Fish Passage Environmental Coordinator and Biologist; 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. WSDOT manages over 20,000 lane miles of state highway and 4,100 bridges, including the world s longest floating bridge, an award-winning Active Transportation Plan, a record for the world s widest tunneling project, and the largest ferry system in the nation.

WSDOT Northwest Region (NWR) Environmental Office has an opportunity for an environmental professional with a strong interest in environmental issues and project delivery. The role applies environmental policy and biological experience while developing knowledge through hands-on project delivery and collaboration with WSDOT staff, federal, state, and local agencies, Tribal governments, and the public.

The primary focus is serving as the environmental representative on fish passage and habitat restoration projects, from early concepts through project advertisement, construction, completion, and post-construction monitoring. This is a hybrid role with approximately one-third of time on biological fieldwork and technical analysis, and two-thirds on project coordination, environmental documentation, and permitting. The position supports regional ecological stewardship and environmentally compliant transportation project delivery across the Northwest Region and the state of Washington.

Responsibilities include the following, as the Environmental Coordinator and Biologist:

• Prepare environmental documentation and permit applications to support agency actions and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations (including NEPA, SEPA, and other laws).
• Identify and evaluate environmental effects of highway features, construction methods, and operating procedures; work with project teams to recommend strategies to avoid or minimize impacts.
• Develop mitigation plans and supporting documentation to address unavoidable project impacts to protected habitats and species.
• Serve as the primary environmental point of contact for design and construction projects, coordinating deliverables, schedules, and budgets with project teams.
• Conduct biological studies including wetland delineations, aquatic and terrestrial surveys, and habitat assessments; prepare technical reports.
• Review project plans, contracts, and environmental documents to ensure consistency with permit conditions and regulatory requirements.
• Perform fieldwork in diverse conditions, including traversing steep or irregular terrain, working in creeks and rivers, and handling field equipment safely.
• Provide technical support and guidance to project teams, contractors, and consultants, including training peers and assisting with environmental compliance problem-solving.

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

• Applied Environmental and Biological Knowledge
  :
  Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge of forest ecology, wetlands, wildlife, fisheries, and stream restoration to transportation scoping, design, construction, maintenance, and operations.
• Communication and Customer Service
  :
  Ability to communicate effectively using oral and written communications; develop healthy working relationships with team members and customers and provide excellent customer service.
• Facilitation and Representation
  :
  Ability to facilitate and manage meetings and present materials to diverse stakeholder groups; represent and negotiate for WSDOT across multiple agencies and jurisdictions as assigned.
• Growth Mindset
  :
  Actively demonstrates a commitment to learning and growth.
• Service-Oriented
  :
  Demonstrates willingness to take action to meet the needs of others.

In addition to the above, the following are also required:

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Ability to travel within the region to perform fieldwork.
• Ability to traverse irregular and steep terrain, safely wade and work in creeks and rivers, and walk long distances carrying field gear.
• Ability to manipulate and transport up to 50 pounds of various material and equipment.
• An Applied Electrofishing Principles and Practices (BIO 407B) Certification from WDFW, USFWS, and NOAA, or ability to obtain within six months of employment.
• Ability to pass a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved Wetland Delineation Training Course and a Washington State Department of Ecology certified course on the 2014 revision of the WA State Wetland Rating System in Western WA.

It is preferred that qualified candidates also have:

• Transportation or Infrastructure Environmental Processes and Deliverables: Knowledge of environmental processes and deliverables required for transportation or other large infrastructure development projects. This knowledge may have been gained through professional experience…