Hydropower Mitigation Specialist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - 2 Positions - Perm - 2026-08498

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

These positions support a coordinated and strategic approach for the negotiation of fish and wildlife protection, mitigation, and enhancements with sustainability and conservation in mind. You are excited to support the agency’s mission by protecting, restoring, and guiding management of habitat as it applies to the ecological integrity of critical habitat and ecological systems. The selected candidate must be available to work onsite for in-person meetings and to meet business needs. This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with at least 1 day per week onsite at the assigned duty station and up to 4 days of telework.

Requirements

Option 1: Nine (9) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research. And ALL of the following: Four (4) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
Experience in/with the following: Federal and state laws related to endangered species, hydropower operations and permitting; and stream/river hydraulics and habitats (including those supporting anadromous fish). Lake and stream management; principles and procedures of wildlife, fish and habitat management and biological research. Methods of biological fish, wildlife, or habitat data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.
Option 2: An Associate’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And ALL of the following: Seven (7) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
Option 3: Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.
Option 4: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And ALL of the following: Five (5) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
Option 5: A Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And ALL of the following: Four (4) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
Option 6: A Ph.D. in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And ALL of the following: Three (3) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, AND five (5) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
Experience negotiating for environmental outcomes.
Experience evaluating the impacts of dams on fishery resources.
Ability to identify and articulate problem statements associated with hydropower operations or the implementation of terms and conditions/mitigation.
Knowledge and understanding of recent scientific advances in evaluating direct and indirect impacts of dams on aquatic resources.
Demonstrated project management and coordination skills.
Demonstrated written and oral presentation skills.
Ability to develop and defend natural resource policy positions using both biological and legal frameworks.

Responsibilities

Serve as the project lead and actively participate in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower licensing processes.
Research and assess hydropower project impacts to fish, wildlife, and their habitat.
Serve as agency lead on assigned projects, evaluate techniques and mitigation needs to offer solutions to preserve, protect, perpetuate, or enhance the resource.
Draft, solicit, review, and submit written comments for assigned projects.
Identify priority resource goals and objectives for developing measures for the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of affected resources.
Timely submit WDFW comments to the FERC on licensing projects.
Provide WDFW comments to meet SEPA/NEPA/EIS timelines.
Participate in and represent WDFW in FERC, utility, and other workgroup meetings, committees, and forums.
Draft, solicit, review, and submit written comments with each project’s associated technical work groups.
Interpret and analyze technical documents and issues and review for adequacy.
Coordinate, track, and provide biological and technical expertise on projects impacting fish, wildlife, and habitat associated with the implementation of the terms and conditions of federal hydropower licenses.
Coordinate with and serve as the point-of-contact for working groups and WDFW staff and management to ensure appropriate fish, wildlife, and habitat protections and mitigation measures and to meet requirements of licenses and agreements.
Collaborate with tribes and environmental groups, utilities, and governmental agencies.
Provide analysis and expertise, as requested, on projects related to fish, wildlife, and habitat.