Spring Chinook Habitat Study Lead - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Permanent - 2026-07375

Title- Spring Chinook Habitat Study Lead

Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program
Duty Station- Twisp, Washington – Okanogan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

In this leadership role, you will oversee a research project focused on understanding the overwinter habitat use of ESA-listed juvenile spring Chinook by gathering critical data throughout the Methow River. 

Envision yourself in the field, collecting data by using rotary-screw traps, electrofishing surveys and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. 

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Spring Chinook Habitat Study Lead will, 

Serve as the project biologist for the Methow River juvenile spring chinook salmon overwinter study:

• Lead juvenile fish capture and marking activities utilizing the seasonal operation of two (2) rotary-screw traps and performing electrofishing surveys.
• Lead winter float surveys to track passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagged juvenile salmonids throughout the Methow River.

Supervision and mentoring of technical staff: 

• Supervise and mentor technical level staff to support an effective and motivated team.
• Set goals and objectives, develop performance measurements and standards for the purpose of ensuring individual and project performance objectives are met.

Communicate study results and project accomplishments:

• Complete quarterly and annual progress reports.
• Give presentations to constituent groups. 
• Submit ESA-related research permit and take reports.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Work is split between an indoor office environment and outdoor field environment. 
• Field work may occur during inclement weather conditions and involves daily lifting, carrying, or moving heavy items (over 90 lbs. including buckets of water and fish), walking over slippery or uneven terrain regularly during field work or possible encounters with biting insects and snakes. 
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. 
• Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer and sitting or standing for extended periods of time. 

Schedule: 

• 24/7 non-scheduled. Typically, Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week. 
• Some variations in the work schedule will occur during peak field season activities (summer and fall) when 7 days a week juvenile fish trapping and tracking operations are underway. 
• During peak workload, the employee may be required to work nights, weekends, and hours beyond 40 hours a week.

Travel Requirements: Travel is expected to attend meetings related to funding, training and professional development conferences.

Tools and Equipment: Rotary-screw traps, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tag detection equipment, backpack electro fishers, sein nets, minnow traps, electronic data capture equipment (laptops, tablets, dataloggers), motorboats, pontoon boats, hand tools, generators, and cable winch systems.

Customer Interactions: Some private landowner interactions are required to complete surveys, and to secure sites for rotary screw traps. General interaction with public is limited.

Qualifications:

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

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 management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research. 

Please Note: A master’s degree or higher in a related field will substitute for one (1) year 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:

• Knowledge of the habitat requirements and life-histories of Columbia River salmonids.
• Ability to organize large data sets, think conceptually, analyze data using appropriate statistical procedures, identify key relationships, and observe and interpret biological trends.
• Ability to communicate findings using clear scientific writing.

Experience:

• Installing, operating, maintaining, and removing rotary-screw traps.
• Marking juvenile salmonids with Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags.
• Using P4 software for data collection.
• Performing fish capture surveys using backpack electro fishers, seins, and minnow traps.
• Operating and maintaining instream PIT tag detection equipment (transceivers and antennas).
• Operating motorboats.
• Operating pontoon boats in swift water conditions.

Your application must 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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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: 2024-1234 – 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-XXX.

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