Job Description

Salary: $4,653.00 - $6,259.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-00590
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 01/22/2026
Closing Date: 2/1/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Title- Assistant Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist

Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent

WDFW Program- WildlifeProgram Duty Station- Olympia, Washington - Thurston County

Please Note- This position is eligible for an additional 15% pay differential when the incumbent is performing low level flight duties or chemical immobilization as noted in the duties listed below.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW !
Photo Caption: Snowy Plover - Photo Credit: Roy W. Lowe
This journey-level biologist plays a key role in wildlife and habitat conservation across public and private lands.
Envision yourself conducting field surveys, analyzing biological data, and delivering recommendations that support wildlife management, conservation priorities, and recreational opportunities.
Through habitat management and public outreach, you will also contribute to regional solutions and help advance the agency's actionable conservation initiatives.

Photo Caption: Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly - Photo Credit: WDFW
What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Regional Wildlife Diversity Biologist will,
Conduct or oversee wildlife surveys, animal capture and handling, data collection, and habitat survey or improvement projects:

• Conduct surveys to determine abundance, distribution and population trends of wildlife species.
• Organize and conduct research and management projects to determine behavior, abundance, distribution, survival, mortality, and other ecological aspects of wildlife.
• Implement field projects designed to improve or create fish and wildlife habitats.
• Organize and conduct activities associated with habitat monitoring, restoration or recreation.
• Conduct complex inspections and investigations (such as necropsies of animals in various states of decay) to gather biological samples or determine the cause of mortality.
• Coordinate activities with federal, state, local, and tribal governments and private and other organizations.
• Safely operate and maintain equipment.

Provide technical assistance and support for species and habitats through training, development of technical plans and reports, and data compilation and analysis:

• Compile, evaluate, analyze and graph collected data.
• Formulate conclusions and write reports or summaries.
• Draft technical report sections for review by supervisory biologists.
• Analyze and interpret impacts on fish and wildlife.
• Report progress to joint committees
• Assist in recovery planning, periodic status reviews, literature reviews and other requests for Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) recovery.
• Organize training events and may supervise volunteers and interns.
• Review and edit technical reports. Present information to groups or individuals to share knowledge and solicit or provide input for potential management actions.
• Participate in public outreach/educational events and organizes and/or delivers presentations.

Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 65% fieldwork and 35% in the office. Work settings may include offices, vehicles, wildlife areas, open water, heavy timber, brush, grasslands, wetlands, boats and floating devices and in rugged terrain and high traffic areas
• Hike and backpack up to 15 miles, often carrying field equipment (binoculars, field supplies, lightweight ladders) and/or pulling in supplies such as kayaks.
• Navigate uneven terrain, slippery rocks, steep banks, sticky mud and vegetation with potential exposure to stinging insects, *biting and pinching animals, and possible encounters with wildlife.
• Work may be performed independently in remote locations (following established check-in and check-out procedures) or in coordination with staff and volunteers, and may occur during inclement weather, during both day and night hours.
• May operate motorized (<26' aluminum boats, rigid inflatables) and non-motorized (kayaks, inflatables, canoes) watercrafts and pull trailers with large equipment/boats.
• May participate in aerial wildlife surveys.
• This position requires a willingness to euthanize wild animals for humane, scientific or population management reasons.
• May involve interaction with wildlife species that can carry rabies. A rabies pre-exposure vaccination is recommended but not required. If the employee elects to receive the vaccination, it will be provided by the agency at no cost.

