Announcement #
2026-085
Issue Date:
07-28-26
Closing Date:
07-28-26
Fisheries Habitat Specialist
Fisheries Resource Management (FRM)
Department of Natural Resources
Hourly Wage: $34.39-$38.70/Regular/Full-Time
Location: Wenatchee
Incumbent will be responsible for the development and implementation of high priority natural resource projects throughout the Upper Columbia Basin that protect, restore and manage anadromous fish habitat in direct coordination with Senior Fisheries Habitat Specialists and the Northern Treaty Territories Special Projects Lead. Independent management and development of multiple simultaneous habitat restoration and protection activities throughout the Upper Columbia Basin will be required. Fisheries Habitat Specialists will be responsible for assessing habitat conditions, prioritizing restoration actions, leading landowner and agency partnership development to allow restoration to occur, contracting with consultants, construction contractors, and resource specialists to conduct restoration work, environmental compliance and project permitting, restoration accomplishment reporting, leading public outreach campaigns for specific project sites, and soliciting project funding and applying for and managing grants. Independent technical report writing and project budget management will be integral tasks performed in coordination with Senior Fisheries Habitat Specialists and the Northern Treaty Territories Special Projects Lead. Managing and directing conservation acquisitions will also be performed, including stewardship of protected properties. Incumbent will routinely use GIS, remote sensing products, word processers, databases/spreadsheets, cloud computing, temperature and turbidity sensors, and native fish capture and handling equipment to perform job duties. The Fisheries Habitat Specialists will also attend regional inter-governmental meetings to coordinate on salmon habitat restoration activities and provide technical expertise as requested.
Examples of Work Performed:
Manages and enacts habitat data collection and habitat analysis of specific priority restoration areas to determine habitat restoration objectives for both Yakama Nation Fisheries and regional inter-governmental purposes. Oversees the preparation of technical reports and memos regarding habitat conditions for clear communication of habitat restoration needs and objectives.
Develops and implements detailed habitat restoration plans for specific habitat restoration actions in high priority project areas. Procures technical expert services for survey, hydraulic modeling, geotechnical review, engineering, native plant restoration, vegetation management, and other required expertise. Acquires federal, state, and local permits and ensures environmental compliance to support restoration plans. Acquires land access permissions and agreements on federal, state, and private lands. Oversees project implementation including construction contractor procurement and oversight. Oversees and performs fish salvage activities in support of restoration actions.
Develops and implements all work required for habitat protection acquisitions, including public outreach, land appraisals, title review, National Environmental Policy Act review, land surveys, easement development and purchase and sale agreements. Assists in the stewardship of acquired properties to ensure compliance with land acquisition objectives.
Writes and manages funding applications to federal, state, and local grant programs to fund habitat restoration and acquisition projects. Assists in the management of any obtained grants.
Writes technical reports, memos, and creates presentations and posters regarding restoration project implementation and effectiveness. Assists in reporting implementation and effectiveness metrics to project funders and environmental permitting agencies.
Directly manages and stewards supplies, equipment, vehicles, and work spaces in the Upper Columbia field offices as assigned by the Senior Fisheries Habitat Specialists and the Northern Treaty Territories Special Projects Lead.
Meets on a regular basis with private landowners and representatives of resource agencies to promote and coordinate habitat restoration and protection strategies in all assigned geographic areas.
Meets with tribal support staff and coordinates with other Yakama Nation projects as required.
Performs other natural resource management duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Detailed knowledge of the life histories and ecology of anadromous salmonids in the Upper Columbia Basin.
Applied experience of using principles of engineering, geology, ecology, and/or hydrology to develop
habitat restoration projects.
Demonstrated ability to initiate, organize, and implement major projects independently.
Knowledge and experience with federal contracting and procurement policies and procedures.
Experience in acquiring and managing permits for construction activities in shoreline and critical area environments.
Experience with grant writing, project budgeting, and project management including contractor coordination and
oversight.
Experience with federal land acquisition policies and procedures.
Highly capable of using standard word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet/database programs to produce professional looking technical reports and presentations.
Experience in making maps and managing vector and raster data in GIS.
Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences on complicated natural resource management issues.
Ability to be sensitive to tribal culture and values and work to bring together individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
Ability to plan, organize, evaluate, and control the workflow of technicians, technical consultants, and construction contractors.
Ability to travel throughout the Upper Columbia Basin and to Toppenish as work requires.
Ability to occasionally work in areas away from the employee's field station and lodge in hotels or other accommodations for up to a week at a time.
Ability to perform physical labor and work outdoors under various weather conditions.
Minimum Requirements:
Requires a four year degree in natural resources management, fisheries, or closely related field AND three years' experience equivalent to a Biologist II. A master's degree in fisheries, natural resources management, or a closely related field is preferred and counts as a year of experience.
Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
Required to pass a pre-employment background check with no fish or wildlife convictions.
Must live in or be willing to relocate into Chelan and/or Okanogan County, and to work from an assigned field office.
Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.
Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
