Cowlitz Monitoring & Evaluation Unit Lead – Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 – Permanent – 2026-04270

Title- Cowlitz Monitoring & Evaluation Unit Lead
Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4
Job Status– Full-Time – Permanent
WDFW Program– Fish Program 
Duty Station– Toledo, Washington – Lewis County
Posting Timeline– This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until July 6, 2026. The first review of applications will take place on June 22, 2026. Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible, this recruitment may be closed at any time. 

The salary listed above does not include the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to contribute to the conservation and long-term health of salmonid populations in Washington State. 

In this role, you will apply your fisheries management and leadership expertise to guide fish monitoring, evaluation, and anadromous salmonid reintroduction efforts across the Cowlitz River basin. 

With a strong focus on project management, you will serve as the program lead responsible for directing and implementing agency monitoring activities while collaborating with internal and external partners.

What to Expect:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Cowlitz Monitoring & Evaluation Unit Lead will, 

Oversee and implement the WDFW Cowlitz River monitoring and evaluation projects:

• Lead, direct, supervise, and coordinate the activities as outlined in the FHMP Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (Cowlitz M&E), including the tasks below:
  • Adult spring and fall Chinook spawner surveys
  • Coho spawner surveys
  • Winter steelhead spawner surveys
  • Creel surveys
  • Hatchery brood biological sampling
  • Weir operations on select tributaries
  • Cowlitz Falls and Mayfield fish facility oversight
  • Cowlitz project management
• Provide oversight and auditing of Cowlitz downstream passage projects Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility (CFFF) and Cowlitz Falls North Shore Collector (CFNSC) and Mayfield) to ensure public and agency confidence that mitigation obligations are being met.
• Periodically observe operations including fish handling, to verify compliance with regional smolt handling guidelines.
• Collaborate with Science Unit staff to provide an independent annual estimate of production and collection efficiency estimates for the CFFF.
• Coordination with Tacoma Power staff and integrate monitoring efforts with other WDFW Region 5 programs.

Project management and implementation – contracts/deliverables:

• Annually develop scope of work, proposed budget and deliverables associated with task order contracts between Tacoma Power and WDFW.
• Direct, administer and track budgets.
• Complete and submit status reports as required by contract.
• Oversee communication within project staff and with Tacoma Power and review monthly contract invoices.
• Use statistical principles to estimate adult and juvenile population abundances, migration timing, size distributions, age structure, and other project outcomes from these studies.
• Summarize data requested for the Cowlitz Annual Program Review (APR) and participate in APR meetings with Tacoma Power and Public.

Supervise technical and professional staff:

• Supervise and mentor technical and professional level staff to support an effective, motivated team.
• Set goals and objectives, develop strategies to implement, and develop performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and program performance objectives are met.
• Manage personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, and performance issues, in a positive manner for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
• Identifies and coordinates staff training and development needs.

Participate as WDFW technical support for the following work groups, committees, and subcommittees as needed: 

• Cowlitz Fish Technical Committee (FTC): provides technical expertise and policy support to agency voting members on the FTC including preparing briefing documents on technical issues and policy recommendations in line with WDFWs goals for the basin.
• FTC Downstream Fish Passage Technical Work Group (TWG): participate in monthly meetings, work with WDFW Science Unit staff to provide technical expertise related to downstream fish passage issues and represents WDFWs policy objectives, develop materials and elevate technical or policy issues to supervisor and WDFWs voting member on the FTC.
• Cowlitz Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): participate in monthly meetings and work with supervisor and WDFW Science Unit staff to provide technical expertise related to implementing the Cowlitz M&E plan, including baseline and directed studies. Represent agency policy objectives, develop supporting materials and elevate technical or policy issues with supervisor and WDFWs voting members on the FTC.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Work is a mix of office and field based work depending on season and need, field-based environments include inclement weather conditions such as rain, cold, heat, and high-water events.
• Lift, carry, and load equipment weighing up to 70 pounds (e.g., pontoon rafts, seine nets, buckets, electrofishing equipment, and other field gear).
• Walk up to six (6) miles per day in and along streams, often over uneven terrain, and navigate steep, slippery stream banks.
• Operate pontoon rafts or boats in rivers with fast-flowing and whitewater conditions for distances up to 15 miles per day, as well as snorkeling in similar conditions for up to six (6) miles per day.
• This position involves working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments including swiftwater and cold-water conditions, remote locations, and areas with limited access to immediate assistance.
• Handle biological materials, including salmon and steelhead carcasses in various states of decomposition, which may involve exposure to strong odors and unsanitary conditions.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per work week.  Specific work hours will vary depending on the season and fieldwork requirements. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required. Work schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and weather conditions. Duties may also include nighttime work and extended hours during peak field seasons or in response to environmental conditions.

Travel Requirements: Periodic travel throughout Washington and to other states for meetings and special projects.  

Tools and Equipment: Vehicles, power boats, pontoon rafts, basic hand tools, knives, coded wire tag (CWT) wands, CB radios, computers, iPads, Toughpads, and Garmin InReach.

Customer Interactions: Interactions with the public generally occur through landowner contacts, presentations, Fish Technical Committee (FTC) meetings, and data requests

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Please Note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Option 1: A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or related field.
And 
Five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research or habitat management or habitat research. 

Option 2: A Masters degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or related field.
And
Four (4) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research or habitat management or habitat research.

Option 3: A Ph.D. in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or related field.
And
Three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research or habitat management or habitat research.

Option 4: Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3. 

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License. 

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Knowledge of: 

• Basic skills in the use of hand and power tools.
• Advanced use of Microsoft Excel and Access
• Salmonid life histories.
• Adult fish population estimation methods and assumptions.
• WinBUGS, R, R Studio, and other programing languages software.
• Cowlitz Basin Fisheries and Hatchery Management Plan (FHMP) and related documents.

Experience with: 

• Conducting spawning ground surveys via foot and/or pontoon raft for Pacific Salmon.
• Installing, maintaining, operating, and removing resistance board weirs.
• Handling and tagging adult salmonids including methods such as floy, carcass, opercle, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging.
• Project management including supervising and coordinating field staff.
• Adult and juvenile salmon identification.
• Permit applications and processes from various government entities needed to operate adult and juvenile fish traps and net pens.
• Species re-introduction projects
• Conducting quality analysis/control on large, complex datasets.
• Communicating technical and scientific information to decision makers, stakeholders, and the public.
• Participating in large multi-stakeholder technical and/or policy forums.

Your application must include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note: 

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link:  https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union – WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

 Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer.  We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity.  Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-04270.

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