Fish Passage & Wildlife Biologist; TPS

About WSDOT

Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal organization with a global reputation for excellence! Our dedicated workforce is responsible to plan, design, build, and operate an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 18,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, executes an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, holds a record for the world's widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is seeking an experienced Fish Passage & Wildlife Biologist to play a key role in advancing the agency’s Fish Passage Barrier Correction Program, one of the most significant habitat restoration efforts in the state. This position supports compliance with the 2013 U.S. District Court Injunction for Culvert Correction and directly contributes to salmon recovery and long‑term ecosystem health. You will serve as WSDOT’s fish passage subject matter expert, providing biological leadership from inventory and prioritization through design, construction, and monitoring.

You will evaluate habitat connectivity needs, identify restoration opportunities, and ensure fish passage solutions are integrated where they make the greatest ecological impact. You’ll collaborate closely with WSDOT’s Environmental Services Office, Headquarters Hydraulics, and regional teams, and represent WSDOT in coordination with Tribes, regulatory agencies, and external partners.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Fish Passage and Wildlife Biologist will:

• Provide guidance and technical information on fish passage and habitat connectivity to WSDOT staff and contracted consultants.
• Make recommendations on fish passage designs and help resolve issues.
• Review and comment on consultant‐prepared Preliminary Hydraulic Design (PHD) reports and the Final Hydraulic Design (FHD).
• Review designs at 30/60/90 development and make recommendations on channel design.
• Support WSDOT regions statewide to develop and construct fish passage projects.
• Lead efforts to incorporate Habitat Connectivity principles, procedures, and designs in WSDOT fish passage projects, when important, and provide design guidance for fish passage crossings that are also high priorities for terrestrial wildlife connectivity.
• Help prepare and review habitat connectivity memos for fish passage project sites.
• Coordinate with Habitat Connectivity subject matter experts regarding habitat connectivity design elements for fish passage projects.
• Track, monitor, and report on fish passage projects that implemented Habitat Connectivity memo recommendations to verify terrestrial connectivity crossings are effective.
• Update WSDOT’s Fish Passage Database to reflect which habitat connectivity actions were implemented at WSDOT fish passage projects for monitoring and reporting purposes.
• Conduct site visits and gather supporting information to help verify fish passage culvert inventory, species, and habitat data to assist with culvert injunction implementation.

To be considered for this opportunity, the following are required:

• Fish Passage Project Delivery – Demonstrated experience assessing fish passage barriers and contributing to the design and construction of fish passage projects using appropriate methods, materials, and construction practices.
• Regulatory Knowledge – Fish Passage Standards – Working knowledge of Washington State fish passage barrier correction standards, rules, and guidance, with the ability to apply them to project planning, design review, and construction oversight.
• Construction Plan Interpretation – Ability to read, interpret, and apply construction drawings, specifications, and design details to support project implementation and field decision making.
• Salmonid Ecology & Biology – Knowledge of salmonid life cycles, habitat needs, and biological considerations, and the ability to integrate this understanding into fish passage and habitat restoration work.
• Aquatic Habitat Assessment & Data…