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Stewardship Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 (FWB4)

Salary : $69,744.00 - $93,804.00 Annually
Location : Okanogan County - Omak, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-5-4352-04389
Department: Dept. of Natural Resources
Opening Date: 05/26/2026
Closing Date: 6/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Stewardship Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 (FWB4)Recruitment #2026-5-4352
Full-time, Permanent, Represented position (WFSE)
Location: Omak, WA
Work Hours and Partial Telework flexibility may be available and consideredRelocation Compensation may be available and considered
Salary: $5,812.00 - $7,817.00 Monthly
Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 6/2/26. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Forest Resilience Division as a Stewardship Fish and Wildlife Biologist.
Are you passionate about wildlife? Do you enjoy sharing this passion with others? Do you want to help non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners meet their wildlife objectives? If you enjoy speaking with landowners about wildlife and helping landowners become better stewards of their land, then this position may be for you! We are seeing a motivated individual to help NIPF landowners understand, manage, develop, and improve the wildlife habitat on their property.

The Forest Resilience Division is responsible for the assessment, planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of forest health-related activities across all lands that work to restore and sustain ecological functions of Washington's forested landscapes and support healthy and resilient communities. The Service Forestry Program is an integral part of the team through the direct delivery of technical assistance and educational services supporting proactive management of Washington's forests, including municipal, county, and nongovernmental organization-owned forest land.

The Service Forestry Program provides land management advice to forest landowners and helps to assess resource conditions and forest health, identify potential problems and opportunities, determine financial assistance eligibility, assist with treatment implementation, and recommend management practices to help achieve objectives. The program educates landowners and assists with the development and implementation of management plans to guide current and future management actions. The Service Forestry Program and goals are informed by USDA Forest Service program guidance, the Washington Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee, 20-Year Forest Health Strategic Plan: Eastern Washington, Wildland Fire Protection 10-Year Strategic Plan, and the Washington State Forest Action Plan.

The Statewide Stewardship Fish and Wildlife Biologist is the program lead and statewide expert biologist with leadership responsibility for fish and wildlife habitat management and policy issues for private forested lands. The position provides scientific expertise and advice to private landowners and other professionals serving private landowners. The Stewardship Biologist helps landowners develop and implement fish and wildlife habitat management components of management plans, resulting in habitat protection, creation, restoration, and enhancement on non-industrial forest lands. The Stewardship Biologist also assures fish and wildlife management components meet USDA Forest Service national plan standards and Washington State Integrated Forest Management Plan guidelines. The position is responsible for independently directing, developing, evaluating, managing, and implementing statewide biological studies, research, resource assessments, policies, legislation, or regulations as it relates to wildlife management issues for private forested lands in Washington state.
Duties

Responsibilities:

  • Provide on-site fish and wildlife resource assessments for private forest landowners.
  • Provide statewide scientific expertise and advice on fish and wildlife habitat needs in developing and implementing the fish and wildlife portion of management plans, including technical assistance to participants in DNR and WSU educational events.
  • Diagnose and assess forest wildlife damage problems and recommend control measures.
  • Provide statewide professional fish and wildlife habitat management consultation and advice to other natural resource professionals also serving forest landowners.
  • Develop, direct, manage, implement, and evaluate statewide biological studies.
  • Lead development of program policies and guidance related to wildlife habitat and management on private forest land.
  • Review legislation and provide input and analysis on bills impacting wildlife management on private forest lands.
  • Provide landowners with guidance on wildlife regulation.
  • Coordinate with other DNR programs and external public and private service providers.
  • Develop educational materials for, and make educational presentations to, family forest landowners, natural resource professionals who advise them, loggers, and other audiences regarding forest fish and wildlife habitat management.
  • Teach fish and wildlife-related topics and WSU Extension education programs, including Forest Owners Field Days, Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Courses, Family Forest Advisors Workshops, Contract Logger's Trainings, Conservation Districts, colleges, and others across the State.
  • Author, edit, and review articles and publications on fish and wildlife habitat management.
  • Provide technical and professional support for the Washington-Oregon Woodland Fish and Wildlife Publication project (or others). Serve on the project steering committee and author, review, and revise publications issued by the project.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. It is important that you clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

  • Bachelor of Science in fish and wildlife biology, wildlife management, or closely related field AND five years of professional, operational, field experience in forest fish and wildlife habitat management in the Pacific Northwest;
    OR Equivalent education plus experience.
  • Experience in typical silvicultural and forest management practices in the Pacific Northwest, including forest road design and construction, timber management planning, silviculture techniques, reforestation methods, and timber harvest boundaries.
  • Experience teaching or providing group presentations to small forest landowners or other non-technical audiences.
  • Experience responding to and interacting in a positive, responsive, cooperative, and collaborative manner while interacting with the public and other professionals (both inter-organizational and interdisciplinary).
  • Proficient with computers and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint, and various online presentation tools.
  • Experience in defining research problems and applying knowledge of research methods to forestry-related fish and wildlife research projects.

