Habitat Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 - Permanent - 2026-05396

State of Washington•Kitsap County - Port Orchard, WA

1d•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! As a senior level Biologist working under general direction, this position provides internal and external technical assistance in their assigned area to support organizational efforts for healthy, diverse, and sustainable fish and wildlife populations and their habitat. With your experience, you will review and comment on a variety of environmental documents.

Requirements

Option 1: Two years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.
Option 2: A Bachelor's Degree in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research. (Please note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. A Master’s Degree in applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of required experience. A Doctorate degree in applicable science will substitute two (2) years of required experience.)
Three (3) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
Valid driver’s license.
Two (2) years of professional experience in communication, conflict resolution, or facilitation of diverse perspectives, including teamwork in service-oriented settings; supplemented by training or demonstrated ability in emotional intelligence, leadership, and managing sensitive situations with diplomacy and tact.
Exceptional professional writing skills.
One (1) year of professional experience influencing key stakeholders and building functioning relationships that shape decision-making.
One (1) year of professional experience applying laws or policies, providing technical expertise to diverse stakeholders, or managing politically sensitive or high-conflict situations with objectivity, professionalism, and diplomacy.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of ecological processes pertinent to the Pacific Northwest.
General understanding of regulatory processes, including the Hydraulic Code, Growth Management Act (GMA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
Demonstrated organization and time management skills to optimize work efficiency.
Become an engaged team member where collaboration and consensus are everyday practices.
Capacity and willingness to engage in crucial conversations with agency staff and stakeholders to execute the duties of this position.
Provide leadership and ideas that continuously improve program processes and be adaptive to changes in the work environment.
Ability to accept and participate in supervisory direction, including seeking and accepting constructive feedback on performance and making improvements.
Exhibit self-initiative in developing or upgrading knowledge and skills pertaining to work and applying that new knowledge or skill in the work environment.

Responsibilities

Administer the Hydraulic Project Approval process in accordance with Chapter 77.55.RCW, 77.57.RCW, and Chapter 220-660-WAC (Hydraulic Code Rules).
Review permit applications and conduct field reviews to provide project technical assistance to applicants.
Recommend Best Management Practices; measures to avoid, reduce or eliminate impacts to fish life; and/or alternative project designs and/or techniques.
Coordinate participation and discussion of project proposals with other agency personnel, including biologists, scientists, and environmental engineers, in assessing project compliance with agency policies and impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
Issue, process, condition, or deny standard, expedited and emergency HPA’s in accordance with the Revised Code of Washington, Washington Administrative Code, agency policy, and procedures manual.
Conduct project compliance and monitoring field review during and after construction.
Assist WDFW Compliance Inspectors or Enforcement in identification and resolution of Hydraulic Code violations including serving as an expert witness in court cases involving non-compliance of HPA’s or appeals.
Provide review and comment on County/City Critical Areas Ordinances and Shoreline Master Program updates and implementation activities, as authorized under the Growth Management Act (GMA) and Shoreline Management Act (SMA).
Foster open collaborative partnerships with City and County planners to incorporate best available science into land use ordinances.
Provide written comments to local government planning staff during the land use decision-making process as part of the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), City/County Shoreline Management Plans, and Critical Area Ordinances.
Assist City and County planners and the public in using and interpreting Priority Habitats and Species (PHS) management recommendations and mapping.
Provide review and comment to local jurisdictions on Habitat Management Plans in accordance with local Critical Areas Ordinances.
Coordinate with the local jurisdiction to assist landowners to comply with local land use ordinances.
Serve as a habitat restoration and enhancement expert for priority habitat and ecosystem recovery projects within assigned coverage area.
Serve as habitat restoration and enhancement projects lead for assigned coverage area.
Assist in permitting, coordination of WDFW expertise, and ensuring consistency with WDFW strategic goals and objectives.
Provide technical assistance to the public, governmental agencies, tribes, and other WDFW programs.
Provide information on fish life histories and habitat requirements, terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem functions and values, and promote conservation of fish and wildlife resources to stakeholders.
Participate in salmon recovery Lead Entity process within assigned area.
Serve on technical committees, provide technical assistance, field review and rank SRFB funded projects.
Provide biological expertise to the Department of Natural Resources for Forest Practice activities.
Collaborate with state and federal forest management agencies when reviewing Forest Practice Applications (FPA’s) for impacts to fish and wildlife habitat.
Provide provisions for the protection of fish life using the Forest Practice Hydraulic Permit (FPHP) Concurrence Review process.
Participate in Water Type Modification Interdisciplinary teams, applying expert advice on fish habitat conditions.
Assist with the review and development of wildlife plans associated with forest practice applications.