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

MT. ST. HELENS WILDLIFE AREA ASSISTANT MANAGER
WDFW Region 5 Wildlife Program
Ridgefield, Washington

Help conserve and manage habitats and forests for native fish and wildlife species in Southwest Washington by assisting in leading a team and supporting the Wildlife Program’s mission!

As the Mt. St. Helens Area Assistant Manager, you will support the Shillapoo/Mt. St. Helens Complex Wildlife Area Manager with implementation of Wildlife Program goals, objectives and assignments on the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area and the associated satellite Units in Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania, Lewis, and Wahkiakum Counties.
 
You will demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management, methods and techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigations; applicable state, federal and local environmental & wildlife regulations, and policies; technical report writing methods.

You will conduct professional biological studies, and be responsible for monitoring, restoration, management of fish, wildlife, lands/habitat. Using predefined methodologies or predetermined criteria, you will interpret data in relation to laws, rules, and regulations to make decisions in response to emerging situations in the field, on public or private lands. You will use established procedures, collect, organize, and provide analysis and assessment of fish, wildlife, lands/habitat management data and actions.
With that in mind, 
 
This is an opportunity to gather and/or analyze data samples to study the effects of actions or mitigation strategies that may contribute to effective fish and wildlife conservation/management.
 
We are seeking a candidate who will support the WDFW mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats, while providing sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreational and commercial opportunities through habitat protection and enhancement activities.
 
If you thrive on building collaboration and teamwork you will be excited to serve as an Assistant Manager of the St. Helens Wildlife Area and assist with planning, developing priorities, and implementing the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area Management Plan, including implementation of all habitat, fish and wildlife, and recreational use management activities on the Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area.
 

Our Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area Assistant Manager,
Is responsible for monitoring, restoring, and/or managing habitat on Wildlife Areas. Tasks include:

• Leading, managing, and providing technical input for projects to update and develop.
• Stabilizing and revegetating disturbed sites
• Implementing Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) on Wildlife Areas.
• Implementing habitat management and maintenance activities
• Cultivating native vegetation and food plots using predefined methodologies.
• Conducting field reviews of restored sites and recommending future management activities.

Conducts studies, field reviews, and surveys on habitat, wildlife, and recreation on Wildlife Areas. Tasks include:
 

• Reviewing and/or studying fish, wildlife, plants, habitats, and recreational use on Wildlife Areas.
• Implementing Wildlife Area plan activities, including habitat and recreation management.
• Planning, coordinating, and monitoring ecosystem/habitat enhancement projects on Wildlife Area to benefit fish and wildlife.
• Participating in interagency projects that contribute to the restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitat.
• Surveying Wildlife Areas for priority wildlife species, invasive vegetation, native threatened and endangered plants, and general habitat conditions; and uses predefined methodologies to implement appropriate management.
• Facilitating and monitoring public use on Wildlife Areas.
• Conducts outreach and communicates with neighbors, stakeholders, land-use permit holders, and general public regarding Wildlife Area activities, permits, and plans. Tasks include:
   
• Contributing to the development, updating, and implementing of Wildlife Area Plans.
• Working with Federal, State and/or local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public to develop and implement ecosystem/habitat management and public access projects on Wildlife Area lands.
• Providing information to public, either written or via presentation, regarding wildlife species, habitat enhancement and management, and recreational opportunities.
• Providing consultation to neighboring landowners and agricultural businesses on grazing and agricultural land-use permits, and to other agency staff on fish, wildlife, habitat, and recreation on WDFW lands.
• Assisting with development and monitoring of forest plans, timber harvest permits, and other land-use permits. 

Acts as a principal assistant to Wildlife Area Manager. Tasks include:

• Serving as a secondary contact (primary is the Wildlife Area Manager) for emergencies, issues, and questions, and is the primary contact when Wildlife Area Manager is on leave.
• Assisting with developing grants and in developing Wildlife Area spending plans; and managing and monitoring budgets; identifying and developing capital improvement projects (e.g., fencing, water control structures, and facilities) on the Wildlife Area.
• Assisting with management planning, budget development, and reporting, 
• Preparing and submitting applications for permits and other approvals for Wildlife Area projects.

Maintains facilities, infrastructure, and equipment operation and maintenance and public trust responsibilities. Tasks include:
 

• Assisting in development of capital improvement projects.
• Monitoring public use on the Wildlife Area and managing a network of digital car counters, ensuring access and recreational uses of the Wildlife Areas are consistent with wildlife and habitat goals.
• Repairing and maintaining infrastructure.
• Operating and maintaining small and large equipment including heavy farm equipment, vehicles, ATVs, and other tools.

