Job Description

Posting number: 2026-08218

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: FISH AND WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Agriculture, Parks, Natural Resources, Wetlands, Sciences, Building & Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance, Wildlife, Horticulture

Summary

Title- Noxious Weed Biologist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division

Duty Station- Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Chehalis Wildlife Area – Photo Credit: WDFW

Are you passionate about the great outdoors? Join our team and turn your passion into a rewarding career.

Support WDFW’s mission by preserving and creating habitat through the management of noxious weeds and invasive vegetation.

With your leadership experience, you will oversee the Montesano weed crew as they implement Spartina eradication efforts and other restoration/enhancement projects in Coastal Region 6.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Noxious Weed Biologist will,

Restore/enhance fish and wildlife habitat by implementing field projects to control noxious weeds and other vegetation:

• Work with the Noxious Weed Coordinator to identify weed projects of regional importance; Organize, schedule, and implement these projects through active participation and use of integrated pest management.
• Conduct and delegate Spartina eradication duties for Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor to the Pest Biologist 1, tracking the progress and success of those efforts.
• Coordinate with wildlife area managers, as well as other federal, tribal, state, county agencies, and NGOs to partner on weed projects.
• Operate specialized equipment (such as airboats, drones, and amphibious tractors).
• Maintain records, produce maps using ArcPRO, and write biweekly progress reports and annual summary reports.

Maintain and repair equipment:

• Diagnose and repair specialized equipment (such as airboats, amphibious tractors, and trailers) to ensure safe and reliable operation in the field.
• Perform routine maintenance and repair of vehicles, pumps, and other equipment to ensure the safe, timely, and reliable operation in the field.

Leadership and administrative duties:

• Plan, assign, and review the work of staff, adjusting assignments and schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels for project workloads.
• Evaluate employee performance and prepare performance appraisals.
• Purchase equipment, goods, and services according to Department policies and complete fiscal paperwork in a timely manner.
• Completes personal travel paperwork and approve their staff’s paperwork.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Approximately 60% of work will occur in a field setting. Field work is performed in a variety of habitats, including the intertidal regions of Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor, in all weather conditions. Walk over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and mud. Bend and stoop, while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of equipment. Load and transport gear, frequently weighing over 40 pounds.

Utilize pesticides and herbicides as needed. Operate specialized equipment including airboats and amphibious tractors. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday. 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: Some projects will require travelling to other areas of the state, including occasional weekend travel and stays of up to a week at a time.

Tools and Equipment: Small mechanical equipment (such as brush cutters), chemical application equipment, hand tools, and specialized equipment (such as 4WD trucks, swamp buggies, airboats, motorboats, drones, and all-terrain vehicles).

Customer Interactions: Regularly interact with other agencies and members of the public.

Qualifications:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

• A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• AND
• One (1) year of professional experience in fish management/research, wildlife management/research, or habitat management/research.

Please note: A Master’s degree or higher in an applicable science may substitute for the required experience.

Option 2: One (1) year as a Fish and Wildlife Biologist 1.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) pesticide license with aquatic endorsement (can be obtained within 30 days of employment).

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Experience:

• Supervising and managing field crews to complete field projects.
• Operating boats and airboats in marine environments.
• Operating amphibious tractors, mowers, and other machinery.
• Applying herbicide.
• Trailering equipment.
• Maintaining and repairing equipment.
• Collecting data using GPS devices and using programs to map data.
• Using collected data and other information to write reports.
• Flying drones.
• Using Microsoft Office.

Familiarity with:

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) management principles and procedures.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) principles.
• Marine environments, wetland biology, and wetland botany.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC).
• Public Operator pesticide applicator license, with the following endorsements:
• Aquatic
• Turf & Ornamental
• Drone pilot license.

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 pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

Important Note:

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

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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Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following:

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov.
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
• Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Everyone Belongs Outdoors - WDFW Flag.

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 citizens of Washington.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Request an accommodation: Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-08212.

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