Wildlife Conflict Specialist – Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 – Permanent – *08877-24

Title– Wildlife Conflict Specialist
Classification– Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Wildlife Program – Region 5, Southwest WA
Duty Station– Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Salary listed does not include flight pay – flight pay is base pay plus 15% while performing low level flight operation duties. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Embrace this leadership role to resolve human-wildlife conflict issues by providing sustainable solutions.

Be a central figure in preventing future carnivore depredations by planning, negotiating, and implementing Livestock Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements.

This is an opportunity to lead efforts in Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements, depredation investigations, and assist in fostering recreational access opportunities.  

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will,

Using biologically based skills, works with private landowners to prevent and/or control ungulate (elk and deer), turkey, and waterfowl depredation on crops and property damage and coordinate with federal agencies for other wildlife species.

• Provides timely response and field investigations of crop depredation, primarily caused by ungulates.
• Using biologically based skills, conducts complex inspections and investigations to determine the nature and extent of damage to commercial crops.
• Identifies damage mitigation alternatives, and prioritizes efforts aimed at resolving wildlife damage.
• Interacts and coordinates with producers and crop assessors during the damage claim process.

Using biologically based skills, works with private landowners, department staff and/or Enforcement personnel to prevent, reduce and/or control wildlife damage and livestock depredations by carnivores (e.g., cougar, bear, wolf, bobcat, coyote, etc.) and addresses human safety concerns related to carnivores.

• Provides timely response and field investigations (such as necropsies) of livestock mortality/injury purportedly caused by carnivores.
• Coordinates with WDFW and/or Federal, State and Local enforcement staff involved in investigations of wildlife conflict.
• Using biologically based skills, conducts complex inspections and investigations (such as necropsies) to determine the cause of mortality for domestic livestock.
• Collects data, develops alternatives, and prioritizes efforts aimed at resolving wildlife damage.

Respond to reports of injured wildlife and/or dangerous wildlife and independently make decisions as to disposition.

• Assist, as needed, Enforcement Program regarding dangerous wildlife (cougar, bear, wolf).
• Physical capture of injured wildlife.
• Utilization of drugs, syringes, needles, and darts to administer drugs to injured wildlife.
• Utilization of immobilization equipment (e.g. dart gun).

Using biologically based skills, works with WDFW staff and private landowners to prevent and/or control bear damage on commercial timberlands.

• Using biologically based skills, conducts timely and complex inspections and investigations to determine and/or verifies the nature and extent of damage on commercial forest land caused by bears.
• Identifies damage mitigation alternatives, and prioritizes efforts aimed at resolving wildlife damage.
• Investigates, implements, and evaluates novel non-lethal measures aimed at reducing, minimizing, and/or controlling wildlife damage.
• Monitors and tracks timber company implementation of permitted removals.

Provides outreach and communication to other agencies, tribes, and public on wildlife damage control issues.

• Plans, facilitates, and/or represents the program/agency in public meetings, hearings, presentations, and workshops involving wildlife conflict management in local assigned area.
• Provides education and outreach information designed to reduce negative wildlife interactions. Includes development of presentations and presenting these and related materials to sporting groups, NGO’s, conservation districts, local jurisdiction professionals, and broader public.
• Support and retain collaborative efforts related to alleviating wildlife damage in assigned area with e.g. Tribes, NGO, sporting groups.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Field work includes surveys completed via airplane, helicopter, and vehicles.  Work with dangerous wildlife; pyrotechnics, firearms, and scheduled/classified drugs. Handling of biological material with potential for hazardous exposure.  Work will require dispatching of animals.   Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Work schedule is typically Monday – Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, but often includes long and irregular hours (evenings and weekends).

Travel requirements: Frequent single-day trips to work sites. Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of WA for up to 1 week at a time may occur to attend conferences, training, assist with fieldwork, etc. Occasional travel for out of local area meetings and/or conferences.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And

Three (3) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.

Please Note:

• A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Or 

Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2. 

License: Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.
• Ability to pass background checks, drug screening, and training to receive authorization to use a firearm.
• Aircraft safety training must be taken before first flight.
• First Aid training (Obtain within 6 months of hire date).
• Firearms training and certification (Obtain within 6 months of hire date).
• Livestock depredation training (Obtain within 6 months of hire date).
• Wildlife handling (Obtain within 6 months of hire date).
• Chemical immobilization training (Obtain within 6 months of hire date).
• Wildlife Capture (Obtain within 6 months of hire date).

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

One (1) year or more of experience in the following:

• Working with carnivores.
• Working with ungulate and carnivore conflict issues.
• Trapping/immobilizing wildlife.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management, methods, and techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigations.
• Wildlife-habitat relationships and habitat management requirements.
• General agriculture, silviculture, and range management principles.
• Plant and animal species identification including basic anatomy and physiology.
• Field investigations and necropsies on domestic livestock animals.
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Environmental rules and regulations.
• Local and state laws governing land use.
• Personal computer hardware and software (MS Office products, Geographic Information Systems, and Adobe).
• Principles of wildlife damage management.
• WDFW habitat and access programs.
• WDFW hunting and fishing regulations.
• Contract administration.
• Grant writing.

 Ability to:

• Use sound, independent judgement in making decision on environmental problems as associated to wildlife conflict and completing assigned tasks.
• Understand and interpret plans, maps, and equipment specifications.
• Develop effective objectives, timelines, and action plans.
• Communicate clearly in writing and orally with agency staff, other agencies, industry, and the public.
• Negotiate effectively, appropriately, and respectfully, representing the agency with the intentions of a good faith partner.
• Effectively and safely operate and perform basic maintenance on ATVs, 4-wheel drive vehicles, and standard highway vehicles.
• Effectively and safely operate additional equipment and tools including radios and other mobile communication devices, laptop computers, digital cameras, spotting scopes/binoculars, global positioning systems, radio telemetry, motion activated cameras, tools associated with fencing, traps, guns, snares, pyrotechnics, and radio telemetry.
• Perform complex field investigations and necropsies to identify the cause of a depredation on domestic animals and livestock as associated with wild carnivores.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) 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 Cheri.Weld@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 cheri.weld@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-08877.

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