Headwater Stream Habitat Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Project - 2026-07878

Title- Headwater Stream Habitat Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Project

Anticipated Project Length- 3 Years – November 2, 2026 – October 31, 2029
WDFW Program- Habitat Program – Science Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County

Please Note: Work duties during the field season (May – October) are performed throughout western Washington and require regular overnight travel. Additional information in "Working Conditions" below.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join WDFW and contribute to the conservation of Washington’s wildlife and ecosystems.

Imagine yourself navigating on logging roads through public and privately-owned timberlands to access rugged headwater streams during the field season. Acting as a field supervisor, you will conduct biological monitoring for research projects and coordinate study implementation.

The work you perform will support studies surrounding headwater stream habitats and stream-associated amphibians in managed timberlands for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ (WA DNR) Forest Practices Adaptive Management Program, in addition to other projects focused on monitoring stream habitats.

What to Expect:

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

Plan, coordinate, and implement data collection and data management in support of habitat and wildlife research projects:

• Track project progress and prioritize tasks to achieve project objectives.
• Deploy instream water temperature loggers.
• Collect stream and riparian habitat measurements (wetted and bankfull widths/depths, substrate, depth, canopy cover measurements, and mapping surface water extent).
• Conduct stream-associated amphibian surveys to assess occupancy and abundance.
• Review field forms and tabulate data.
• Collect spatial data and reference photographs.
• Support site selection and study implementation using GIS and coordinate study site access with landowners.

Data interpretation, quality assurance/control (QA/QC), and summarization:

• Ensure regular and complete download of data into databases.
• Assess data to ensure data quality and completeness.
• Develop summaries of data; Analyze and interpret data using established research procedures.
• Draft technical report sections for review by Principal Investigator.

Supervise non-permanent field staff during the field season (May – September):

• Plan and organize interviews.
• Identify, hire, and onboard staff.
• Identify safety trainings and ensure staff are up to date on all trainings.
• Provide supervision and direction, including identifying and assigning tasks.

Lead field staff in project implementation/field data collection:

• Lead staff in field data collection, ensuring data is collected in a manner that is consistent with study design and research methods.
• Ensure staff have the necessary equipment and supplies, and follow established guidelines, to be safe, efficient, and effective.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor regarding staff locations and project status.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is a combination of field and office work. Up to 90% of the time will be spent in the field or preparing to go in the field during the field season (May – October). During other periods, work will primarily be office-based.

While in the field, hike and use a GPS to navigate off-trail through dense vegetation and managed forest landscapes, up and down steep slopes, and along/within steep, shallow streams. Frequently carry a moderately heavy pack (weighing under 40 pounds) containing sampling equipment, personal supplies, and sometimes a field laptop. Infrequently carry by hand a 5-gallon bucket, dip nets, and rebar.

Bend, duck, balance, and navigate through, under, and over dense vegetation and woody debris. Wood and streams may be slippery. Operate trucks and drive on logging roads on private forestlands throughout western Washington. May use CB radios to communicate with oncoming traffic. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Thursday, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: During the field season, extensive travel within western Washington and regular overnight travel is required. Overnight travel will typically require camping near vehicles at established campgrounds and at primitive dispersed sites.

Tools and Equipment: Vehicles (4WD trucks and SUVs) that are to be driven on paved and dirt roads, field safety and communication equipment (such as high-visibility clothing and Garmin inReach), and data collection equipment (such as iPad, monitors and sensors, and a laptop).

Customer Interactions: Interact with landowners and members of the public en route to study sites and to facilitate landowner access agreements.

Qualifications:

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

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must meet one of the following options. All requirements within an option may be gained concurrently.

Option 1:

• A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a related field.
• One (1) year of professional experience in/with:
  • Biological field research relating to fish, wildlife, and/or stream ecology.
  • Collecting field data using a mobile device or downloading field data from instruments.
  • Data quality assessment and quality control (QA/QC).
  • Data summarization, including familiarity with using R.
• Six (6) months of professional experience in/with:
  • Leadership/supervisory duties, including the coordination of scientific field staff.
  • Pacific Northwest amphibian research.
  • Sampling forested headwater stream habitats.

Option 2:

• Two (2) years of experience as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1.
• Six (6) months of professional experience in/with:
  • Pacific Northwest amphibian research.
  • Sampling forested headwater stream habitats.
  • Leadership/supervisory duties, including the coordination of scientific field staff.
  • Collecting field data using a mobile device or downloading field data from instruments.
  • Data quality assessment and quality control (QA/QC).
  • Data summarization, including familiarity with using R.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Master’s degree or higher in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a related field.

Two (2) years of professional experience in/with:

• Stream-associated amphibians or headwater streams.
• Stream ecology, water quality, or physical monitoring.
• Navigating on logging roads and off-trail in managed timberlands.
• Creating maps in GIS.
• Statistical analysis software.

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 danielle.gustafson@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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-07878.

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