Summary

This job involves working as a biologist to connect with private landowners in Washington state, helping them create plans to improve wildlife habitats and open their properties for public hunting and fishing.

You'll negotiate deals, manage access programs, and seek funding for conservation projects to benefit fish and wildlife.

It's a great fit for someone with strong biology knowledge who also excels at communication, problem-solving, and building relationships with people and partners.

Key Requirements

Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a related field
At least three years of professional experience in fish and wildlife biology or habitat management
Strong skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and communication with landowners and stakeholders
Ability to independently plan, coordinate, and implement habitat improvement projects on private lands
Experience assessing habitats, collecting and analyzing biological data, and resolving complex environmental issues
Knowledge of public access programs for hunting and fishing, including conflict management
Proficiency in critical thinking, outreach, and grant exploration for conservation efforts

Full Job Description

Title- Private Lands Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Private Lands Division
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Hybrid/Telework- The selected candidate may be able to telework/work remotely up to two (2) days per week at the discretion of the supervisor.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: South Slope of Mt St Helens – Photo Credit: Brendan O’Doherty

We are seeking an experienced biologist to represent our agency both in negotiations with land owners and while working with local groups and partner agencies.

In this role you will have the opportunity to facilitate public access on private properties for hunting and fishing opportunities.

You will also help to devise methods and processes to comprise habitat plans that will resolve complex issues that have large potential impact on habitats and species, and work with private landowners to explore grant opportunities to facilitate implementing planned habitat improvements on their properties.

Our ideal candidate will not only be a great biologist, but also have a high degree of diplomacy, tact, and an exceptional ability to listen, communicate, and resolve complex problems. They will utilize their critical thinking skills in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.

What to Expect-

Among the varied responsibilities held within this role, the Biologist will,

Manage WDFW Public Hunting Access Programs

Responsible for managing all the hunter access-related activities, including outreach and engagement for public and private (small and large) landowner needs, and assessments of potential user conflicts on private and public property within assigned geographic area enrolled in WDFW access programs.
Assess political and social impacts of management alternatives of state significance when evaluating and developing new Landowner Hunting Permit (LHP) programs.
Monitor public use and evaluate user needs and potential conflicts with natural resources and then implement programs for managing and enhancing public use.

Independently Develop and Implement Private Land Habitat Projects

Prepare, assess, and interpret fish and wildlife habitat resource information on private lands or public lands enrolled in the Private Lands Access programs.

Independently prioritize, plan, and coordinate all work in assigned geographic area requiring advanced knowledge and skills focusing on outreach and engagement with landowners and public and implementation of habitat improvement projects (e.g.

planting, seeding, pesticide application, etc.).

Plan, direct, and evaluate habitat plans that specify how to create, improve, or protect such habitat.

Inventory biological and physical characteristics on all lands while developing and implementing programs for managing and enhancing fish and wildlife habitats for both game and nongame species; assesses habitat needs for various management needs.

Act as project manager for habitat projects in assigned geographic area and lead projects from start to finish, which in many cases can be several years.

Administrative and supervisory duties

Serve as a WDFW representative at meetings for a wide variety of citizen organizations; design and develop presentations; provide information to the media when requested.
Plan, assign, and review the work of staff.
Adjust assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels and respond to fluctuating workloads.
Evaluate employee performance and prepare performance appraisals.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Duties include a combination of indoor and outdoor work.

Fieldwork includes travel to and from field sites and can vary depending on season, but requires working outdoors during inclement weather and maneuvering over rough terrain while carrying a load of up to 50 pounds.

Work may include risk of injury, including unstable footing and operating machinery. Outdoor work settings include private land that may be in active crop production.

Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days): Work schedule is 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday; although work schedules may vary, especially during critical periods, and may include evening and weekend work.

Travel Requirements: Travel required outside work area is less than 5%. Overnight travel may be required.

Tools and Equipment: Tools and equipment utilized for this position are 4 X4 vehicle, ATV/UTV, tractor, rotary mowers, seed drill, disk, harrow, rototiller, sprayers, gas powered augers, computer, GPS, and all electrical and hand tools to repair equipment.

Customer Interactions: Interaction with the public, government, and NGOs daily. Some customer interactions may be distraught, uncooperative, or hostile.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: A bachelor's degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource science, or environmental science and three (3) years of professional experience in wildlife management or research, habitat management or habitat research, natural resource science, or environmental science

Option 2: Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.

Option 3: Equivalent education/experience

In addition to the qualifying pathways above, the successful employee must demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management, methods and techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigations; applicable state, federal and local environmental & wildlife regulations, and policies; technical report writing methods which should include:

Fish and wildlife habitat management requirements.
Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
General agriculture, silviculture, and range management principles.
Demonstrated experience working with private landowners.
Experience with sportsman and private landowner needs regarding private land access and habitat improvement opportunities.

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 with:

Communicating orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders, as well as the public.
Using sound, independent judgment to make decisions on environmental problems associated with private lands and completing assigned tasks.
Habitat enhancement techniques
Plant and animal species identification.
Contract development and administration.
Grant writing
Carpentry

Understanding of:

Wildlife population relationship and ecology.
Principles of wildlife harvest management.
Principles of wildlife damage management.
Environmental rules and regulations.
WDFW habitat and access programs and hunting and fishing regulations.
Environmental rules and regulations.
Local and state laws governing land use.
Federal, state, local and agency private lands conservation programs.
Private landowner issues.
Pesticide laws and application.

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 and reference job #2026-01955

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Private Lands Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Bio 3 - Permanent - 2026-01955

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Job Description

Summary

Key Requirements

Full Job Description

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