Wildlife Area Assistant Manager - Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2 - Permanent - 2026-08118

State of Washington•Grays Harbor County – Aberdeen, WA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position supports the maintenance and enhancement of wildlife habitats on the Olympic-Willapa Hills Wildlife Area. The role involves planning, performing, and assigning management activities and studies on wildlife, plants, and habitat. It includes assessing populations, surveying and monitoring native and invasive plant species, and assisting with the development and implementation of habitat management, restoration, agricultural, grazing, and recreation management actions. The position also involves facilitating the restoration and cultivation of native plant species, coordinating vegetation management, and assisting with the development and update of Wildlife Area Plans. Additionally, it requires conducting studies to evaluate management effectiveness, conducting investigations to identify knowledge gaps, and reviewing fish, wildlife, plant communities, habitats, and recreational use. The role includes assisting with various wildlife surveys and management objectives, surveying for emerging issues, and developing/implementing monitoring and survey protocols. Data collection, analysis, and interpretation are key, as is recording and reporting findings. The position also entails operating and maintaining Wildlife Area facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and capital assets, including vehicles, tractors, mowers, spray systems, ATVs, and chainsaws. Installation, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure such as water control structures, tide gates, roads, trails, fences, gates, signage, and parking areas are also responsibilities. Assisting with the management of facilities, including chemical and equipment storage areas, shops, offices, and bulk fuel supplies, is required. Furthermore, the role involves assisting with the development of capital improvement projects, permits, and approvals. Outreach and communication with neighbors, stakeholders, permit holders, and the public regarding Wildlife Area activities are essential. This includes communicating about management activities, recreation opportunities, and regulations, as well as report writing, purchasing, training, grant writing, and meeting coordination with external partners. Coordination with landowners, conservation districts, Tribes, agencies, NGOs, and permit holders to support habitat, grazing, restoration, and recreation objectives is also a part of the role, as is assisting with the development, administration, and monitoring of land use permits.

Requirements

Five (5) years of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.
A Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource science, or environmental science. And One (1) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.
A Master’s or Ph.D. in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource science, or environmental science.
Valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Vegetation, wildlife, and habitat survey methods and techniques.
Wildlife habitat enhancement and management methods.
Moist soil management principles.
Operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of heavy equipment and small engine tools.
Trade skills such as auto repair, carpentry, plumbing, and electrical.
Computer software (Office).
Ability to identify wildlife and plant species.
Ability to manage projects and workloads.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to follow safety procedures and identify hazards.

Responsibilities

Plans, performs, or assigns management activities and studies on wildlife, plants, and habitat on wildlife areas.
Determines sampling design necessary to collect accurate information and effective management; performs independent office and/or field investigations.
Assesses populations of target wildlife and habitat conditions for Wildlife Area management activities.
Surveys and monitors native and invasive plant species and habitats, research management options, and makes recommendations on best management practices.
Assist the Wildlife Area Manager, Lands Division staff, Regional staff, and external partners to develop, coordinate and implement habitat management, restoration, agricultural, grazing, and recreation management actions consistent with the Wildlife Area Management Plan goals and objectives.
Using predefined methodologies, facilitate the restoration and cultivation of native plant species through planting and maintenance on the Wildlife Area.
Maintain and keep an updated record of restoration though updated summary reports.
Coordinate and implement vegetation management using appropriate mechanical and chemical methods including the operation of land management equipment.
Assist with the development, implementation and update of Wildlife Area Plans and associated habitat, restoration and recreation plans.
Conduct studies, analysis, field reviews and monitoring to evaluate management effectiveness and inform habitat, wildlife and recreation adaptive management decisions.
Conduct background, historical and site investigations to identify knowledge gaps and inform management actions.
Review and assess fish, wildlife, plant communities, habitats and recreational use on Wildlife Area lands.
Work with district biologists on various wildlife surveys and management objectives.
Survey for emerging issues (user conflicts, habitat damage, facility, and infrastructure condition, etc.).
Assist with the development and implementation of standardized monitoring and survey protocols.
Determine sampling design and methodologies; collect, analyze, and interpret data to assess management effectiveness and guide adaptive management.
Record and report investigation findings.
Operate and Maintain Wildlife Area facilities, infrastructure, equipment and capital assets.
Operate, maintain and repair a variety of vehicles, equipment, tools and machinery common to land, vegetation and facility management such as trucks, tractors, trailers, mowers, spray systems, ATVs, and chainsaws.
Install, operate and maintain infrastructure including water control structures, tide gates, roads, trails, fences, gates, signage and parking areas.
Assist with the management of facilities including chemical and equipment storage areas, shops, offices, and bulk fuel supplies.
Assist with development of capital improvement projects, permits, and approvals for Wildlife Area infrastructure and restoration work.
Conduct outreach and communicate with neighbors, stakeholders, permit holders and the public regarding Wildlife Area activities.
Communicate with the public regarding Wildlife Area management activities, recreation opportunities and regulations.
Includes but is not limited to tasks such as communicating with the public, report writing, purchasing, training, grant writing, meeting and coordination with external partners.
Coordinate with landowners, conservation districts, Tribes, agencies, NGO’s and permit holders to support habitat, grazing, restoration, and recreation objectives.
Assist with the development, administration, and monitoring of land use permits.
Maintains associated records.