County planners and the public in using and interpreting Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) mapping.
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 Habitat Biologists working on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Practices reviews.
Assist regional Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3’s with the review of plans, permits and actions permitted by the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources, and other agencies involved in forest management activities.
Promote a strong sense of collaboration and teamwork.
Provide assistance with DNR Concurrence Reviews for impacts to fish habitat.
Provide assistance in Water Type Modification Interdisciplinary teams, applying advice on fish habitat conditions.
Assist Habitat Biologists with providing technical assistance for salmon recovery projects.
Assist regional Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3’s with habitat restoration groups on various habitat restoration proposals.
Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
Provide technical assistance to restoration groups, governmental agencies, tribes, and other WDFW programs.