Project Manager - Puget Sound Region (Construction Project Coordinator 3) - 3 POSITIONS
State of Washington
FreshPosted Feb 5
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Posted: February 6, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Puget Sound Recreational Fishery Manager - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - 2026-01135
State of Washington
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Location
Washington, 98504
Salary
$5,812 - $7,817
per month
Type
Full Time
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February 17, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This job involves managing recreational salmon fishing in Puget Sound by analyzing catch data, creating fishing rules and regulations, and working with tribes and other groups to balance fish harvesting with conservation needs.
A good fit would be someone with strong biology knowledge and experience in fisheries who enjoys teamwork, public engagement, and making decisions that protect natural resources while supporting anglers.
The role requires leading projects under tight deadlines in a government setting focused on sustainable fishing practices.
Key Requirements
- Advanced experience in fisheries management and biology
- Ability to analyze catch data for accuracy and feasibility
- Skills in developing and implementing fishing regulations, including emergency rules
- Leadership in multi-stakeholder negotiations, such as with tribes and agencies
- Proficiency in producing reports, pamphlets, and public communications
- Knowledge of conservation principles and agency policies
- Availability for in-person work in Olympia, WA, with possible telework
Full Job Description
Working Title- Puget Sound Recreational Fishery Manager
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Fish Program – Puget Sound Management
Duty Station- *Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
*While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption – Salmon anglers – Photo Credit: Chase Gunnell
Are you an experienced biologist specializing in fisheries managment?
In this dynamic role, you will review and interpret Catch Record Card (CRC) data and estimates for biological accuracy, feasibility, validity, and value.
With your experience, you will lead the development of recreational salmon fishery regulations, including producing emergency rules in-season.
We are seeking a candidate to represent the State of Washington and recreational community in fishery management forums.
WHAT TO EXPECT -
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:
In coordination with the Puget Sound Salmon Manager, and Policy Staff manage the Puget Sound Recreational salmon fishery to meet harvest objectives and conservation goals by appropriate regulatory rules (WACs).
Formulate pre-season and plan or modify in-season recreational fishery management recommendations designed to achieve harvest of all-citizen allocation share consistent with resource conservation needs, biological principles, and agency policies.
Produce emergency rules in-season, which are necessary to implement the intent of approved annual management plans.
Serve as an integral, lead team member for the State of Washington in the annual salmon management planning process called “North of Falcon” (NOF), including interpreting agency policy for development of goals and objectives for Puget Sound recreational fisheries, negotiating and consensus-building among multi-jurisdictional (17 Puget Sound Treaty Tribes) colleagues to achieve harvest management plans, conservation plans, and technical review of resource impact assessments.
- Produce analytically derived model inputs for use in the pre-season salmon fisheries planning model, the Fisheries Regulations Assessment Model (FRAM).
- Provide estimates of recreational fishery catch for Puget Sound and freshwater fisheries for use in run reconstruction, pre-season modeling, and fishery management plans.
- Work cooperatively with constituents in developing harvest plans, communicating annual fishing plans, and interpreting regulation models and expected fishery impacts.
- Lead the Puget Sound Recreational Fishing Advisors group to coordinate input from the public, through advisors, regarding priorities and recommendations for salmon fisheries management in Puget Sound, including intensive work with advisors during the NOF pre-season planning process.
- Lead internal and public meetings regarding Puget Sound Recreational fisheries.
Review, update, and maintain the Puget Sound marine and freshwater recreational salmon catch database to evaluate trends in the recreational fishery.
- Produce reports, tables, graphs and interprets CRC data in response to requests by other managers, co-managers, other agencies, user groups, and interested members of the public.
- Provide analyses of the data conclusions developed from the database for the justification of recreational salmon fisheries.
On-going Fishery Management, Outreach and Coordination.
- Promotes understanding of recreational fishing issues and rules through frequent interaction with the co-managers, media, fishing clubs, stakeholder groups, and other interested parties.
In coordination with Puget Sound Salmon Policy and Science Staff review and provide direction on proposed recreational salmon fishery monitoring projects to the Puget Sound Salmon Management Team.