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., 40 hours per week. May be required to work beyond standard hours or outside the normal workweek. This position includes night and early morning work and may occasionally require work on weekends and holidays.
Travel Requirements: Travel across Region 6 on a weekly basis. Travel across the state or out-of-state for up to one (1) week at a time occurs on occasion.
Tools and Equipment: Computer hardware and software (Microsoft Suite), truck, GPS and software (ArcMap/Trimble), personal locater beacons (e.g. In-reach), radio telemetry equipment (transmitters and attachment, receivers, antennas, tracking methods), dart-guns, electric or gas powered hand tools including drills, saws, weed trimmers, chainsaws, and brush cutters personal flotation device (PFD), and field gear (hip boots, xtratuffs, raingear, dry bag, backpacks).
Customer Interactions: Regularly interacts with the public while working in the office and during fieldwork, including contact with private property owners. May occasionally encounter individuals who are uncooperative or unsupportive. Collaborates routinely with tribal biologists and conducts work on tribal, private, and public lands.
Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
A bachelor's degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or related field.
*Including 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours of course work focusing on terrestrial wildlife conservation and management.
And
Two (2) years of professional experience in wildlife management/research or habitat management/research

This experience must include all the following experience/skills (may be gained concurrently):

• Conducting wildlife surveys in a field setting.
• Gathering data on species presence, abundance, movement or distribution.
• Data management.
• Conducting data quality assurance/quality control measures.
• Written and verbal communication for both scientific and general audiences.

And
The ability to discern physical characteristics necessary to identify western Washington butterflies, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, bats, bumblebees and plants.
Please Note:

• Professional equivalent experience in wildlife biology, natural resource management or related field may substitute, year for year, for the education requirement.
• A Master's degree or higher in wildlife management, natural resource science or environmental science may substitute for the required experience.
• *Please include an unofficial or official college transcript with your application.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver's License
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Trainings will be provided and/or facilitated by the WDFW.

• Firearm use is not required, however has been determined to be beneficial. With approval from the Program Director an employee may request to be issued firearms for use in certain job duties.
  • Prior to being issued firearms, the employee 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 issued firearms. This includes successful completion of background checks, drug screening, and required training and qualification.
• May include chemical immobilization during animal capture. Prior to handling or administering chemical immobilization drugs, incumbent must obtain and maintain the required license to handle and administer animal capture and immobilization drugs, in accordance with RCW 69.50.320, RCW 69.41.080, and Chapter 246-945 WAC.
• This position may involve the safe and ethical euthanasia of animals in accordance with established protocols.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
A Master's degree or higher in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
Three (3) or more years of professional field experience in a natural resource related discipline.
Experience in/with:

• Wide variety of non-game species.
• Radio telemetry.
• Acoustic Recording Units (ARU) deployment.
• Taylor's checkerspot butterfly.
• Working with birds, especially songbirds, shorebirds, and owls.
• Working with bats; conducting emergence counts, colony assessments, and capture.
• Working with turtles such as deploying turtle traps (basking and harp traps) and handling captured turtles.
• Deploying wildlife field cameras including baited camera stations.
• Prairie restoration and management.
• Wildlife population ecology and statistical analysis.
• Deploying mist nets and handling both/either birds or bats.
• Enhancing habitat for pollinator species, including tree/shrub removal, planting host/nectar plants, and control of invasive plant species.
• Experience using Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) geographic information system (GIS) mapping applications including bringing datasets into GIS, manipulating data within GIS, and producing GIS map products.
• Preparing comprehensive written reports.
• Database construction, management, and routine analysis functions.
• Operating non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes.
• Trailers including towing/trailering boats and/or heavy equipment.
• Using handheld data collection devices (such as smartphones, iPads) in the field and entering data using platforms such as Survey 123, Field Maps, and Collector.

• Using Microsoft Suite (such as Access, Teams, Excel, PowerApps).

Familiarity with :

• Identifying species using a taxonomic key or field guide.
• Techniques to humanely euthanize wildlife.
• CPR/First Aid/AED/Wilderness First Aid.
• Wildlife immobilization and handling.
• Working in remote locations, land navigation, and map reading.

Your application must 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.
• An unofficial or official college transcript.

Supplemental Information
In addition to and other , there are other 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:

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
• 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 [click to reveal phone number]360-902-2278 or email [click to reveal email address] 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 [click to reveal phone number](855) 524-5627 or .
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to and reference job #2026-00590.

