Noxious Weed Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Title- Noxious Weed Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW
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Photo Caption:
Chehalis Wildlife Area – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about the great outdoors? Join our team and turn your passion into a rewarding career.

Support WDFW’s mission by preserving and creating habitat through the management of noxious weeds and invasive vegetation.

With your leadership experience, you will oversee the Montesano weed crew as they implement Spartina eradication efforts and other restoration/enhancement projects in Coastal Region 6.

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Noxious Weed Biologist will,

Restore/enhance fish and wildlife habitat by implementing field projects to control noxious weeds and other vegetation:

• Work with the Noxious Weed Coordinator to identify weed projects of regional importance;
  Organize, schedule, and implement these projects through active participation and use of integrated pest management.
• Conduct and delegate Spartina eradication duties for Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor to the Pest Biologist 1, tracking the progress and success of those efforts.
• Coordinate with wildlife area managers, as well as other federal, tribal, state, county agencies, and NGOs to partner on weed projects.
• Operate specialized equipment (such as airboats, drones, and amphibious tractors).
• Maintain records, produce maps using ArcPRO, and write biweekly progress reports and annual summary re reports.

Maintain and repair equipment:

• Diagnose and repair specialized equipment (such as airboats, amphibious tractors, and trailers) to ensure safe and reliable operation in the field.
• Perform routine maintenance and repair of vehicles, pumps, and other equipment to ensure the safe, timely, and reliable operation in the field.

Leadership and administrative duties:

• Plan, assign, and review the work of staff, adjusting assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels for project workloads.
• Evaluate employee performance and prepare performance appraisals.
• Purchase equipment, goods, and services according to Department policies and complete fiscal paperwork in a timely manner.
• Completes personal travel paperwork and approve their staff’s paperwork.

Approximately 60% of work will occur in a field setting. Field work is performed in a variety of habitats, including the intertidal regions of Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, in all weather conditions. Walk over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and mud. Bend and stoop, while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of equipment. Load and transport gear, frequently weighing over 40 pounds.

Utilize pesticides and herbicides as needed. Operate specialized equipment including airboats and amphibious tractors. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Typically, 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Some projects will require travelling to other areas of the state, including occasional weekend travel and stays of up to a week at a time.

Small mechanical equipment (such as brush cutters), chemical application equipment, hand tools, and specialized equipment (such as 4WD trucks, swamp buggies, airboats, motorboats, drones, and all-terrain vehicles).