Habitat Connectivity Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - 2026-07506

Title- Habitat Connectivity Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Ecosystem Services Division – Priority Habitats and Species Section
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Hybrid/Telework- While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Harbor seal hanging out on the pier – Photo Credit: Todd Tallman

Be our expert-level Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) Habitat Connectivity Biologist! In this role, your work will make lasting contributions to the department’s goals to conserve and protect a resilient network of native fish and wildlife habitat in Washington state.

As the technical lead for habitat connectivity mapping and planning, you’ll apply your expertise in wildlife habitat connectivity science to identify priority areas for connectivity conservation and translate that science into practical tools, guidance, and land-use planning strategies. You’ll work across urban and rural landscapes to help protect and restore wildlife movement and build climate-resilient habitat networks.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Habitat Connectivity Biologist will,

Incorporate spatial data identifying priority habitat connectivity locations in Washington state into the Priority Habitat and Species (PHS) framework:

• Translate new and existing habitat connectivity data into a format appropriate to PHS applications.
• Develop technical documentation of methods used to create spatial data.
• Develop user guides for application of habitat connectivity data.
• Develop management recommendations for protecting wildlife habitat connectivity priorities within land use and transportation planning context.

Identify spatial data identifying priority habitat connectivity locations in Washington state:

• Identify appropriate existing spatial data to locate areas important to landscape connectivity and barriers to wildlife movement.
• Evaluate and make recommendations about existing spatial data relative to the best available science standard defined in Washington state code (WAC 365-195-915).

Provide technical assistance for the development and application of wildlife habitat connectivity data in the context of land use planning and land management:

• Provide technical assistance on the applications of PHS habitat connectivity data to internal and external users in the context of local land use planning, transportation planning, growth management, and shoreline management.

Represent the agency in a technical capacity in efforts to create new wildlife habitat connectivity data products and strategies:

• Participate in research activities including data collection, evaluation, and analysis, to identify priority locations for connectivity protection, restoration, and enhancement.
• Participate in working groups developing wildlife habitat connectivity data products, priorities, and implementation strategies.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Primarily an office setting, with partial remote work options available. A minimum of 20% of work time is expected to be in person.

Schedule:

Typically Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., or an equivalent schedule. Flexible schedule options may be available after successful completion of the probationary/trial service period.

Travel Requirements:

Approximately 5–10% travel is expected for meetings and field visits to review connectivity project proposals and implementation. May include required travel to locations throughout the state for which carpooling or public transit options are not available.

Tools and Equipment:

Standard desktop or laptop computer workstation and specialized software, such as ArGIS.

Customer Interactions:

Regularly interact with Division and Section-level management, staff from other WDFW programs, Regional Habitat Program staff, city and county planning staff and directors, consultants, other state agency staff, and natural resource and conservation non-governmental organization partners. And occasionally interact with local elected officials and tribal natural resources staff.

Qualifications:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1:

• Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.

Option 2: 

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in biology, conservation biology, landscape ecology, fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science or management, environmental science, or related field.

AND

• Five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research. 

In addition, the following competencies are also required: 

• Demonstrated success in fostering a collegial, collaborative, and productive work environment with colleagues who are not co-located.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strategic thinker who also demonstrates close attention to detail.
• Successful demonstration of strong critical thinking skills applied to solving complex natural resources problems.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs or ability to be flexible as needs of the position change. 
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to take interest in and understand others' perspectives, easily recognize when others have important information, perspectives, or ideas, demonstrate appropriate assertiveness, and be committed to the service of the public, mission, and team.

Please Note: 

• Master’s degree in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience. 
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Experience:

• Demonstrated relevant experience working in wildlife habitat connectivity conservation.
  • Relevant experience may include field research, spatial modeling or analysis, remote sensing, and/or natural resources management within a university, local government, environmental or conservation organization, consulting firm, or state or federal natural resources agency.
• Proficiency with GIS and execute basic spatial analytical tasks in a GIS framework including knowledge of ArcGIS desktop and ArcGIS Online software.

Competencies: 

• Expert knowledge of landscape ecology, conservation biology, conservation planning, or similar discipline.
• Expert knowledge of wildlife habitat connectivity science and modeling approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to understand and explain spatial data characteristics and applications.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct spatial analysis and manage large databases.
• Ability to synthesize complex spatial information and develop analyses in written and visual form.
• Ability to perform complex geoprocessing and manipulate large datasets using scripts.
• Knowledge of scripting (such as Python or SQL) to automate spatial analysis tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific concepts to policy makers, planners, or other non-scientists.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and objectives of urban and natural resources planning.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• 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.

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 Ashley.Lee@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: 2026-1234 – 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-07506.

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