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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

Are you currently an employee of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife? This includes permanent, non-permanent, intern, project, and career seasonal.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes, I have a current valid driver's license.
• No, I do not have a current valid driver's license.

03

Please select the option below that best describes the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Some College.
• Vocational Degree or Certificate.
• Associate's Degree.
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Master's Degree.
• Ph.D.
• None of the above.

04

What is your major area of study? If you possess multiple degrees, please list each degree and major. (If this does not apply to you, please put N/A.) This includes both vocational and college education.
05

If your experience includes a bachelor's degree, did you include your college transcript? If you answer No, your application may not be considered.

• Yes, I included my transcript
• No, I do not include my transcript
• I am not utilizing my bachelor's degree to qualify

06

Does your degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or related field include 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours of course focusing on terrestrial wildlife conservation and management?

• Yes, my degree includes this coursework
• No, my degree does not include this coursework
• I do not have a degree in wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science or related field.

07

Please select the option below that best describes your professional experience in wildlife management/research or habitat management/research.

• I do not have this experience
• I have less than 2 years of experience
• I have between 2 - 4 years of experience
• I have between 4 - 6 years of experience
• I have 6 years or more of experience

08

Please briefly describe your professional experience in wildlife management/research or habitat management/research. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).
09

Please select the options(s) below if you have the following. Select all that apply.

• Experience conducting wildlife surveys in a field setting
• Experience gathering data on species presence, abundance, movement or distribution
• Experience with data management
• Experience conducting data quality assurance/quality control measures
• Written and verbal communication skills for both scientific and general audiences
• None of the above

10

Do you have the ability to discern physical characteristics necessary to identify western Washington butterflies, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, bats, bumblebees and plants?

• Yes
• No

11

This position may at times, require conducting and assisting with the humane euthanasia of wildlife when necessary. Are you able to perform this function of the position?

• Yes
• No

12

Please select the option(s) below if you have experience with the following. Select all that apply.

• Wide variety of non-game species
• Working with butterflies, especially Taylor's checkerspot butterfly
• Working with birds, especially songbirds, shorebirds, and owls
• Working with bats such as conducting emergence counts, colony assessments, and capture
• Deploying mist nets and handling both/either birds or bats
• Working with turtles such as deploying turtle traps (basking and harp traps) and handling captured turtles
• None of the above

13

In support of the question above, please briefly describe your experience. Include the species or groups involved and the equipment or methods used. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).
14

Please select the option(s) below if you have experience with the following. Select all that apply.

• Radio telemetry
• Acoustic Recording Units (ARU) deployment
• Deploying wildlife field cameras including baited camera stations
• Prairie restoration and management
• Wildlife population ecology and statistical analysis
• Enhancing habitat for pollinator species, including tree/shrub removal, planting host/nectar plants, and control of invasive plant species
• None of the above

15

Please briefly describe your experience with wildlife population ecology and statistical analysis, including species studied and analytical tools or methods used. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).
16

How did you hear about this job posting? (Select all that apply).

• American Fisheries Society (AFS)
• Careers.wa.gov
• Community Based Organization
• Community/Technical College
• Conservation Job Board
• El Informador
• Facebook
• Four W's Fishing Team, LLC - Willard Franklin III, LinkedIn
• Handshake
• Hiring Event/Workshop
• Indeed.com
• Job Board
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• MHCC - Mount Hood Community College
• Newspaper
• Other
• Other State Agency
• Other Website
• Professional Association
• Society of American Foresters (SAF)
• Texas A&M
• Twitter
• University Job Board
• UW College of the Environment
• WDFW Employee
• WDFW Recruiter
• WDFW Website
• Word of Mouth
• WorkSource

17

Tell us more - kindly share which website, organization, person, or other source led you to this job posting.
Required Question

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Part time, Internship, Seasonal work, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Monday to Friday, Flexible hours, Shift work, Night shift, Weekend work, Early shift,

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