Northwest Region Biology Lead; TPS

About WSDOT

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is a multimodal agency with a global reputation for excellence. Our dedicated workforce plans, designs, builds, and operates an integrated transportation system that safely and efficiently moves people and goods throughout the state. In addition to maintaining over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, WSDOT manages the world's longest floating bridge, leads an award‑winning Active Transportation Plan, holds the record for the world’s widest tunneling project, and operates the largest ferry system in the nation!

WSDOT is currently seeking a Transportation Planning Specialist 4 to join the Northwest Region (NWR) Environmental team that protects Washington’s environment and communities as part of operating and improving the state transportation system. The NWR Environmental team works closely with all transportation partners, users, and diverse communities to protect and improve the environment through its policy development, technical support and training, and leadership in sustainability and resiliency.

This lead position supports the agency’s mission, strategic plan goal areas, and safety of the traveling public by serving as a regional leader in biology. The candidate will provide guidance to regional biologists through mentoring and active engagement related to biological analysis, documentation, and mitigation requirements for WSDOT in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. The candidate’s deliverables and services support compliance with environmental regulations including Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Washington State Hydraulic Code, State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, local Critical Areas ordinances, WSDOT policies, procedures, and guidelines.

This lead position is responsible for planning and conducting advanced transportation studies which require guiding project biologists with analyses and recommendations for biological and aquatic resource impact assessments, mitigation deliverables, and services required to support compliance with environmental regulations, as well as other biology lead work as needed to accomplish agency goals and minimize potential impacts from WSDOT’s actions.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the NWR Biology Lead will:

• Develop the NWR’s biological policies and processes to support compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations and ensure implementation of these policies and procedures with region biology staff.
• Proactively identify and resolve emerging or ongoing biology policy and procedural issues.
• Coordinate biology deliverables and services with engineers and others in the NWR, NWR Landscape Architecture, and/or other regions and WSDOT headquarters to ensure effective timing and information sharing and efficient use of resources.
• Provide direction, oversight and technical review of biology analysis and documentation; plan, coordinate, perform and direct appropriate and safe fish execution work.
• Perform or assist biologists with wetland delineations, collect data, and conduct desktop and field environmental analysis.
• Provide guidance on wetland mitigation planning and deliverables and wetland credit tracking and development.
• Maintain familiarity with and proficiency in the production and oversight of biological and aquatic resources impact assessments, mitigation deliverables and services required to comply with relevant environmental laws and regulations.

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

• Biological Research: Demonstrated ability to conduct research and assess ecological conditions.
• Biological Knowledge: Advanced knowledge and application of biological principles, methods, and practices on fieldwork analysis, report writing for delineating and characterizing wetlands, vegetation, and fish and wildlife species. Ability to identify and interpret aquatic and terrestrial habitats necessary for…