Small Forest Landowner Regulation Assistance, Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3
Location: The duty station is flexible. This is a Statewide position; the duty station will depend upon the Region of residence for the successful candidate.
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and considered
Salary: $5,241.00 – $7,043.00 Monthly
Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 12/17/24. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.
Responsibilities:
The primary duties of the position are to provide guidance to Small Forest Landowner Office (SFLO) staff and small forest landowners related to the effects of forestland management activities on fish and wildlife, and fish and wildlife habitats. Using professional judgment, knowledge, and expertise, this position consults and provides technical assistance to help small forest landowners prepare to conduct forest practice activities on their forest land. This position will help them understand and apply the Forest Practices riparian rules and assist with the preparation of Forest Practices Applications (FPAs). This includes those with landowner alternate plans, long-term applications, alternate plan templates, and other forest practice-related issues.
Assist small forest landowners with water typing of their streams and wetland delineation and determining RMZ width associated with a Forest Practices Application.
- This position guides small forest landowners regarding stream typing and wetlands identification. Provides onsite expertise to SFLO staff and landowners when determining stream typing and wetland delineation.
- Assist in the determination of stream width and identification of bankfull width and the end of fish habitat.
- Determine the site class for the riparian management zone.
- Assist in the small forest landowner riparian management zone harvest options.
- Participate in discussions of small forest landowner Forest Practices Applications with other agency and non-agency personnel, including Regulation Assistance Foresters, Forest Practices Foresters, engineers, interested partners, and other biologists.
Conduct permitted electro-fishing, when appropriate to determine fish presence.
- Obtain electro-fishing Scientific Collection Permit from WDFW, NOAA/NMES, and USFWS.
- Obtain a federal permit for electrofishing in waters containing bull trout.
- Determine when/where electro-fishing is appropriate (including lamprey surveys).
Complete Water Type Modification Forms after on-site habitat assessments.
- Based on habitat assessments, determines if the recommendations for habitat change between fish waters (F and S Waters) and non-fish use waters (Np and NS Waters) are accurate;
- Conduct habitat assessments for unmapped waters.
Conduct stream surveys and fish barrier assessments.
- Use visual methods to survey streams such as walking the stream bank and visually observing fish, snorkeling, feeding, and hook and line sampling to show presence at a particular site along a stream segment.
- Perform level A or level B fish barrier assessments according to WDFW’s Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual.
Required Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science AND Three years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research;
OR An equivalent combination of education and/or experience. - Experience in fisheries biology/applied fisheries management and electrofishing techniques.
- Experience in wetland plant and soils identification and wetland delineation.
- Experience collecting data using a Global Positioning System (GPS) in a forest setting.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including teaching or public presentation experience.
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other agencies and organizations.
- Knowledge of and ability to use GIS technologies, including preparing, viewing, and printing maps.
- Current working knowledge of WA Forest Practices Rules and Forest Practices Board Manual guidance.
- Working knowledge of forest management activities, including timber sales, road construction practices, and harvesting system techniques.
- Ability to collaborate and work with external partners, and other governmental agencies.
- Able to work independently and effectively manage multiple tasks at different stages.
- Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.