Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager - Permanent - *07958-23

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2

Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Assistant Manager
WDFW Wildlife Program
Okanogan, Washington

Are you a journey-level biologist interested in managing a wildlife area in Washington State?  As the Assistant Manager, you will monitor permits and leases, implement integrated pest management (IPM) and habitat enhancement projects, and monitor construction projects.

This position also independently prioritizes and conducts studies utilizing predefined methodologies and/or predetermined criteria for scientific studies, surveys, and/or scientific analyses.

As our Assistant Manager of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area, you will be responsible for resource management activities within the area.

Shrubsteppe landscape at Scotch Creek Wildlife Area Unit – Photo Credit: WDFW Staff

Our Assistant Manager,

Responsible for monitoring, enhancing, and/or managing habitat and wildlife on wildlife area.  Tasks include:

• Plans, performs, and/or assigns habitat maintenance and enhancement activities.
• Supports and provides technical input for projects.
• Implements Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) on wildlife areas, including compliance with applicable laws, label restrictions, and record keeping associated with chemical applications.
• Performs adaptive management on habitat enhancement activities.
• Operates heavy equipment such as tractors, mini-excavators, and farm implements.
• Recommends best practice to manage habitat.
• Operates watercraft to access remote sites for weed control
• Submits periodic progress reports outlining the current status, findings, plans, and recommendations.

Independently performs field investigations.  Tasks include:

• Complies with permit, lease, and agreement provisions.
• Surveys emerging issues (user conflicts, habitat damage, facility, and infrastructure condition, etc.).
• Boundary and/or interior fence condition.
• Follows-up on contractual/project deliverables.
• Postings and notifications regarding invasive species.
• Public safety.
• Natural disasters (post-fire, post-flood, etc.).
• Recreational use and impacts.
• Records and reports investigation findings.

Recreation Management.  Tasks include:

• Manages recreation opportunities and recommends improvements to supervisor.
• Supports the agency's recreation strategy.
  1. Interprets data on recreational use and potential impacts, if available.
  2. Performs field investigations on recreational use, independently, or with Access Managers.
• Makes recreation management recommendations based on field investigations.

Facilities, infrastructure, and equipment management.   Tasks include:

• Identifies deficiencies in facilities, infrastructure and equipment and recommends solutions.
• Assists manager in tracking inventoried items.
• Develops or assists in the development of capital improvement projects.
• Repairs and maintains and ensures the safety and proper working order of capital facilities and equipment.

Community involvement and outreach.  Tasks include:

• Responds to public inquiry.
• Liaison with managing partners, stakeholders, etc.
• Represents WDFW at events (e.g., sportsman’s show, school programs, wildlife-themed festivals, etc.).

Administration and supervision.  Tasks include:

• Assumes duties of the Manager in his/her absence.
• Writes or assists in the development of grants.
• Prepares routine reporting on wildlife area activities.
• Purchases materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Supervises and mentors technical and journey-level staff.
• Administers permits, leases, and other agreements.
• General admin. (Order payment forms, Highlights Reports, Total Time, mileage, etc.).

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Field 65%, office 35%.
  2. In wetlands or upland shrub steppe/forest habitats, operating tractors, heavy equipment, pickups, ATV’s, boats, towing trailers, herbicide application equipment.
  3. Transporting equipment weighing up to 50 pounds for up to 300 feet over uneven terrain. 
• Schedule:
  1. Typically, 6:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Thursday.
  2. Depending on workload and season, incumbent may be required to work weekends and outside of the 6:00 am - 4:30 pm schedule.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Daily travel to field sites.
  2. Occasional travel (up to 10%) required for training or meetings.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Vehicles (e.g., 4wd pickup, UTV/ATV), watercraft <20’ in length, heavy equipment (e.g., tractor, excavator, backhoe, trailers), implements (e.g., disc, sprayer, mower), and hand power tools (e.g., drill, grinder, saw, chainsaw).
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Interacts with the public while in the field. Routine public response via phone and email.
  2. Works with county and other state agency workers occasionally. Deals with private businesses, large and small, during the purchase of materials, may at times work with enforcement officers, district biologists and other agency personnel.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

OR

• A Bachelor's degree in one of the following:
  1. Fisheries.
  2. Wildlife management.
  3. Natural resource science.
  4. Environmental science. 

AND  

• One (1) year of professional experience in the following:
  1. Fish management or research.
  2. Wildlife management or research.
  3. Habitat management or research.

OR

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 will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

License:

Certifications:

• Pesticide applicators license – Required within the first 6 months of employment.
• First Aid and CPR certified – Required within the first 6 months of employment.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

Experience with:

• Monitoring vegetation, wildlife populations and recreational use.
• Working on management and enhancement of Dry Forest, shrub steppe, shrub steppe and riparian plant communities.
• Operating motor vehicles, ATVs, herbicide application equipment, farm, and construction equipment.
• 1-year professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management.
• Heavy equipment and farm equipment operation and maintenance.
• Computers and other communication technology.
• Agriculture and livestock production systems, including fence repair and construction.
• ESRI ArcMap (GIS mapping systems) and GPS to gather information and generate maps.
• Grant and technical writing.
• Sharp-tailed grouse, their habitat requirements, and life history.

Knowledge of:

• Methods and practices of land management; technical habitat processes; elements of habitat for wildlife and fish; wildlife habitat management techniques.
• Wildlife habitat relationships.

License/Certification:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• WSDA public operator’s license and experience in the use and application of herbicides.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group PM-310-1 Red Card certified.
• Pesticide applicators license – Required within the first 6 months of employment.
• First Aid and CPR certified – Required within the first 6 months of employment.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft dependent on supervisory direction, position need, and training availability.

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

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. For further information, please contact us at diana.humes@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.

For inquiries about this posting, you may contact the assigned Recruiter, Diana Humes at diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov.  Please reference (Enter NeoGov Requisition #) in the subject line. 

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Salary : $49,404 - $66,420