Shillapoo Wildlife Area Assistant Manager - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Permanent - *06314-24
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
SHILLAPOO WILDLIFE AREA ASSISTANT MANAGER
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2
Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County
This position may be eligible for telework. The default assigned work location for this position is in Ridgefield, Washington. Frequency of onsite work will vary based on business and operational needs.
Assist with the implementation of Wildlife Program goals, objectives and assignments on the Shillapoo Wildlife Area in Clark County.
Support the WDFW mission through habitat protection and enhancement activities.
Assist with planning, developing priorities, and implementing the Shillapoo Wildlife Area Management Plan, including implementation of all habitat, fish and wildlife, and recreational use management activities on the Wildlife Area.
In this dynamic role, you will conduct field reviews of restored sites and recommends future management activities.
With your experience, you will assist with development of grazing plans, agricultural permits, and other land-use permits.
You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, participating in interagency projects that contribute to the restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitat via Wildlife Area use plans, regulations, and actions.
Duties:
Here are some things you will do in this role:
Responsible for monitoring, restoring, and/or managing habitat on Wildlife Areas:
- Lead, manage, and provide technical input for projects to update and develop.
- Stabilizes and revegetates disturbed sites.
- Implements Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) on Wildlife Areas.
- Performs habitat maintenance activities.
Conducts studies, field reviews, and surveys on habitat, wildlife, and recreation on Wildlife Areas:
- Reviews and/or studies fish, wildlife, plants, habitats, and recreational use on Wildlife Areas. Implements Wildlife Area plan activities, including habitat and recreation management. Plans, coordinates, and monitors ecosystem/habitat enhancement projects on Wildlife Area to benefit fish and wildlife.
- Surveys Wildlife Areas for invasive vegetation, native T&E plants and wildlife, and general habitat conditions; and uses predefined methodologies to implement appropriate management.
- Surveys Wildlife Areas for priority wildlife species.
Conduct outreach and communicate with neighbors, stakeholders, land-use permit holders, and general public regarding Wildlife Area activities, permits, and plans:
- Contributes to the development, updating, and implementing Wildlife Area Plans;
- Works with other WDFW staff, 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. Provides information to public, either written or via presentation, regarding wildlife species, habitat enhancement and management, and recreational opportunities.
- Provides consultation to neighboring landowners and agricultural business on grazing and agricultural land-use permits, and to other agency staff on fish, wildlife, habitat, and recreation on WDFW lands.
Principal assistant to Wildlife Area Manager:
- This position is secondary contact (primary is the Wildlife Area Manager) for emergencies, issues, and questions, and is primary contact when Wildlife Area Manager is on leave.
- Assumes duties of Wildlife Area Manager in his/her absence.
- Assists with grants to maintain/improve Wildlife Area.
- Assist in developing Wildlife Area spending plans; and manages and monitors budgets. Identifies and develops capital improvement projects (e.g., fencing, water control structures, and facilities) on the Wildlife Area.
Maintain facilities, infrastructure, and equipment operation and maintenance and public trust responsibilities:
- Assists in development of capital improvement projects.
- Maintains existing capital facilities and project equipment on Wildlife Area.
- Analyzes and assures safety of facilities.
- Monitors public use on the Wildlife Area, and ensuring access and recreational uses of the Wildlife Areas are consistent with wildlife and habitat goals.
May supervise staff:
- Assists in recruiting and coordinating in hiring of staff. Trains, mentors, direct, and evaluate staff performance. Directs work of seasonal or permanent staff on Wildlife Area.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
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Work Setting, including hazards:
- Field work in inclement weather, including extreme heat or snow, over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud up to 60-70% of the time. Walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 50 pounds. Load and transport equipment and gear weighing over 50 pounds over uneven terrain. Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
- Work independently and as a team member.
- Operate motor vehicles, trailers, farm machinery, shop equipment, and ATV’s in field situations.
- Perform aerial surveys.
- Fieldwork also requires knowledge of the operation of a GPS, clinometer, and digital camera.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
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Schedule:
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
- Work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments.
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Travel Requirements:
- Occasional travel (5%- 10%) required for training or meetings.
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Tools and Equipment:
- Pickup trucks, ATVs, boat, trailer, tractors, agricultural implements, sprayers, power, and hand tools. Personal computer hardware and software (MS/Office/Outlook), truck, GPS and software, radio telemetry equipment and use (transmitters and attachment, receivers, antennas, and tracking methods. Work may require standard field tools, such as shovels, fence post drivers, etc. Work will also require use of chain saws, other power tools, ATVs, tractors, mowers, hand tools, electric equipment including weed-whackers, driving lawnmowers, auger, drills.
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Customer Interactions:
- 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 fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
And
- One (1) year of professional experience in fish/wildlife/habitat management or research.
Please note:
- Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
- A Master’s or Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for the required experience.
License:
- Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- First Aid Training (Can be obtained within six months after hire)
- Washington pesticide applicators license. (Must be obtained within two months after hire)
- May require a CDL (training provided).
Must have experience that demonstrates thorough working understanding of:
Job Knowledge:
- Implementation of Wildlife Area Plan activities.
- Fish and wildlife habitat relationships and management requirements.
- Habitat management activities.
- Wildlife and habitat survey methods and techniques.
- Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
- Wildlife population relationships and ecology.
- Weed/Noxious plant identification and management using pesticides and integrated pest management.
- Management of plant communities.
- Personal computer software and hardware (MS/Office).
- Accountability in managing budgets, staff time, and other state-owned resources.
- Safety procedures.
- Agricultural equipment operation and maintenance.
Ability to:
- Coordinate and organize activities.
- Manage projects and workloads.
- Organize and prioritize work for self and others.
- Communicate effectively in writing and orally.
- Train and supervise temporary and volunteer staff.
- Work independently and as a team member.
- Conduct field surveys to collect data.
- Identification of wildlife and plants species.
- Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
- Use Computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet creation, and other applications; use web-based tools, e-mail, and calendar clients.
- Effectively and safely operate motorized and non-motorized equipment and tools, as well as perform proper care and maintenance of this equipment.
- Perform basic carpentry.
- Safely and effectively operate farming equipment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- A strong working knowledge and experience working with management and manipulation of wetland plant communities (moist soil management).
- Previous experience identifying waterfowl, and shorebirds in the field.
- Background in the use of agricultural practices and equipment.
- Experience with biological data collection.
- Experience in identifying Western Washington native plant species.
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 Benefits:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.
Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.
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 Cheri.Weld@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 Cheri.Weld@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.