Shrubsteppe Restoration Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 – Permanent – *06009-24

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
SHRUBSTEPPE RESTORATION SPECIALIST
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2 (BIO2)

Wildlife Program – Diversity Division
Spokane Valley, Washington – Spokane County

This recruitment has been reopened to expand the candidate pool. If you previously applied for this position, you do not need to reapply. Candidate review will be ongoing and the hiring manager reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time once a selection has been made. 

As part of the Wildlife Diversity Division, this position will contribute to the Washington Shrubsteppe Restoration and Resiliency Initiative (WSRRI). 

This role involves hands-on habitat restoration and management on public and private lands, overseeing WSRRI-funded projects, and collaborating with landowners and partners. Responsibilities include planning, supervising work crews, managing equipment, and conducting monitoring to ensure the success of habitat restoration efforts. 

If you have a passion for conservation and hands-on environmental work, apply now to make a positive impact on Washington’s wildlife and ecosystems.

Duties:

Here is what you will be doing, 

• Conduct all aspects of habitat restoration, including planting, seeding, herbicide application, manual and mechanical vegetation removal, soil preparation, mowing, irrigation, and seed collection, using a variety of equipment and methods.
• Maintain equipment in clean and working order.
• Coordinate and supervise field crews (e.g., Washington Conservation Corps, volunteers, work-study students) and instruct them in executing prescribed activities (e.g., planting, seeding, weed control, etc).
• Assist in habitat restoration project planning and proposal development, including recommending and documenting rationale and site-prescriptions supported by tables, maps, and graphs.
• Maintain clear and organized records of implemented actions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Work consists of 70% field work and 30% office work. Field work occurs on public and private lands.
  • Navigating through wetlands or upland shrub/steppe habitats while walking, carrying, and/or moving up to 40 pounds over uneven and difficult terrain.
  • Transporting and loading gear, including heavy agricultural implements on large trailers.
• Schedule:
  • Overtime Eligible; Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; at times work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments.
  • Available for non-scheduled work week and travel, may be required to work long irregular hours.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Daily or weekly travel to field sites that may be at long distances from each other. Some overnights associated with fieldwork expected.
  • Additional travel may be required for training or meetings.
  • Total travel overnight travel is up to 20%.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Trucks, pickups, ATVs, UTVs, trailers, tractors with a variety of implements, heavy equipment, sprayers, power tools, hand tools, GPS units.  Regular use of personal computer hardware and software (MS/Office/Outlook).
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interacts with agency staff and WSRRI partners on regular basis. Occasional interactions may occur with private landowners and the public.

Qualification

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND one (1) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.

OR

• Equivalent education/experience.

Please note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis. A master’s degree or above in the applicable science will substitute for one year of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Must obtain pesticide applicator’s license, ATV safety certification, and First Aid certification after being hired.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

• Class A Commercial Driver’s license.
• Knowledge and experience with farming and restoration practices.
• Knowledge of wildlife habitat relationships.
• Knowledge and experience in weed control.
• Working knowledge of weed management techniques.
• Proficient at plant identification.
• Working knowledge of heavy equipment and farm implements.
• Experience loading, hauling and maneuvering trailers.
• Working knowledge of welding, metal work, and basic carpentry.
• Knowledge of vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software programs including Word and Excel.
• Proficient at using GPS equipment to determine project area.
• Proficient at using GIS software to analyze spatial data and to develop custom maps.
• Washington State Pesticide Applicators License.
• First Aid.
• ATV certification.
• Ability to calculate application rates, mix herbicides and adjuvants to rate and equipment specifications.

Supplemental Information:

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume.
• Three professional references.

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

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.  

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.

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.

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