Invasive Freshwater Mussel Monitoring Lead - Fish & Wildlife Biologist

Title:

Invasive Freshwater Mussel Monitoring Lead

Classification:
Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4
• Job Status:
Full‑time – Permanent
• WDFW Program:
Fish Program
• Duty Station:
Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Join the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Division and play a vital role in protecting Washington’s aquatic ecosystems. This team leads efforts to prevent the introduction and spread of marine and freshwater AIS through early detection, monitoring, and strategic management across the state.

Serve as the department's subject matter expert on invasive freshwater mussels (IFM) and other high‑priority freshwater AIS. Lead the development, implementation, and annual coordination of Washington's statewide monitoring plan, providing scientific expertise to support early detection, rapid response, and long‑term management of invasive species.

• Serve as expert on invasive freshwater mussels monitoring statewide.
• Independently prioritize, plan, develop, design, and evaluate AIS prevention, early detection, rapid response, and fieldwork.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and represent the Department on IFM technical monitoring committees and regional coordination groups; write and review protocols; present monitoring results.
• Coordinate with federal agencies, state agencies, local agencies, tribal governments, public utilities, stakeholder groups, and private citizens on IFM monitoring activities.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data; develop conclusions and recommendations for management, research or mitigation; prepare reports.
• Conduct quality control and quality assurance on all data collected to ensure accuracy and integrity.
• Develop and manage tribal monitoring contracts.
• Procure and inventory a variety of equipment and supplies.
• Supervise 11 staff across Spokane, Ephrata, Pasco, Yakima, Ridgefield, and Olympia duty stations.
• Develop and implement staff training and development plans to provide cross‑training, specific job‑related training, and other approaches to promote staff flexibility and development.

• Approximately 35% fieldwork (water and land based) and 65% office work.
• Work independently in remote locations, occasionally during inclement weather, day and night.
• Walk up to five miles on uneven ground and lift up to 75 pounds of monitoring equipment.
• Operate and transport 15–20 ft. watercraft, large equipment up to a 25‑ft cargo trailer, flatbed trailers, winches, motor vehicles, and hot‑water trailered pressure washers.
• Work in water, including tasks that require navigating and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM; may be required to work additional hours, including holidays, weekends, and rapid‑response AIS emergencies.

Travel Requirements:
Frequent statewide travel and overnight stays up to five days at times.

• Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
• Five years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.
• Four years as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4.
• One year managing an invasive freshwater mussel monitoring program.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Substitutions: A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one year of required experience; a Ph.D. will substitute for two years.

• Two years of experience in the aquatic invasive species (AIS) field.
• Experience with AIS management principles and procedures.
• Experience conducting zebra, quagga, and golden mussel monitoring.
• Experience interacting with stakeholders and participating in public education/outreach events.
• Experience delivering public presentations.
• Proficiency operating 4x4 vehicles, watercraft, and hot‑water pressure washers; towing and backing up watercraft and trailers in all weather conditions.
• Experience developing, implementing, and managing statewide biological studies and management actions.
• Experience preparing comprehensive written reports.
• Database construction, management, and routine analysis skills.
• Proficiency with handheld GPS, satellite messengers, smart phones,…