Warmwater Fish Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 (In-Training) - Permanent - 2026-09192

Title- Warmwater Fish Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 *(In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Fish Program – Fish Management Division

Duty Station- Ephrata, Washington – Grant County

Hybrid/Telework- This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with at least 4 days per week onsite at the Ephrata, WA duty station and up to 1 day of telework. The selected candidate must be available to work onsite for in-person meetings and to meet business needs.

*In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 or 3 level, and we will train a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 up to the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 level.

Salary- Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:

Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2: $4,746.00 - $6,384.00 monthly

Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3: $5,642.00 - $7,592.00 monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Bass caught at sunset – Photo Credit: Jessica Copeland

Love fishing, fish biology, and making a difference for Washington’s fisheries?

As a Warmwater Fish Biologist with WDFW’s Region 2 team, you’ll help create better fishing opportunities across Washington while protecting sensitive fish populations. You’ll lead fisheries research and surveys, use biological data to guide management decisions, and develop projects that improve fish habitat and enhance warmwater fisheries. You’ll also build partnerships with local communities and fellow fisheries professionals, promote recreational fishing, and lead staff and projects that make a lasting impact.

If you’re ready to put your fisheries expertise to work and help shape the future of warmwater fishing in Washington, we’d love to hear from you!

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Warmwater Fish Biologist will,

Organize and conduct warmwater fishery surveys on Washington lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across multiple districts managed for warmwater and mixed species fisheries:

• Develop, organize, and conduct warmwater fishery surveys to collect various metrics, data, and biological samples on warmwater fish populations in Region 2. Implement standardized and non-standardized surveys using a variety of sampling gears including boat electrofishing, gill and fyke netting, and longlines. Design and implement statistically valid creel surveys to quantify angler effort, catch, and harvest. Collect environmental data to quantify and characterize warmwater fish habitat and determine habitat quality.
• Use GIS software to plan fisheries surveys and manage spatial data collected during surveys.
• Maintain fish survey and creel databases, oversee data entry, and ensure data quality.
• Select and perform appropriate statistical analysis and test on large and small data sets. Summarize large amounts of data to inform regional management goals and objectives. Write and direct completion of agency reports summarizing research finding.
• Coordinate with regional and headquarters fish management staff, other agency biologists, and other cooperators to identify fish management research, assessment needs, and appropriate management solutions.
• Develop survey and research proposals, protocols, work plans, and project schedules.

Develop fishery management projects and implement actions that create, enhance, and maintain warmwater angling opportunities in Region 2:

• Design and implement management actions, including broodstock collection, fish stocking, habitat enhancement and modification, access planning and improvement, and lake rehabilitation projects.
• Investigate aquatic plant management methods and pursue projects that enhance habitat for warmwater fish and fisheries. Perform herbicide treatment to manage aquatic vegetation.
• Build partnerships and conduct outreach with warmwater stakeholders and angling groups to promote warmwater fishing opportunities.

Apply biological knowledge and data to review, evaluate, and develop warmwater fish management plans:

• Interpret and apply agency and commission policies, Washington Administrative Code (WAC), and state and federal environmental laws to implement fishery management programs.
• Serve as the Region 2 warmwater program expert by providing technical assistance, making harvest management recommendations, and evaluating the impacts of proposed regulation changes on warmwater fish populations.
• Establish measurable objectives and use data to evaluate the success of management actions relative to established goals.
• Communicate technical information orally and in writing to senior technical and policy agency staff, the scientific community, project cooperators, and the public. Respond to information requests and deliver presentations to angling and civic groups regarding the purposes and on-going activities of respective projects.
• Advise regional staff on stocked warmwater species biology, to inform Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed salmonid recovery in watersheds modified by hydroelectric development.

Supervise team members and manage administrative and fiscal responsibilities:

• Supervise, train, and mentor subordinate staff and agency volunteers, as needed, to support an effective and inclusive and motivated team.
• Coordinate schedules and logistics, assigns work tasks, and review work for compliance with established standards.
• Oversee and track project activities to ensure progress, accuracy, and timely completion of work.
• Set goals and objectives, develop expectations, prioritize work, and evaluate and address employee performance.
• Identify job-related training and cross-training opportunities and support career development for subordinate staff.
• Assist with budget development and track warmwater spending to remain within budgets.
• Purchase and maintain assigned project vehicles, boats, equipment, and fishery sampling gear.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

This position involves a combination of office and fieldwork. This position is expected to travel regionally and statewide, to potentially isolated and rugged areas and difficult terrain such as deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud. Use off-road vehicles to reach survey/project sites, drive motorized and non-motorized boats on a variety of waters, frequently lift or move items weighing up to 75 pounds, work during daylight and nighttime hours, work during all seasons of the year, sometimes in inclement weather, use chemicals requiring Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), use sharp or potentially harmful equipment, and work in areas inhabited by potentially harmful fish and/or wildlife in order to accomplish work. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Biological sampling requires handling potentially hazardous materials, using needles, cutting instruments, and other sharp tools, increasing the risk of exposure to pathogens or injury.

