Grays Harbor District Biologist – Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4

Description: As the lead expert for fishery management, oversee stock assessment activities for anadromous salmonids, with a focus on salmon and steelhead. 

Collaborating with tribes, industry, and stakeholders, you will manage resources to balance conservation and utilization goals while promoting sustainable fisheries. 

Your expertise will also shape policy decisions and contribute to technical reports that guide the future of fisheries management in Washington.

Responsibilities: Conduct Program Oversight and Coordination: Program development and implementation of stock assessment studies designed to support in the development of escapement and catch estimates, stock run reconstruction, and forecasts of adult salmon and steelhead abundance. Lead a stock assessment team comprised of permanent and temporary Fish and Wildlife Biologists and scientific technicians. Oversee the development of appropriate harvest models used to establish non-treaty commercial and recreational fisheries. Provide analysis and develops appropriate decisions for in-season run size model updates and fisheries adjustments. Develop and maintain salmon and steelhead forecasting models and oversee data management and implementation of these models for use in development of forecasted abundances and fishery schedules.

Administer and supervise a team of salmon, steelhead, and trout biologists who lead stock assessment, adult abundance estimation, and fishery monitoring and research in District 17: Recruitment, hiring, budget and oversight to ensure objectives outlined in position descriptions are met. Gather data in rivers using a variety of methods including stream walking, snorkeling, and operation of both motorized and non-motorized watercraft to identify, count and/or collect fish, and/or deploy and inspect field gear.

Treaty and non-treaty fishing season setting including direct involvement in the North of Falcon Process:District Liaison with WDFW’s policy, tribal co-managers, federal agencies, and constituency to facilitate resolutions to technical and policy issues associated with the annual development of salmon fisheries. Provide technical expertise and policy guidance for fishery development during the North of Falcon/ PFMC process. Develops, writes, and implements final salmon fishery management plans. Develop, write, and implement permanent and emergency fisheries regulations. 

Formal communication of information and Ideas:Technical and Policy expert in tribal negotiations and agreements including forecasting, escapement estimates, and harvest management plans.Publish scientific findings in peer reviewed publications, books and/or internal reports/memos.  

Chehalis Basin Strategy: Representative for Fish Management as a member of the multi-agency/consultant work group that implements the Aquatic Species Restoration Plan (ASRP) for the Chehalis Basin.

Qualifications: Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research. 

Option 2: Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and four (4) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.

Option 3: Ph.D. in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science and three (3) years of professional experience in fish management or fish research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.

Option 4: Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3

Learn more and apply here.