Ecological Assessment Lead – Natural Resource Scientist 4 – Permanent – *00338-25

Working Title: Ecological Assessment Lead
Classification– Natural Resource Scientist 4
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent 
WDFW Program– Wildlife Program – Lands Division 
Duty Station– *Ellensburg, Olympia, or Stanwood, Washington. 
Hybrid/Telework– At least one day per week in office required, up to 4 days per week telework at the discretion of the manager. 
*The successful candidate will be able to choose between the three available duty stations, at the discretion of the hiring manager. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

The Lands Division at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) works to sustain and enhance the ecological health of wildlife areas for the benefit of people, communities, and wildlife. Monitoring, assessing, and managing ecological integrity to restore and sustain vital functions across WDFW-managed lands is critical to land management. 

The Ecological Assessment Lead, a Natural Resource Scientist 4, oversees the development and implementation of WDFW’s ecological assessment , both internally and with the State-Tribal Recreation Impacts Initiative. Development of the approach includes evaluating tools to assess ecological integrity, project management, collaborating within WDFW and externally with Tribes and stakeholders, and integrating assessment tools into land management. By leading these efforts, the position will align scientific, adaptive management, and policy goals in shaping Lands Division’s actions to reduce habitat loss and impacts from recreational activities. The role provides crucial leadership for ecological health priorities on WDFW-managed lands. 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Ecological Assessment Lead will,

Support Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in collaboration with Tribes, Department of Natural Resources, and Parks in the State-Tribal Recreation Impacts Initiative:

• Support and coordinate Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife leadership in engagement, planning, and response to Tribal concerns about recreational impacts to the ecological integrity of lands owned and operated by the Department.
• Identify key indicator impacts and track causality of landscape change from these impacts. Incorporate this learning into the Ecological Integrity Assessment framework and data management systems.
• Identify, vet, and contribute technical and policy recommendations during development of the statewide plan to manage recreational impacts and improve ecological integrity, ensuring Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is well-positioned to address these impacts through policy, rule-making, and land management activities.

Develop and implement an Ecological Integrity Assessment framework to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands, across all Washington ecosystem types:

• Define the scope of assessing the ecological integrity of WDFW-managed lands, from both a long-term trend perspective, as well as its application in shaping management actions.
• Identify gaps and opportunities for adapting and implementing an ecological assessment framework for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
• Complete final ecological assessment framework for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with scope and budget necessary to implement the framework.

In collaboration with other state land agencies, serve as project manager in the development of the data management scope and direction:

• Coordinate with partners to assess the needs of a data management platform for state land agencies to incorporate data management, tracking, and reporting of ecological integrity, including recreational impacts.
• Work closely Science Team to develop and evaluate conceptual models for the data management system and work closely with stakeholders to incorporate needs.
• Develop a mock-up version of the data management system for review and input. Complete input and modify the draft mock-up version.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: This position will require work in an office environment as well as working in the field on uneven terrain. Field hazards include driving with occasional off-highway conditions; exposure to weather; tripping or falling hazards; wildlife interactions.

Schedule: Regular schedule is full time, 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Work hours will remain flexible to enhance functionality and productivity to ensure program goals are achieved. Weekend and Holiday work may be required.

Travel: Travel may be required throughout Washington to interact with region staff, stakeholders, agency partners, to conduct planning and implementation efforts of ecological integrity assessment, recreational impacts, necessary trainings, and meetings.

Customer interaction: Federal, state, local, and tribal partners, forest collaboratives, external stakeholders, and general members of the public.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:  

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

A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in a natural science (e.g., environmental science, biology, forestry, landscape ecology, geography), or closely related field. 

Plus

• Six (6) years’ professional experience in assessing ecological health, including research design, monitoring, and successful development of programs to operate and manage terrestrial or aquatic habitats, including ecological restoration.
• Two (2) years’ experience managing ecological processes, structure, and function of Pacific Northwest or similar ecosystems and successful management strategies to address improving ecological health.
• Two (2) years’ experience in successfully administering contracts, interagency agreements, grants, or other partnership agreements.
• One (1) years’ experience facilitating, or leading multi-stakeholder natural resource groups.

Note: Experience can be gained concurrently. A Master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of the required experience, provided it’s directly related to monitoring ecological health. A Ph.D. may substitute for up to three years of the required experience, provided it’s directly related to monitoring ecological health.

Licenses: Valid driver’s license 

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

• A Master’s degree with a major study in natural resources (e.g., natural resource planning, forestry, landscape ecology, geography), public policy and administration with an environmental emphasis, geography, or a closely related field
• Three (3) years of professional work experience in natural resources planning, landscape ecology, ecological restoration, forest management, wildlife management, public policy and administration, geography, or a closely related field relying on the required position knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviors.
• Understanding of tribal treaty rights and sensitivity to cultural resources issues.
• Applied research, design, and implementation of ecosystem monitoring and adaptive management systems.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills and the ability to develop or use systems for tracking implementation and accomplishments of several complex projects.
• Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcMap, Survey123, and Collector, and other mapping tools to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences.

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 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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov 

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