Assistant Ungulate Specialist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2 - Permanent - 2026-01137

Full Job Description

Title- Assistant Ungulate Specialist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program - Game Division - Ungulate Section
Duty Station- Ellensburg, Washington – Kittitas County

Hybrid/Telework- A flexible hybrid schedule may be considered at the discretion of the hiring manager, after six (6) months of employment. However, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

Please Note- This position is eligible for an additional 15% pay differential when the incumbent is performing flight duties or chemical immobilization as noted in the duties listed below.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Bighorn Sheep – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about advancing bighorn sheep management and contributing to meaningful wildlife research? This hands-on position is part of the Ungulate Section within the Wildlife Program’s Game Division.

The Assistant Ungulate Specialist works closely with field and program staff to support bighorn sheep management through monitoring, surveys, research, and community outreach, while also contributing to statewide ungulate efforts, including mountain goat and elk projects.

This role involves regular fieldwork and travel throughout the Cascades and Northeast Washington.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Ungulate Specialist will,

Field Work Implementation and Coordination:

• Assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of ungulate capture and monitoring methods.
• Conduct ground-based monitoring activities, including ungulate surveys using binoculars and spotting scopes; deployment of camera monitoring grids; habitat monitoring; mortality investigations (including field necropsies); biological sample collection; carcass recovery; and lethal removal of ungulates when necessary.
• Participate in aerial-based monitoring techniques, which may include helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft operations to conduct aerial population surveys; collect demographic and abundance data; and use aerial very high frequency (VHF) telemetry to determine ungulate locations and assess productivity status.
• Support ground-based capture techniques, which may include chemical immobilization using various delivery systems (e.g., dart projectors and jab poles), corral traps, drop-nets, drive-nets, net-gunning, and Clover trapping.
• Participate in aerial-based capture techniques as a member of an aerial capture team, fulfilling roles such as gunner, mugger, or processing crew member (wildlife capture/handling support roles).

Bighorn Sheep Community Outreach, Education, Management, and Disease Mitigation:

• Identify private domestic sheep and/or goat producers located within or near bighorn sheep herd areas.
• Prioritize producers based on relative risk potential and conduct field visits to provide information and educational materials on bighorn sheep pneumonia.
• Communicate effectively and respectfully with domestic sheep and/or goat producers to obtain permission for diagnostic screening of pneumonia-causing pathogens.
• Coordinate communication and logistics between producers and diagnostic testing teams.
• Identify and coordinate mitigation strategies to reduce pathogen transmission risk between domestic sheep or goats and bighorn sheep.
• Attend community events to provide information and distribute educational materials related to bighorn sheep pneumonia.
• Develop and deliver presentations on bighorn sheep pneumonia and management practices for both professional and general audiences.
• Assist in the development of WDFW “test and remove” disease management protocols.

Data Management, Data Analysis, and Report Generation:

Use ArcGIS, Program R, Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel and Access), and other relevant software to manage, manipulate, and analyze data to inform management activities and decisions.

This includes analyzing relationships between population size and density, home range size, dispersal, survival, disease infection and management actions.

Author or co-author agency reports or manuscripts.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Combination of office and fieldwork, with frequent travel to field sites and outdoor work in inclement weather and challenging terrain (e.g., deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, mud) while frequently carrying light loads, weighing approximately 40 pounds.
• Field surveys may require travel by airplane, helicopter, vehicle, or on foot and may involve exposure to hazardous wildlife; handling or use of pyrotechnics, firearms, and scheduled or classified drugs.
• Biological sampling involves handling potentially hazardous materials and using needles, cutting instruments, and other sharp tools, increasing the risk of injury or exposure to pathogens.
• Work may occur on private lands that are actively used for agriculture, presenting additional hazards such as uneven ground, operating agricultural equipment, potential exposure to hazardous substances.
• Proper training, use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to established safety guidelines are essential to mitigate these risks.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week. 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:

Some overnight travel is required.

Tools and Equipment:

4-wheel drive vehicles, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), Utility Task Vehicles (UTV), radio telemetry, electronics (e.g., Personal Locator Beacons, tablets), air projection dart rifle, and high-powered firearm.

Customer Interactions:

Frequent interactions with the public and landowners on potentially contentious wildlife and domestic animal management issues.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or closely related field.

AND

One (1) year of professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research.

AND

The ability to legally possess and use firearms in a safe and accurate manner (background check, drug screening and proficiency qualification required before firearm use).

Please Note:

• A master’s degree or Ph.D in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science may substitute for one (1) year of required experience.
• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Ability to pass a background check, drug screening, and training to receive authorization to use a firearm, including performing humane animal euthanasia as needed.

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.

• Certification to participate in aerial flight surveys within 12 months of employment.
• Certification to be issued schedule I through IV immobilization drugs.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Master’s degree in wildlife science or related subject.

Two (2) years or more of professional experience in the following:

• Bighorn sheep pneumonia.
• Wildlife disease ecology.
• Large-scale wildlife management or research projects.
• Conducting ungulate aerial surveys, capture and sampling, telemetry tracking, and necropsy.
• Managing and manipulating data.
• Technical writing.
• Using Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
• Conducting statistical analysis with Program R or similar software.

Include the items below with your application materials:

• 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.

Additional 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 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 #2026-01137.

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