WA State DNR: Watershed and Stewardship Biologist

Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for a Watershed and Stewardship Biologist to help build and implement a new program to support salmon habitat restoration on private forest lands in the Snohomish Watershed. As senior level professional within the Forest Resilience Division Service Forestry team, this position will help to advance salmon recovery and watershed health by providing technical assistance and guidance to forest landowners, with a focus on providing scientific expertise and management advice to issues related to wildlife and fish populations. This position will advance implementation of key outcomes of the DNR Snohomish Watershed Resilience Action Plan (WRAP) and support the goals of our Service Forestry Program. This is a unique opportunity to work across agency programs to achieve landscape scale restoration and stewardship goals. The WRAP is a “trees to seas” plan for landscape scale restoration and salmon recovery in the Snohomish Watershed (WRIA 7) over a ten-year period. This position is the program’s independent fish and wildlife specialist supporting DNR’s efforts to help restore and enhance salmon habitat and build climate resilience in priority western Washington watersheds.

• Lead implementation of the WRAP Private Forestland Fish Passage Barrier Inventory in WRIA 7 (Snohomish Watershed) including project planning, budgeting, parcel prioritization, contracting field crew, and landowner outreach. As barriers are identified, help to build a prioritized list and seek funding for barrier removal to restore habitat access for salmonids.
• Oversee field surveys, including ensuring crew is properly trained in WDFW fish passage barrier survey methods, scheduling, managing data and preparing reports.
• Work with DNR’s Service Forestry program and Small Forest Landowner Office to plan and implement outreach program to engage landowners in priority subbasins.
• With support from the Snohomish Watershed Steward, build and maintain partnerships with restoration organizations in the watershed and statewide working on fish passage barrier assessment/restoration and other fish and wildlife conservation efforts to help determine how DNR can help advance broader recovery goals for salmon and watershed health.
• Engage in strategic planning with other DNR staff to identify opportunities to adaptively manage and grow the program beyond the Snohomish Watershed.

Service Forestry Fish and Wildlife Stewardship.

• Respond to and provide scientific expertise and advice to forest landowners on: fish and wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement needs; forest management regarding wildlife; forest wildlife damage problems (diagnosis, assessment, and recommended control measures); forest road assessments for determining potential impact on water quality and fish habitat; and other wildlife issues and opportunities.
• Educate and assist landowners in developing the fish and wildlife portions of Forest Stewardship Plans of Forest Management Plans.
• Deliver information and stories about work to the public and DNR staff in coordination with supervisors, outreach specialists, and Communications staff.
• Provide fish and wildlife management consultation and advice to other natural resource professionals service forest landowners.
• Develop educational materials for, and make educational presentations to, family forest landowners, natural resources professionals who advise them, loggers, and other audiences regarding forest fish and wildlife habitat management.
• Author, review, and edit articles and publications on fish and wildlife habitat management for Stewardship Notes, Small Forest Landowners Newsletter, and other publications.

WRAP planning and implementation.

• Support the broader Watershed Resilience Program and the Snohomish Watershed Resilience Action Plan through regular meetings and coordination with the Snohomish Watershed Steward, Policy staff, and other members of the WRAP team.
• Serve as the fish and wildlife specialist on DNR’s broader Watershed Resilience Program team.
• Participate in strategic planning to advance programmatic goals, planning, and prioritization of WRAP actions related to fish and wildlife, reporting accomplishments, and engaging with local partners.
• Identify, scope, and write grant applications related to WRIA 7 fish passage barrier activities.

 

At DNR we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.

Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.

Our Core Values:

• Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.

• Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.

• Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.

• Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of those include:

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness

• Work/life balance

• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)

• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups

• Leadership that empowers and supports employees

• Professional development opportunities

• Educational and career development aid

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility

• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments

• A comprehensive benefit package that includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

 

• Apply online: at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above).
• Letter of interest: describing your specific qualifications to the position and position required, desired, and special requirements.
• Resume: that details your experience and qualifications.
• References: at least three professional references with current telephone numbers– you may attach a document, use the References text field in the online application, or include it with your resume.
• Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
• Complete all supplemental questions.
• Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive those communications. 
  
  
  Please contact Kelsey Ketcheson at Kelsey.ketcheson@dnr.wa.gov/(564) 669-0056 or e-mail us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov

 

The Department of Natural Resources 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, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.