Serves as a designated Lead. Tasks include:

• Assisting in training, mentoring, evaluating, and directing the work of seasonal or permanent staff on Wildlife Area.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:    

• Work is performed in inclement weather, including extreme heat/snow, over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud (up to 80% of the time).
• Ability to walk, bend, and stoop.
• Load and transport equipment and gear weighing over 50 pounds (e.g., items such as fertilizer, seed, etc.) regularly over uneven terrain.
• Safely operate motor vehicles, trailers, farm machinery, shop equipment, and ATV’s in field situations.
• Travel up to 10% of time.
• Willingness to perform aerial surveys (or wildlife surveys) conducted from helicopters or small planes.

Schedule:   

• Overtime Eligible, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Available for non-scheduled work week and travel.
• At times work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments.

Travel Requirements: 

• 5% to 10% Occasional travel required for training/meetings. 
• Must have the ability to operate a vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license.

Tools and Equipment: 

• Pickup trucks, ATV, UTV, boat, trailer, tractors, sprayers, power, and hand tools.
• Personal computer hardware and software (MS/Office/Outlook), GPS and software, radio telemetry equipment and use (transmitters and attachment, receivers, antennas, tracking methods), clinometers, and digital cameras. 
• Work may require standard field tools, such as shovels, fence post drivers, etc. 
• Work may also require use of chain saws, other power tools, mowers, hand tools, electric equipment including weed-wackers, driving lawnmowers, augers, and drills.

Customer Interactions:

• Interacts with recreations in the field. 
• Routine response to the public via phone and email; communication must demonstrate ethics and integrity, effectiveness, results orientation, initiative, patience, and professionalism.

Other: 

• Reports and interacts with agencies and NGOs. 
• Regular interactions with WDFW personnel, other local, state, and federal government personnel, consultants, contractors, private non-profit agency representatives, tribal representatives, project applicants.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

       OR 

• Equivalent professional experience may substitute year for year for education requirement if that experience is in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research.

Note: A Master’s or Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) or two (2) years of the required experience. Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for education requirement.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Driver’s License.
• First Aid Training (Must be obtained within 6 months of hire).
• Pesticide license (Must be obtained within 1 year of hire).

    AND

Knowledge of:

• Fish and wildlife habitat relationships and management requirements.
• Habitat management activities.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Wildlife and habitat survey methods and techniques (e.g., conduct field surveys to collect data, identify wildlife and plants species).
• Wildlife population relationships and ecology.
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Weed/Noxious plant identification.
• Operating motorized and non-motorized equipment and tools,
• Training and supervising temporary and volunteer staff.
• Computer with Microsoft software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet creation, and other applications; use web-based tools, e-mail, and calendar clients). 

Ability to:

• Drive a 4-wheel drive pick-up truck.
• Operate ATV’s and farm equipment (such as flatbed truck, utility trailer, chipper, fire suppression equipment, wheeled tractors, implements used with a tractor, boat, boat trailer, jacks, bow saws, pruning saws, fence post drivers, wire stretchers, shovels, fence post drivers, chain saws, other power tools, mowers, hand tools, electric equipment including weed-wackers, driving lawnmowers, auger, drills, etc.). 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Experience:

• With biological data collection.
• In identifying Western Washington native plant species.
• In diagnosing and correcting basic issues with equipment performance, as well as facilities and building systems such as plumbing.
• Identifying nongame species; big and small game species; waterfowl, songbirds, birds of prey, and shorebirds, etc., in the field.
• Working with forest management, as well as habitat enhancement and restoration for big and small game and listed species.
• Performing basic carpentry.

Knowledge of:

• Implementation of Wildlife Area Plan activities.
• Agricultural practices and equipment.
• Weed/Noxious plant management using pesticides and integrated pest management.
• Management of plant communities.
• General state procedural policies and rules governing work activities. 

Ability to:

• Tow a trailer.
• Operate backpack and ATV mounted sprayer used in herbicide application.
• Operate saws and other equipment used in forest habitat management.
• Perform proper care and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized equipment.
• Coordinate and manage projects and workloads.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally.

Supplemental Information

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
 
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.govand 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 NOTES: 
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

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
 
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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect. (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.

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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line should 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
 
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 may call (360) 902-2276 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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