Puget Sound Recreational Fishery Manager - Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Overview

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

• 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.
• Lead the permanent rules process after the NOF process for recreational salmon fisheries, taking public comments through a variety of correspondence methods including public hearings, for Puget Sound recreational fisheries and other regional fisheries.
• Contribute to drafting and editing the Concise Explanatory Statement (CES) for each fishery year.
• Lead the development and production of the annual Washington Sport Fishing Rules Pamphlet each year, coordinating with a large team of staff to meet deadlines for editing, review, and production statewide.
• Serve as an integral, lead team member in the annual salmon management planning process called “North of Falcon” (NOF), including interpreting agency policy, negotiating, and consensus-building among multi-jurisdictional colleagues to achieve harvest management plans and conservation plans.
• Produce analytically derived model inputs for the Fisheries Regulations Assessment Model (FRAM) and provide estimates of recreational catch for Puget Sound and freshwater fisheries.
• Lead the Puget Sound Recreational Fishing Advisors group to coordinate input from the public and advisors regarding priorities and recommendations for salmon fisheries management in Puget Sound.
• 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; produce reports, tables, graphs, and interpretations of CRC data.
• Provide analyses of data to support justification of recreational salmon fisheries and communicate annual fishing plans and regulatory models to stakeholders.
• Promote understanding of recreational fishing issues and rules through interaction with co-managers, media, fishing clubs, stakeholder groups, and other interested parties.
• Review and provide direction on proposed recreational salmon fishery monitoring projects to the Puget Sound Salmon Management Team.
• Analyze and interpret agency research data to develop management strategies for the recreational fishery, ensuring alignment with the Pacific Salmon Treaty, Endangered Species Act, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Prepare for and participate in other duties as assigned, including liaising with courts and responding to inquiries from the public, media, and industry.

Required Qualifications: