Salary : $115,000.00 - $126,000.00 Annually
Location : Chelan County - Wenatchee, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 10/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Title - Eastern Washington Fish Science Manager

Classification - WMS Band 2

Job Status - Full-Time/PermanentWDFW Program - Fish Program - Science Division Duty Station - Wenatchee, Washington (Chelan County) is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, other duty stations within Eastern Washington may be considered.

Remote Employment - This position may include telework options up to two days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.

Posting Timeframe - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until October 13, 2026. First review of applications will take place September 15, 2026. Application review is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Following the first review date, this recruitment may be closed at any time.
As our Eastern Washington Fish Science Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for research, monitoring, and evaluation activities that inform critical conservation, management, and mitigation decisions in the Columbia and Snake River basins.
You will ensure WDFW's science is focused on key conservation, management, and mitigation needs, communicated in a transparent and accessible manner to decision-makers, and meets a high standard of scientific rigor.
This is an opportunity to serve as WDFW's technical expert on salmon recovery, hydropower mitigation, and adaptive hatchery management in Eastern Washington. Working across disciplines and with policy staff, Tribes, agencies, and other partners, you will help shape science priorities and translate complex research into actionable information for fish management.
Through your leadership of the Hatchery-Wild Interactions and Salmon Recovery Science units, you will guide work that supports healthy and sustainable salmon and steelhead populations throughout the Columbia and Snake River basins.
What to Expect -

As our Eastern Washington Fish Science Manager, you will provide strategic direction for monitoring, research, and evaluation activities supporting salmon and steelhead management and recovery across Regions 1, 2, and 3. Key responsibilities include:
Scientific Leadership:

• Provide leadership, vision, and direction for science activities in Eastern Washington, ensuring that science activities are focused on high-priority topics with strong management and policy implications.
• Develop a forward-looking Eastern Washington science program encompassing an all-H (Habitat, Harvest, Hatcheries, Hydropower) management framework.

Science-Policy Interface:

• Serve as WDFW technical representative on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) related committees and workgroups designed to evaluate and adaptively manage the direct and indirect effects of hydropower development and operations on fish populations.
• Serve as point person on the development and implementation of scientifically robust monitoring and evaluation programs and other science needs in Eastern Washington associated with implementation of WDFW Anadromous Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery Policy, Hatchery Management Plans, and Hatchery Genetic Management Plans.
• Provide a clear and defensible scientific foundation for FERC mitigation decisions, and summarize, interpret, and communicate science needed to meet FERC mitigation requirements.
• Summarize, interpret, and communicate science to be used in ongoing litigation over Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions for federal dams in the Columbia River.

Supervision:

• Supervise the Hatchery-Wild Interactions (HWI) Unit Leader and Salmon Recovery Science (SRS) Unit Leader and oversee approximately 90 staff within the Fish Science Division.
  • The HWI Unit consists of five (5) research teams in Eastern Washington with a primary responsibility for monitoring and evaluation of all WDFW salmon and steelhead hatchery programs in Eastern Washington.
  • The SRS Unit consists of two (2) research teams in Eastern Washington. The SRS Unit has primary responsibility for the foundational monitoring and evaluation of WDFW fisheries, population status and trends of salmon, steelhead, and bull trout in Eastern Washington.

Administration:

• Negotiate and secure contracts, agreements, and programmatic funding to support science needs for conservation, fisheries management, and recovery.

Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:

Majority of work is performed in an office setting (90%) with some field work. Field work includes smolt and adult fish trapping operations, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tag operations, working at hatchery facilities, and conducting stream surveys.

Hazards include navigating uneven and slippery terrain, slips, and trips.

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 40 hours per week with some flexibility.
Travel Requirements: Frequent travel is required within and outside Washington State.
Customer Relations: Regular interactions with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies as well as Public Utility Districts (PUDs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and regional recovery organizations.
Qualifications:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Required Qualifications:

A Master's degree in fisheries science, biology or zoology or a closely allied field.
AND all of the following:

• Eight (8) years of professional experience designing and conducting multidisciplinary fish-related research studies.
• Demonstrated professional experience supervising, leading, and coaching employees, including performance management.
• Six (6) articles published in peer-reviewed literature, including:
  • Four (4) articles for which you are the senior author.
  • Two (2) additional articles for which you are the senior or secondary author.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid unrestricted Driver's License.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• A Ph.D. in fisheries science, biology or zoology or closely allied field.
• Experience with analytical tools and statistical modeling used in the management of salmon and steelhead populations, including abundance estimation, life cycle models, and management strategy evaluation.
• Knowledge of Columbia Basin fish populations, hydropower operations and mitigation agreements, and recreational and commercial fisheries.
• Ability to work directly with tribal co-managers in the Columbia Basin on various topics including monitoring and evaluation, population status and trend, hydropower impacts, predation, and climate change issues.

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 professional references with current contact information.

Supplemental Information
In addition to and other , there are other that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the "Benefits" tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.
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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savin