Snowy Plover Biologist - Fish and Wildlife Biologist I

Title: Snowy Plover Biologist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1 

Location:Grays Harbor County – Montesano, WA

Salary

$3,840.00 - $5,137.00 Monthly

Job Type

Full Time - Non-Permanent

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

2026-00483

Job Description:

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program - Wildlife Diversity Division

Duty Station- *Montesano, Washington - Grays Harbor 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 - Snowy Plover Nest - Photo Credit: Roy W. Lowe

Are you passionate about protecting State Endangered and Federally Threatened species?

This is an opportunity to educate beach users and local landowners through targeted and informal outreach.

We are seeking a candidate to assist with on-the-ground conservation actions related to the recovery and monitoring of Western Snowy Plovers in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Monitor breeding snowy plovers and presence of threats to evaluate population size and nest and fledgling success through on-the-ground actions.

• Completing comprehensive surveys to determine presence and nesting status of individual snowy plovers across established and suitable nesting habitat. 
• Assisting with population assessment surveys in coordination with WDFW staff and external partners, including state, federal, and tribal entities.
• Monitoring nests to determine hatching success or failure.
• Monitoring chicks to determine fledgling survival.
• Placing federally-issued color bands on chicks using appropriate capture and placement methods.
• Using binoculars and spotting scopes to read color leg bands. 
• Monitoring and recording the presence of threats to plover nests and broods, such as the presence of avian and mammalian predators. 
• Maintaining equipment and vehicle.
• Communicating regularly with WDFW and partners.

Administrative duties and data management.

• Recording data in the field and after fieldwork activities. 
• Entering field data into electronic databases and performing quality assurance checks.
• Coordinating regularly with WDFW research staff to ensure proper data collection methodologies.
• Working with external partners to collect and distribute weekly data summaries allowing for real-time management decisions.
• Summarizing data and coauthoring annual report.

Minimize human disturbance to nesting plovers to increase breeding success.

• Placing and maintaining public symbolic signage as needed. 
• Providing rapid and relevant information to land management agencies during the field season to help them protect nesting plovers from potential threats.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is primarily outdoors in a coastal marine climate with high levels of rainfall and inclement weather. May involve hiking over wet, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces over long distances. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday - Friday, working 40 hours per week. 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.

Travel requirements: Regular daily travel within Pacific and Grays Harbor counties and limited overnight travel.

Customer Interactions: Regular interactions with beach users during snowy plover work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, or related field, or equivalent experience monitoring birds, nests, and field sampling.

And

Two (2) years or more of professional experience in/with:

• Monitoring birds and/or conducting bird field research, locating and monitoring bird nests, using spotting scopes and binoculars.
• Principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management.
• Methods and techniques of field sampling.
• Collecting, managing, organizing, evaluating, and producing written summaries of data.
• Field investigations.

And

One (1) year or more of professional experience in/with:

• Wildlife population relationships and ecology.
• Wildlife habitat relationships.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Personal computer hardware and software, smartphone, or tablet applications.
• Navigating using handheld GPS units.

License:  Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Six (6) months or more of professional experience in/with:

• Monitoring snowy plovers or other shorebirds.
• Banding birds, particularly shorebirds.
• Mark-resight field collection methodologies.
• Working alone in somewhat remote locations.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume.
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three (3) professional references with current contact information.

Union - WAFWP:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFW's efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications.  Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully.  All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the ctizens of Washington.