Analyze and interpret data resulting from agency research, develop conclusions, and formulate and prescribe management strategies for the recreational fishery in Puget Sound and statewide.
These management strategies must be consistent with the stipulations and guidelines of the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the federal Endangered Species Act, Pacific Fishery Management Council management frameworks, and WA State Fish and Wildlife Commission policies and objectives.
Other occasional duties as assigned.
- Prepares evidence and arguments that may be presented in proceedings of the US or State Courts as required.
- Respond to the public, media, and industry verbal and written questions by drafting correspondence and answering telephone inquiries.
- Upon request, represents the State of Washington and recreational community in fishery management forums, including as an appointed member to the Pacific Salmon Commission’s (PSC) Selective Fishery Evaluation Committee (SFEC) to evaluate mark-selective fishery proposals pre-season as well as post-season and as a liaison to Canada at their recreational fishery development public process.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: Most work is conducted in an office setting. On rare occasions, field work may be required.
Physical demands may include repetitive hand and finger movements; prolonged sitting, standing, walking, squatting, kneeling, bending, and lifting (up to 50 lbs.); working in confined spaces; and climbing in and out of boats.
This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Duties may include operating boats with outboard motors, sampling salmon from a boat, and working with fish blood and slime.
Required safety equipment may include raingear, equipment holsters, and personal flotation devices.
Schedule: Full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, however the schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.
Travel requirements: Some annual travel is required (approximately 10-14 days annually) as a North of Falon (NOF) team member.
Customer Interactions: This position interacts with Statewide Salmon Manager; Modeling staff (i.e., FRAM) within the Fishery Planning, Modeling, Regulation and ESA response group; Salmon & steelhead stock assessment staff; Puget Sound and Ocean Sampling Unit staff and supervisors Puget Sound Salmon Management Unit staff and supervisor WDFW regional biologists; Tribal and Northwest Indian Fishery Commission (NWIFC) representatives, including NWIFC biometricians; Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada staff, Pacific Salmon Commission staff; Recreational fishing industry representatives.
WDFW biometricians; WDFW salmon policy lead managers (Director’s office); Federal fisheries representatives (e.g., from NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service); North of Falcon and Pacific Fishery Management Council representatives; Public constituents.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1:
A Bachelor’s degree with major study in a natural science.
And
Five (5) years professional experience in natural resource management.
And
Knowledge of pacific salmon biology, and statistical theory and techniques.
And
One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance
And
Valid driver’s license.
Option 2:
Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.
And
One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance
And
Valid driver’s license.
Option 3:
Master’s degree in a natural science.
And
Knowledge of pacific salmon biology, and statistical theory and techniques.
And
Three (3) years professional experience in natural resource management.
And
One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance.
And
Valid driver’s license.
Option 4:
Ph.D. degree in a natural science.
And
Knowledge of pacific salmon biology, and statistical theory and techniques.
And
One (1) year or more of leadership/supervisory duties including conflict resolution, training and development, planning and assigning work, evaluating performance.
And
Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- Basic knowledge of the Recreational salmon and marine fish enhancement program (RCW 77.105).
- Advanced knowledge of Puget Sound salmon stocks, associated salmonid life history, characteristics and habitat requirements for both freshwater and marine ecosystems.
- Knowledge of and established relationships with recreational fishing stakeholders (fishing clubs, conservation clubs, advisors, activists, etc.) in Puget Sound.
- Basic or working knowledge of salmon hatchery principles.
- Working knowledge of Fisheries Management techniques and Tribal Case Law in Washington State.
- Basic knowledge of Federal Fisheries Management Forums and Regulatory Standards.
- Working knowledge of coded wire tag analyses.
- Basic knowledge of the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30).
- Intermediate experience working with Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word, and working knowledge of R, SQL, Python, SAS, or other statistical and computing software and web applications, such as iForms is a plus.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively organize multiple assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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 (3) 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 Cheri.Potter@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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job number/title from the top of this posting.
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