Collection Agent Jobs in Washington

Description

Working Title: Wildlife Scientific Collection Permit Coordinator
Classification: Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3
Job Status: Permanent/Part-Time – 20 hours per week
WDFW Program: Wildlife Program – Wildlife Diversity Division
Duty Station: Olympia, Washington – Thurston County While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.

The salary listed above does not include the 2% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW! Photo Caption – Snow goose – Photo Credit: Bill Hebner

Are you knowledgeable about laws, regulations, and policies related to management and conservation of wildlife, and are you familiar with ecology, biology, and research methods used to study a wide range of wildlife? This is an opportunity to contribute both directly and indirectly to the mission to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish and wildlife to achieve healthy and diverse ecosystems. With your experience, you will serve as the Wildlife Program’s statewide lead on Scientific Collection Permits. We are seeking a candidate to develop, manage, and maintain systems to ensure consistent permitting processes are followed, and permit-related information is readily available to support management, conservation, and enforcement decisions that benefit Washington wildlife.

WHAT TO EXPECT -

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Coordinate Scientific Collection Permitting for the Wildlife Program.

- Review, research, and approve or deny Scientific Collection Permit applications and accompanying documents in coordination with relevant Wildlife Program reviewers.
- Receive applications for permits, evaluate impacts to wildlife and compliance with laws, regulations, and policies, facilitate review by subject matter experts, recommend limits on take, apply conditions, and provide the final determination on issuance of permits in a timely manner consistent with policy.
- Communicate with permit applicants to ensure study plans and collection methods are thorough and complete, and agency feedback regarding wildlife impacts is addressed in final study plans and permits.
- Manages and coordinates updates and improvements to the Scientific Collection Permit process and associated systems, including development of permit policy and biological standards.

Coordinate letters of authorization for take of protected wildlife.

- Receives requests for take of protected wildlife species, provides initial review for consistency with relevant laws and regulations, coordinates development of requirements in consultation with internal experts, drafts authorization letters, and coordinates authorization process by relevant agency management.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Most work will be carried out in an office at the Natural Resources Building in Olympia or a home office. Telework is a possibility at no more than 80% per week.
Schedule: Biologist is expected to schedule their time within a part-time 20-hour work week; with hours scheduled Monday through Friday, between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. However, incumbent may be required to adjust schedule and work additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines.
Travel requirements: Periodic off-site meetings; some training and conference attendance will require travel around the state and may include travel outside the state on occasion. May include infrequent overnight travel.
Customer Interactions: Effective information delivery for and negotiation with the public, permittees, project partners, local government officials, and special interest groups (e.g., conservation, agriculture, land use, forestry).

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:
Two (2) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2.
Option 2:
Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, environmental science, or natural resources science (e.g., conservation biology, wildlife ecology, wildlife management).

And

Three (3) years of professional experience in the management or research of wildlife or wildlife habitat. 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.
Option 3:
Seven (7) years of professional experience in the management or research of wildlife or wildlife habitat.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Experience:

- Conducting research and interpreting wildlife policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
- Collecting and summarizing ecological data and information using databases and data collection tools (e.g., ArcGIS, Survey 123, Microsoft Access, SQL server or other database equivalents).
- Interpreting and applying environmental regulations and laws in coordination with multiple subject matter experts and decision-makers, such as in permit review and approval processes.
- Performing in a punctual and dependable manner under time-sensitive conditions.
- Working independently and as a team member.
- Providing clear guidance and instructions to team members for a collaborative project or for consistent implementation of a process.
- Writing formal correspondence and technical documents that adhere to established standards.
- Managing permit processes and associated data.
- Effectively organizing multiple assignments, sometimes of a complex nature or involving competing priorities, to produce work products that are accurate, thorough, and on time.

Knowledge of:

- Environmental regulations and law, and fish and wildlife regulations and law.
- Project management practices.
- Ecology and biology, species distributions, and habitat associations of Washington wildlife.
- Population biology, wildlife habitat and ecological systems associations, conservation biology.
- Wildlife survey, monitoring, and research techniques.
- Wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance.
- Data management, statistical analysis, spatial data analysis, information synthesis and delivery.
- Resource management agencies’ missions, approaches, and means of cooperating/collaborating.
- Conservation planning, endangered species recovery and management, game species management.

Ability to:

- Effectively communicate with internal and external agency representatives, colleagues, and the public verbally and in writing.
- Produce basic GIS products.
- Analyze environmental information to apply solutions, guidelines, and policy to permit decisions.
- Resolve complex disputes.

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 (3) 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.

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 Cheri.Potter@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: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran).
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

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 Cheri.Potter@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-05150.

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