Warmwater Fish Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 (In-Training) - Permanent - 2026-09192

State of Washington•Grant County – Ephrata, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Warmwater Fish Biologist works with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Region 2 team to improve fishing opportunities while protecting sensitive fish populations. The role leads warmwater fisheries research and surveys, uses biological data to guide management decisions, develops habitat and fishery improvement projects, builds partnerships with communities and fisheries professionals, promotes recreational fishing, and leads staff and projects. The recruitment may hire at the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 or Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 classification; a Biologist 2 hire completes an in-training plan with mentorship and on-the-job experience to develop the skills needed for advancement to Biologist 3. The position is based in Ephrata, Washington, and has a hybrid schedule requiring at least four onsite days each week and up to one telework day. Work combines office and field assignments and includes regional and statewide travel, generally up to 25%. Field duties may take place in isolated or rugged terrain, around or in water, in all seasons and sometimes in inclement weather, at night, and outside the standard workday. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 40 hours per week, but seasonal work may require weekends, hours outside the standard workday, and more than 40 hours per week. The role routinely interacts with WDFW customers in the field, at public presentations, and by email or telephone. Some interactions may be hostile, requiring calm, professional, and diplomatic communication. The position is represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to its collective bargaining agreement with the State of Washington.

Requirements

A valid driver’s license.
For Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2, Option 1: a bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field, plus one year of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research. Experience may be gained concurrently.
For Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2, Option 2: a master’s degree or higher in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
For Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3, Option 1: three years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 and one year of supervisory or lead experience that includes delegating, training, planning, organizing, and teamwork to accomplish project work. Experience may be gained concurrently.
For Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3, Option 2: an associate’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field; five years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research; and one year of supervisory or lead experience involving delegation, training, planning, organizing, and teamwork. Experience may be gained concurrently.
For Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3, Option 3: a bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field; three years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research; and one year of supervisory or lead experience involving delegation, training, planning, organizing, and teamwork. Experience may be gained concurrently.
For Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3, Option 4: a master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field; two years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research; and one year of supervisory or lead experience involving delegation, training, planning, organizing, and teamwork. Experience may be gained concurrently.
For Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3, Option 5: a Ph.D. in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field; one year of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research; and one year of supervisory or lead experience involving delegation, training, planning, organizing, and teamwork. Experience may be gained concurrently.
Closely related qualifying experience may substitute for required education on a year-by-year basis.
Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 hires must complete an in-training plan to develop the skills necessary to advance to the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 classification.
Ability to perform fieldwork in rugged or difficult terrain and around or in water, work in all seasons and sometimes inclement weather or at night, and travel regionally and statewide.
Ability to frequently lift or move items weighing up to 75 pounds and to use chemicals with PPE and potentially hazardous equipment and materials.

Nice To Haves

Experience preparing scientific technical writing.
Experience collecting and recording data on resident fish populations.
Experience applying report-writing and formatting standards and statistical methods.
Experience developing, implementing, and completing fisheries research projects, including experimental design.
Experience organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data and translating it into biological information and management recommendations.
Effective communication and interaction with agency management biologists, biologists from other agencies and tribes, agency technicians, and stakeholders.
Experience using personal computers, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint), and statistical analysis software.
Knowledge of environmental regulations, aquatic habitats, aquatic system productivity, fish biology, population dynamics modeling, and harvest-management principles.
Experience with warmwater fish species and their populations, sampling equipment, and sampling techniques.
Experience operating and towing boats up to 24 feet, deploying sampling gear during day and night operations, and working in adverse weather on rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.
Knowledge of state and federal boating laws and ability to communicate applicable laws, requirements, and vessel operation techniques in a classroom setting.
Ability to identify regionally applicable resident fish species, including juvenile life stages.
Experience conducting study design, implementation, and reporting.
Experience using warmwater fisheries management and research techniques.
Experience operating four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Experience using equipment and techniques commonly used to capture resident fish at all life stages.

Responsibilities

Plan and conduct warmwater fishery surveys on lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across multiple districts, collecting population metrics, biological samples, and other data.
Implement standardized and non-standardized sampling using boat electrofishing, gill and fyke nets, longlines, and other sampling gear.
Design and implement statistically valid creel surveys to measure angler effort, catch, and harvest.
Collect environmental data to characterize warmwater fish habitat and assess habitat quality.
Use GIS software to plan surveys and manage spatial data; maintain fish survey and creel databases, oversee data entry, and ensure data quality.
Select and conduct appropriate statistical analyses, summarize data, and use findings to inform regional goals and management objectives.
Write and direct agency reports summarizing research findings.
Coordinate with regional and headquarters staff, other agency biologists, and cooperators to identify research and assessment needs and management solutions.
Develop survey and research proposals, protocols, work plans, and project schedules.
Design and implement management actions such as broodstock collection, fish stocking, habitat enhancement or modification, access planning and improvements, and lake rehabilitation.
Investigate aquatic plant management methods, pursue habitat enhancement projects, and perform herbicide treatments to manage aquatic vegetation.
Build partnerships and conduct outreach with warmwater stakeholders and angling groups to promote fishing opportunities.
Interpret and apply agency and commission policies, Washington Administrative Code, and state and federal environmental laws when implementing fishery management programs.
Serve as the Region 2 warmwater program expert, provide technical assistance, make harvest-management recommendations, and evaluate proposed regulation changes for their impacts on warmwater fish populations.
Establish measurable objectives and evaluate management actions against established goals.
Communicate technical information to agency technical and policy staff, the scientific community, project cooperators, and the public; respond to information requests and present to angling and civic groups.
Advise regional staff on stocked warmwater species biology to inform recovery of Endangered Species Act-listed salmonids in watersheds modified by hydroelectric development.
Supervise, train, and mentor subordinate staff and agency volunteers as needed; coordinate schedules and logistics, assign tasks, and review work for compliance with standards.
Oversee project activities for progress, accuracy, and timely completion; set objectives and expectations, prioritize work, and evaluate and address employee performance.
Identify training and cross-training opportunities and support subordinate staff career development.
Assist with budget development and track warmwater program spending.
Purchase and maintain assigned project vehicles, boats, equipment, and fishery sampling gear.