Habitat Connectivity Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - 2026-07506

State of Washington • Thurston County – Olympia, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role serves as the expert-level Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) Habitat Connectivity Biologist, making lasting contributions to the department’s goals to conserve and protect a resilient network of native fish and wildlife habitat in Washington state. As the technical lead for habitat connectivity mapping and planning, you will apply your expertise in wildlife habitat connectivity science to identify priority areas for connectivity conservation and translate that science into practical tools, guidance, and land-use planning strategies. You will work across urban and rural landscapes to help protect and restore wildlife movement and build climate-resilient habitat networks.

Requirements

• Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, conservation biology, landscape ecology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science or management, environmental science, or related field AND Five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.
• Demonstrated success in fostering a collegial, collaborative, and productive work environment with colleagues who are not co-located.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strategic thinker who also demonstrates close attention to detail.
• Successful demonstration of strong critical thinking skills applied to solving complex natural resources problems.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs or ability to be flexible as needs of the position change.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to take interest in and understand others' perspectives, easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas, demonstrate appropriate assertiveness, and be committed to the service of the public, mission, and team.
• Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated relevant experience working in wildlife habitat connectivity conservation. Relevant experience may include field research, spatial modeling or analysis, remote sensing, and/or natural resources management within a university, local government, environmental or conservation organization, consulting firm, or state or federal natural resources agency.
• Proficiency with GIS and execute basic spatial analytical tasks in a GIS framework including knowledge of ArcGIS desktop and ArcGIS Online software.
• Expert knowledge of landscape ecology, conservation biology, conservation planning, or similar discipline.
• Expert knowledge of wildlife habitat connectivity science and modeling approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and explain spatial data characteristics and applications.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct spatial analysis and manage large databases.
• Ability to synthesize complex spatial information and develop analyses in written and visual form.
• Ability to perform complex geoprocessing and manipulate large datasets using scripts.
• Knowledge of scripting (such as Python or SQL) to automate spatial analysis tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to policy makers, planners, or other non-scientists.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and objectives of urban and natural resources planning.

Responsibilities

• Incorporate spatial data identifying priority habitat connectivity locations in Washington state into the Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) framework by translating new and existing habitat connectivity data into a format appropriate to PHS applications.
• Develop technical documentation of methods used to create spatial data and user guides for application of habitat connectivity data.
• Develop management recommendations for protecting wildlife habitat connectivity priorities within land use and transportation planning context.
• Identify appropriate existing spatial data to locate areas important to landscape connectivity and barriers to wildlife movement.
• Evaluate and make recommendations about existing spatial data relative to the best available science standard defined in Washington state code (WAC 365-195-915).
• Provide technical assistance on the applications of PHS habitat connectivity data to internal and external users in the context of local land use planning, transportation planning, growth management, and shoreline management.
• Represent the agency in a technical capacity in efforts to create new wildlife habitat connectivity data products and strategies.
• Participate in research activities including data collection, evaluation, and analysis, to identify priority locations for connectivity protection, restoration, and enhancement.
• Participate in working groups developing wildlife habitat connectivity data products, priorities, and implementation strategies.

Benefits

• While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.
• Flexible schedule options may be available after successful completion of the probationary/trial service period.
• In addition to pay and other special employee programs , there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for.

What This Job Offers

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