Wildlife Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - 2026-05825

State of Washington•Jefferson County - Port Townsend, WA

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

This position implements and develops recommendations for wildlife management, conservation, and recreation opportunities within District 15, which includes portions of Eastern Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason counties. The role involves assessing wildlife populations and habitats, conducting inventories, and monitoring diverse wildlife populations. The successful candidate will serve as the district's technical expert on wildlife population status, trends, and distribution, and will develop and conduct wildlife surveys. Data analysis using statistical methods and software, report writing, and developing recommendations for wildlife management, hunting regulations, species recovery plans, and wildlife area plans are key aspects of this role. The position also involves developing and presenting grant proposals for land acquisition and habitat enhancement, implementing wildlife management activities, and conducting population augmentation, capture, and translocation of wildlife. This includes the use of immobilization drugs and firearms for euthanasia when necessary. Complex inspections and investigations, such as necropsies, will be conducted to gather biological samples or determine mortality causes. The role also includes harvest monitoring, communicating with the public, tribes, and other agencies, participating in tribal co-management activities, and presenting information to the public. The Wildlife Biologist will also assign and direct the work of the Assistant District Wildlife Biologist and assist the District 16 Wildlife Biologist with planning, training, evaluating, and mentoring staff, leading teams to ensure deadlines are met and ensuring staff have necessary equipment for safe and efficient field surveys.

Requirements

Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.
Option 2: A Master’s degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And Four (4) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.
Option 3: A Ph.D. in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science. And Three (3) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.
Option 4: Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.
Option 5: Nine (9) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to legally possess and use firearms in a safe and accurate manner (background check, drug screening and proficiency qualification required before firearm use).
Ability to pass background checks, drug screening, and training to receive authorization to use a firearm.
This position has been designated as one for which a Department-issued firearm is required and essential to the Department.
The incumbent must successfully pass a background check, drug screening, and required firearm authorization training, including performing animal euthanasia as needed.

Nice To Haves

Wildlife population relationships and ecology.
Wildlife habitat relationships.
Wildlife survey methods.
Applicable state, federal, and local environmental regulations and policies.
Principles of wildlife harvest management.
Personal computer hardware and software (MS Office).
Must have good oral and written communication skills – conveys clear, timely, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others.
Species identification.
Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
Contract development and administration.
Ability to follow prescribed protocols and procedures.
Conduct field surveys to collect data.
Conduct data analysis and make inferences from data.
Train and mentor staff.
Organize and prioritize work for self and others.
Develop effective objectives, timelines and action plans.
Communicate clearly and effectively with individuals and groups within and outside of the organization, both in writing and verbally.
Negotiate effectively.
Walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 50 pounds.
Load and transport equipment and gear.
Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
Follow oral and written directions.
Visually discriminate when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
Perform routine and repetitive work in an accurate, punctual, dependable, safe and efficient manner.
Work independently and as a team member.
Safely operate motor vehicles on and off road, in field situations.
Safely operate motorized and non-motorized vessels up to 24 feet.

Responsibilities

Serves as the district's technical expert regarding wildlife population status, trends and distribution.
Develops or co-develops wildlife surveys for District 15.
Conducts assigned wildlife surveys and monitoring as part of statewide efforts including, but not limited to, distance sampling surveys for invertebrates, acoustic surveys for upland birds, helicopter and fixed wing surveys for big game, waterfowl, shorebirds and other wildlife species.
Use of statistical methods and software to analyze data.
Compiles and analyzes data and writes reports.
Develops recommendations for wildlife management and recreation opportunities within the district.
Independently evaluates biological data and develops recommendations regarding hunting regulations for review by wildlife leadership.
Develop recommendations regarding species recovery plans and wildlife area plans.
Provides technical expertise during development of proposed WAC changes and wildlife management policies.
Develops and presents land acquisition, habitat enhancement and other grant proposals.
Implements activities directed toward wildlife management, conservation, and recreation within the district.
Conducts population augmentation, capture, and translocation of wildlife.
Use of chemical immobilization drugs and related equipment (e.g. dart guns) for capturing wildlife.
Euthanizing wildlife when necessary for humane, scientific, or other management purposes, at times requiring the use of firearms.
Using biologically based skills, conducts complex inspections and investigations (such as necropsies of dead animals in various states of decay) to gather biological samples or determine the cause of mortality.
Carries out harvest monitoring.
Communicates with the public, tribes and other agencies on diverse wildlife issues within the district.
Participates in tribal co-management activities and meetings.
Explains data and presents options, orally or in writing, to public groups to increase public knowledge of diverse wildlife issues within the district.
Assigns and directs the work of the Assistant District Wildlife Biologist while working in District 15.
Assists the District 16 Wildlife Biologist with planning work, training, evaluating and mentoring staff.
Leads team on carrying out assignments and ensures deadlines are met.
Ensure staff have the equipment and supplies they need to safely conduct field surveys efficiently and effectively.