Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - Wildlife Rehabilitation & Falconry - Permanent - *06725-21
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
FISH & WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 4
WILDLIFE REHABILITATION & FALCONRY
WDFW Wildlife Program
The preferred duty station is Olympia, Washington, however, we are also considering Mill Creek, Washington.
Become WDFW’s statewide expert on wildlife rehabilitation and falconry.
As a leader in your field, you will provide technical assistance and advice on wildlife rehabilitation and falconry to external and internal audiences.
Develop, direct, administer, and evaluate statewide wildlife rehabilitation and falconry programs while influencing sound resource management!
*WDFW Wildlife Biologist with Golden Eagle - Photo Credit: WDFW Staff
With that in mind,
Picture yourself developing and administering statewide permitting procedures - reviewing, evaluating, and permitting wildlife rehabilitation applicants and inspecting the facilities of future and licensed wildlife rehabilitators.
This is an opportunity to interpret and enforce policies, procedures, and regulations for the statewide falconry and wildlife rehabilitation programs.
The optimal applicants thrive on building collaboration and teamwork and have professional experience working with wildlife rehabilitation and have knowledge of falconry techniques.
We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
Falconry – Submitted By: WDFW Staff
Our Wildlife Rehabilitation & Falconry Biologist,
- Creates and issues wildlife rehabilitation and falconry permits.
- Ensures compliance with permit conditions and that practitioners operate with valid permits.
- Monitors compliance with standard operating procedures and animal welfare practices.
- Provides technical assistance to wildlife rehabilitators and falconers pertaining to regulations and standards governing these programs, and day to day activities (e.g., wildlife handling and care, nutrition, caging).
- Maintains database of wildlife rehabilitators and falconers.
- Manages annual wild take of peregrine falcons.
- Communicates with Migratory Birds office of USFWS and other state agency rehabilitation leads.
- Reviews, evaluates, and revises permitting procedures - evaluates and develops policies and regulations.
- Coordinates regular Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Panel meetings and provide technical and procedural expertise to support Panel discussions.
- Develops, directs, evaluates, and administers statewide Grants to Wildlife Rehabilitators.
- Drafts policies, procedures, and regulations pertaining to wildlife rehabilitation and falconry.
- Provides assistance to the public on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, wildlife rehabilitation permitting, and to those interested in falconry.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work Setting, including hazards:
Work is performed in an office environment with regular site visits to rehabilitation facilities.
The preferred duty station for this position is in Olympia, Washington, however, Mill Creek, Washington will also be considered. Due to the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order due to the pandemic, many of our positions are currently working remotely, or a combination of office and remote. When the Governor lifts the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order for state employees, combinations of office or telework may be considered.
Schedule:
Typically, Monday – Friday - 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Conducting field reviews of project sites may consist of 8 to 12-hour days, for several days in a row.
Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours and adjustment of work schedules.
Travel Requirements:
Statewide travel is required.
Tools and Equipment:
Standard office equipment such as telephone, smart phone, and computer.
Customer Interactions:
Work directly with wildlife rehabilitators, sport falconers, customer service staff, district biologists, conflict biologists, veterinarians, and enforcement.
Regular interactions with other local, state, and federal government personnel, and universities.
Liaison with federal government and other state governments on migratory birds, wildlife rehabilitation, and falconry.
Boeing’s Peregrine Falcon Rescue – Photo Credit: Patricia Thompson
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, zoology, or a related field.
AND
- Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife management, wildlife research, or a related field.
OR
- Four (4) years as a permitted wildlife rehabilitator, this must include experience with raptors.
OR
- Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.
Please Note:
- Professional equivalent experience may substitute year for year for the education requirements.
- A Master's degree in the applicable study will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
- A Ph.D. in the applicable study will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
Competencies:
- Ability to safely operate motor vehicles.
- Ability to follow oral and written directions, plan and prioritize projects.
- Ability to use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
- Use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, in written and verbal communication.
- Effectively use standard software applications (Word, PowerPoint, Access, and Excel).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- A Master's degree with a major study in zoology, wildlife management, wildlife ecology, animal sciences, veterinary medicine, or a related field.
- Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife management or wildlife research.
- Professional experience working with wildlife rehabilitation - including knowledge of falconry techniques.
Job Knowledge:
- Understand wildlife ecology, raptor ecology, natural history, wildlife management and research, wildlife rehabilitation standards and techniques, current animal welfare standards, and animal physiology.
- Understand and implement environmental and wildlife codes and regulations.
- Ability to review scientific literature and critically interpret and apply research findings related to wildlife ecology, wildlife rehabilitation, and applied veterinary science.
- Ability to manage budgets and fiscal and contract processes as they pertain to contracts, grant distribution/funding, and reimbursement process.
- Develop data collection methods and summarize to inform applied management of natural resources.
Supplemental Information
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:
- A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
- A current resume.
- Three professional references.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
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
The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe. We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field. We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line should include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
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.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.
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.
*(Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks).
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