Schedule:

Typically, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and 40 hour/week. However, during certain times of the year, this position is expected to work weekends, outside the standard workday, and more than 40 hours per week in order to accomplish work.

Travel Requirements:

Travel requirements vary year-to-year due to identified work tasks and their location within Washington. In general, travel mostly occurs within this position’s region of responsibility, but this position is expected to travel statewide up to 25% of the time to accomplish work.

Tools and Equipment:

Personal computers, tablets, smart phones, scanners, GPS unites, satellite location devices, depth sounders, inboard and outboard boats (electrofishing boats), ATVs, UTVs, forklifts, small gas powered engines and associated equipment, field equipment (e.g., water quality meters, tag detectors, nets, traps, tagging tools), laboratory equipment (e.g., microscopes, dissection tools, preserving chemicals), aquatic pesticides (rotenone) and detoxifying agents (potassium permanganate), and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Customer Interactions:

Interact with WDFW customers on a routine basis in the field as well as during public presentations, and through e-mail/telephone conversations regarding specific questions. Occasionally encounter hostile interactions requiring an ability to remain calm, professional, and diplomatic.

Qualifications:

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

Required Qualifications:

This recruitment may be used to fill the position at either the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 or Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 classification, based on the candidate’s qualifications.

Candidates hired at the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 classification will be required to complete an in-training plan, receiving mentorship and on-the-job experience to develop the skills necessary to advance to the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 classification.

Required Qualifications for the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2:

Option 1 – All of the following:

(Experience may be gained concurrently)

• A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.

Option 2:

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

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license

Required Qualifications for the Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 (Goal Class):

Option 1 – All of the following:

(Experience may be gained concurrently)

• Three (3) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.
• One (1) year of supervisory/lead experience to include delegating, training, planning, organizing, and working in teams in to accomplish project work.

Option 2 – All of the following:

(Experience may be gained concurrently)

• Associate’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• Five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.
• One (1) year of supervisory/lead experience to include delegating, training, planning, organizing, and working in teams in to accomplish project work.

Option 3 – All of the following:

(Experience may be gained concurrently)

• A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.
• One (1) year of supervisory/lead experience to include delegating, training, planning, organizing, and working in teams in to accomplish project work.

Option 4 – All of the following:

(Experience may be gained concurrently)

• A Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.
• One (1) year of supervisory/lead experience to include delegating, training, planning, organizing, and working in teams in to accomplish project work.

Option 5 – All of the following:

(Experience may be gained concurrently)

• A Ph.D. degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• One (1) year of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.
• One (1) year of supervisory/lead experience to include delegating, training, planning, organizing, and working in teams in to accomplish project work.

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:

• Preparing scientific technical writing.
• Collecting and recording data on resident fish populations.
• Applying report-writing and formatting standards and statistical methods.
• Developing, implementing, and completing fisheries research projects, including experimental design.
• Organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Translating collected data into meaningful biological information and management recommendations.
• Effective communication and interaction with agency management biologists, biologists from other agencies and tribes, agency technicians, and interested stakeholders.
• Using personal computers, Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point), and statistical analysis software.
• Applying knowledge of environmental regulations, aquatic habitats, aquatic system productivity, fish biology, population dynamics modeling, and harvest management principles.
• Working with warmwater fish species and understanding their populations, as well as sampling equipment and techniques.
• Operating and towing boats up to 24 feet, including deploying sampling gear during daytime and nighttime operations and in adverse weather conditions on rivers, reservoirs, and lakes.
• Understanding state and federal boating laws and communicating applicable laws, requirements, and vessel operation techniques in a classroom environment.
• Identifying regionally applicable species of resident fish, including juvenile life stages.
• Conducting study design, implementation, and reporting.
• Utilizing warmwater fisheries management and research techniques.
• Operating four-wheel-drive (4x4) vehicles.
• Using equipment and techniques commonly used to capture resident fish at all life stages.

Your application should include the following:

• An unofficial or official college transcript.
• 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:

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 #2026-09192.

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