Wildlife Conflict Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Bio 3 – Permanent – *00884

Job title:

Wildlife Conflict Biologist – Fish & Wildlife Bio 3 – Permanent – *00884

Company

Washington State

Job description

DescriptionTitle- Wildlife Conflict BiologistClassification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3Job Status- Full-Time/PermanentWDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Landowner Services DivisionDuty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin CountyLearn more about being a member of !Photo Caption – Elk rut Photo Credit Don AshmoreJoin WDFW’s Wildlife Program as a professional biologist specializing in wildlife conflict resolution in Benton and Franklin Counties! This position investigates and resolves wildlife damage complaints, with a primary focus on crop damage caused by deer and elk.Responsibilities include developing and implementing damage prevention agreements with landowners, providing technical assistance on preventative and lethal control measures, and collaborating with stakeholders to prevent crop and livestock damage. Additionally, this role may support recreational access opportunities on private lands.What to Expect-Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Conflict Biologist,Works with private landowners to prevent and/or reduce crop and livestock damage due to wildlife:

• Provides timely response and field investigations of crop and livestock depredations.
• Identifies damage mitigation alternatives, and prioritizes efforts aimed at resolving wildlife damage.
• Interacts and coordinates with producers and crop assessors during the damage claim process.
• Negotiates contracts and/or agreements and identifies settlement options with landowners and/or producers.
• Develops and approves and/or denies Department-issued depredation permits and/or certifications that allow for the removal of wildlife causing damage or of nuisance wildlife.
• Conduct necropsies and biological sample collection during investigations.
• Using biological knowledge, prepares final damage prevention strategy and associated landowner/producer agreement for agency approval.
• Works with Hunt Coordinators, a variety of hunter types, landowners, and other agency staff to direct hunting pressure to help control damage. This includes coordinating with volunteer Master Hunters, damage pool hunters, landowners, and other agency staff to direct hunting effort to help control damage.
• Investigates, implements, and evaluates novel deterrent measures to reduce wildlife damage.
• Coordinates with the District Wildlife Biologist to recommend hunting seasons and permit levels to help control damage.

Respond to public inquires and conduct outreach

• Responds to information requests from the public by phone, email, or letter.
• Responds to reports of dead or injured wildlife including capture and/or dispatch of wildlife
• Meets with sporting groups, NGO’s Conservation Districts, etc. and give public presentations.

Maintain safety and proficiency with agency issued firearms.

• Responsible for assigned explosives and firearms, and chemical immobilizations equipment and drugs.

Working Conditions:Working conditions, including hazards: This position involves a combination of office and field hazards that require strict adherence to safety protocols. Fieldwork requires work in outdoor conditions, including inclement weather and difficult terrain such as deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud. Field surveys are conducted using various modes of transportation, including airplanes, helicopters, vehicles, and on foot. Outdoor work often includes exposure to hazardous wildlife, handling pyrotechnics, firearms, and scheduled or classified drugs. Biological sampling requires handling potentially hazardous materials, using needles, cutting instruments, and other sharp tools, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens or injury. Outdoor settings may include private land, which may be in active crop production, posing additional risks such as uneven ground, exposure to agricultural equipment, or contact with hazardous substances.Schedule: This role requires availability for non-typical work hours and travel. Work schedule is 8 am to 5 pm. Monday through Friday, but often includes long and irregular hours to include evenings and weekends as determined by business needs and emergent issues.Travel: Frequent travel to field sites. Occasional travel for out of local area meetings and/or conferences may be necessary as determined by business needs and emergent issues dictate.Tools and Equipment: Personal computer/technology, mobile communication devices, field glasses, pyrotechnics, firearms, paintball guns, other hazing devices, electric fencing, GPS, cameras, 4×4 trucks (small/large), trailers, ATV’s, snowmobiles, chemical immobilization drugs and delivery devices, hand tools and power tools (electric & gas).Customer interaction: Frequent contact with the general public, private landowners, hunters, Tribes, employees from within and out of agency to include Federal, State and Local municipalities.Qualifications:Required Qualifications:Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.Option 1: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and three (3) years of professional experience in wildlife management, wildlife damage control, or wildlife research.Option 2: A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2Note: A master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute one year of the required experience. A Ph.D. in the applicable science may be substituted for two years of the required experience.Required for both options above:Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and methods of wildlife management
• Methods and techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, research and field investigations
• Applicable state, federal and local environmental and wildlife regulations and policies
• Technical report writing methods
• Safe firearm use and maintenance

Thorough working understanding of:

• Wildlife population management and ecology
• Wildlife-habitat relationships and habitat management practices
• General agriculture, silviculture and range management principles
• Plant and animal species identification including basic anatomy and physiology
• Wildlife damage management tools and field techniques
• Field investigations and necropsies on domestic livestock and wildlife.
• Environmental rules and regulations
• Local and state laws governing wildlife and land use
• Personal computer hardware and software (MS Office products, Geographic Information Systems)

Licenses: Valid driver’s licenseSpecial Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.
• Ability to legally possess and use firearms in a safe and accurate manner (background check, drug screening and proficiency qualification required before firearm use)
• WDFW Firearms Certification within 6 months of hire

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

• At least one (1) year working with ungulate and/or carnivore conflict issues
• At least one (1) year trapping, handling, and immobilizing wildlife.

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 professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental information:In addition to and other , there are other 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: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 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

. * 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 EmployerAs 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 [email protected], 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 .Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out toFollow us on social media: | |dh

Expected salary

$5241 – 7043 per month

Location

Franklin County, WA – Pasco, WA

Job date

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 23:20:32 GMT

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