Required Competencies:

  • Uses interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to develop relationships rooted in acceptance, cooperation, and mutual regard with the public, external partners, and other governmental agencies.
  • Experience using effective oral and written communications to convey messages clearly and persuasively. Excellent public speaking skills.
  • Accustomed to identifying or creating need-specific organizational systems and implementing them to track program-specific components and competing deadlines.
  • Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
  • Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention and requests are followed.
  • DNR Core Competencies:
    • Personal Accountability
    • Value Others
    • Compassionate Communication
    • Inspire Others
    • Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

  • Work is performed indoors in office environments but includes regular work in on-site, outdoor settings such as field and classroom. Ability to walk over steep, uneven terrain in a variety of forest environments, year-round, statewide, in a variety of weather conditions is required.
  • Travel is required and may include site visits statewide, may be multiple days in length, and will require overnight stays estimated at three to five nights per month, but may be more depending on workload and scheduling. Additional travel may be required nationally for meetings, conferences, and other activities. The ability to drive long distances in a variety of weather conditions, year-round, is required.
  • A current, valid driver's license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.

Desired Qualifications:
These qualifications are not required. However, it can help you stand out as a candidate and should be highlighted in your application material.

  • Graduate degree in fish and wildlife biology, wildlife management, or a closely related field.
  • Three years of experience in silviculture and forest management practices in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Certified Wildlife Biologist designation by The Wildlife Society.
  • Experience providing technical assistance, education, and educational materials to professional and non-professional audiences, especially forest landowners.
  • Experience with Forest Stewardship Plan and Forest Management Plan development.
  • Experience with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS Pro, Survey 123, Field Maps, and other mapping tools to document work and convey information to non-technical audiences.
  • Experience working with small forest landowners, particularly in providing technical assistance.
  • Experience determining fish presence or conducting water typing assessments on non-industrial forest land, including electrofishing performed according to WA Department of Fish and Wildlife guidelines.

At DNR, we value diversity and inclusion and are committed to hiring the best candidate for the job. Don't let doubts stop you from applying for this position. If you have any questions about the qualifications, please email us at
Supplemental Information
Application Requirements:
Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact

  • Online Application: Apply at (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
  • Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be tailored to this job posting. Be sure to highlight your qualifications for this role, directly address the requirements of the position, and explain why you're the best candidate for the job.
  • Resume: Your resume should consist of your work history, education, volunteer work, life skills, experience, and any other relevant information associated with the position.
  • References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three (3) professional references, to include a current or most recent supervisor, along with telephone numbers.
  • Complete All Supplemental Questions: Answers to these questions will be used to evaluate candidates. Please provide comprehensive answers to all questions requiring a text response.
  • Applicants selected for interviews will be required to give a 15-minute presentation, including time for questions, on a wildlife topic of their choice as part of the interview.
  • Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security Number, year of birth, etc.).
  • Email Communication: Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive these communications.

Questions? Please contact Matt Provencher at /[click to reveal phone number] or email us at

Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call [click to reveal phone number] or email Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
At DNR, we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington's lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our Vision - Our actions ensure a future where Washington's lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission - Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington's lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:

  • Safety and Well-Being -Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
  • Public Service -We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
  • Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving - We solve our state's most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
  • Leadership and Teamwork -We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.

DNR provides excellent benefits, a few of which include:

  • Commitment to organizational health and wellness
  • Work/life balance
  • DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women's Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
  • Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups,
  • Leadership that empowers and supports employees
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Educational and career development aid
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
  • Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
  • A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit for more information.

Additional Information:
This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran's preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as social security numbers. We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Equal Opportunity Employer:The Washington State Department of Natural Resources 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 with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call [click to reveal phone number] or [click to reveal phone number] or email

Check us out on: | | | | |
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 entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

Please describe what interests you about the Department of Natural Resources.
02

Please describe what a work environment based on diversity, equity, inclusivity and belonging means to you.
03

Please select which of the following best describes your education and/or experience:

  • I have a Bachelor of Science in fish and wildlife biology, wildlife management, or a closely related field AND five years of professional, operational, field experience in forest fish and wildlife habitat management in the Pacific Northwest.
  • I have a combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in fish and wildlife biology, wildlife management, or a closely related field AND five years of professional, operational, field experience in forest fish and wildlife habitat management in the Pacific Northwest.
  • None of the above.

04

Do you have experience in typical silvicultural and forest management practices in the Pacific Northwest, including forest road design and construction, timber management planning, silviculture techniques, reforestation methods, and timber harvest boundaries?

  • Yes
  • No

05

Do you have experience teaching or providing group presentations to small forest landowners or other non-technical audiences?

  • Yes
  • No

06

Do you have experience responding to and interacting in a positive, responsive, cooperative, and collaborative manner while interacting with the public and other professionals (both inter-organizational and interdisciplinary)?

  • Yes
  • No

07

How do you rate your proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint, and various online presentation tools?

  • Expert (exceptional knowledge, recognized as expert user)
  • Skilled (solid knowledge, uses software frequently)
  • Developing (working knowledge)
  • Beginner (little or no experience, but interested and willing to learn)

08

Do you have experience in defining research problems and applying knowledge of research methods to forestry-related fish and wildlife research projects?

  • Yes
  • No

09

Do you have experience using effective oral and written communications to convey messages clearly and persuasively?

  • Yes
  • No

10

Do you have a valid driver's license and at least two years of driving experience?

  • Yes
  • No

11

Do you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.) to work legally for our agency in the United States?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Unsure

12

Where did you originally hear about this job posting?

13

If you answered "other" to the previous question, please specify where you originally learned of this employment opportunity in the space below.
Required Question

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Stewardship Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 (FWB4)

State of Washington
Okanogan, WA 98840
Full Time
Bachelor's
USD 69,744.00 - 93,804.00 per year

Published on 05/27/2026

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