Salary: $5,928.00 - $7,973.00 Monthly
Location : Clark County - Ridgefield, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number:
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 7/27/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Title- Invasive Freshwater Mussel MonitoringLead

Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4

Job Status- Full-Time - PermanentWDFW Program- Fish Program Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington - Clark County
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.
What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Invasive Freshwater Mussel Monitoring Lead will,

• 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 as well as write and review protocols and present monitoring results.
• Independently coordinate with federal agencies, state agencies, local agencies, tribal governments, Public Utilizes Departments, stakeholder groups, and private citizens on IFM monitoring actives.
• Principal responsibility for collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, the development of conclusions and recommendations for management, research or mitigation needs, and the preparation of reports.
• Conduct quality control and quality assurance on all data collected ensuring accuracy and integrity.
• Develop and manage tribal monitoring contracts.
• Procurement and inventory of a vast variety and quantity of equipment.
• 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 of employees, specific job-related training and other approaches to provide opportunities for staff flexibility and development.

Working Conditions:
Work setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 35% fieldwork (water and land based) and 65% in the office.
• Work independently in remote locations, occasionally during inclement weather, day and night.
• Walk up to five (5) miles on uneven ground and frequently must be able to lift 75 pounds (monitoring equipment, sandbags etc.).
• Operate and transport 15 - 20 ft. watercraft, large equipment up to a 25 ft. cargo trailer, flatbed trailers, winches, motor vehicles, and complex hot water trailered pressure washers.
• This position will involve working in water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday, 8:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. May be required to work additional hours as needed, including holidays and weekends and must be available to respond on short notice to rapid response AIS emergencies.
Travel Requirements: Requires frequent statewide travel and overnight stays up to five (5) days at times.
Tools and Equipment: Desktop, laptop, smart phone, electronic tablet, electronic software forms and satellite messengers, standard field sampling gear including complex mobile water quality laboratory, eDNA, underwater remote operated vehicles, and non-electronic biological and environmental sampling devices, 15 - 20 ft. watercraft, trailered and hand-pushed hot-water pressure washers, large equipment up to a 25 ft., cargo trailer, flatbed trailers, winches and motor vehicles.
Customer Interactions: Interacts with the public on a regular basis conducting outreach and educational events, presentations, and monitoring. Occasionally is confronted with citizens that are non-compliant or not cooperative.
Qualifications:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor's degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science.

And

Five (5) years of professional experience in fish management or research, wildlife management or research, or habitat management or research.

Or
Four (4) years as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4
In addition to the above, the following experience is required (may be gained concurrently):

One (1) year managing an invasive freshwater mussel monitoring program.
Please Note:

• A Master's degree in the applicable science will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver's License.
Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
Two (2) years of experience in the aquatic invasive species (AIS) field.
Experience with:

• AIS management principles and procedures.
• Conducting zebra, quagga, and golden mussel monitoring.
• Interacting with stakeholders and participating in public education/outreach events.
• Conducting public presentations.
• Operating 4x4 vehicles, watercrafts, and hot water pressure washers.
• Independently towing and backing up watercraft and trailers in all weather conditions.
• Developing, implementing, and managing statewide biological studies and management actions.
• Preparing comprehensive written reports.
• Database construction, management, and routine analysis functions.
• Experience transporting and operating vehicles, boats and trailers.
• Experience using handheld GPS, satellite messengers, smart phones, electronic tablets, PC, and laptops.
• Software including ArcGIS, Teams, Access, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and iForms.

Your application must 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.
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.

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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 savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entit