Wildlife Biologist Jobs in Washington
Wildlife Biologist jobs in Washington concentrate in state and federal land management, fisheries science, and environmental consulting, making it one of the more active markets in the country for field and research-oriented biologists at every level from entry to senior. The largest concentrations of openings are in Olympia, Seattle, and Spokane, where employers such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ecology and Environment have sustained hiring needs. The most in-demand specialties are salmonid and aquatic ecology, wetlands assessment, and wildlife habitat monitoring tied to forestry and hydropower operations. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Description
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Wildlife Diversity Division
Duty Station- Olympia, Washington – Thurston County
Hybrid/Telework- A flexible hybrid schedule may be considered at the discretion of the hiring manager. However, the successful candidate must be available to report to the Olympia, WA duty station as needed.
Photo Caption: Beller’s ground beetle – Photo Credit: WDFW
Join the team as a statewide expert on the conservation, management, and recovery of rare and listed Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), with a strong emphasis on terrestrial and freshwater invertebrate SGCN and their habitats, particularly gastropods, dragonflies, streamflies, and beetles.
As a WDFW technical advisor, this position will interpret and apply best available science, formulate recommendations, and produce strategic plans to guide conservation actions and policy.
With your knowledge and expertise in native Washington Species of Greatest Conservation Need, you will work directly with various organizations, agencies, and conservation groups to provide technical guidance and facilitate on-the-ground conservation and recovery activities.
Photo Caption: Pacific sideband – Photo Credit: Xerces Society
What to Expect-
Conduct Statewide Conservation and Recovery for Terrestrial and Freshwater Invertebrates:
- Serve as the Wildlife Diversity Division point of contact for nongame species, particularly for gastropods, beetles, streamflies, dragonflies, and possibly other invertebrates.
- Provide coordination within the Department and with external partners including state, federal, non-government, and other entities.
- Support developing Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) survey and monitoring protocols to assess status and trends
- Coordinate, guide, and engage in conservation working groups.
- Facilitate on-the-ground conservation and recovery actions, with an emphasis on invertebrates.
- Develop near-term action plans; prioritize, communicate, and track implementation.
Produce and Curate Foundational Agency Documents in Agency Systems:
- Status assessments, including status reports, periodic status reviews, and candidate assessments.
- Recovery plans for state threatened and endangered species.
- Conservation strategies for sensitive species.
- Conservation, management, and action plans.
- Reintroduction feasibility documents and plans, as appropriate.
Provide Technical Guidance:
- Maintain familiarity with data, products, and information for the assigned SGCN species, habitats, and systems.
- Support data and informational stewardship in institutional systems.
- Champion and disseminate best available science as an active and collaborative information conduit.
- Provide technical expertise for policy and management decisions.
Working Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards: Work is primarily performed in a fast-paced office environment with changing priorities and conflicting deadlines.
Periodic field work will be performed outdoors during species- and habitat-specific field seasons to conduct surveys and related tasks. Navigate on foot in remote environments and over rough terrain for long periods of time (8 to 12 hours per day, for several days in a row) in highly variable weather conditions. Move, carry, or unload equipment, such as a kayak or sampling tools, occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds.
This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.
Schedule: Expected to schedule time within a standard 40-hour work week, typically Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. May be required to adjust schedule and additional hours as needed to meet business demands and deadlines.
Travel Requirements: Periodical statewide or regional travel and occasional attendance at evening meetings is required. Extended travel or overnight travel may occur.
Tools and Equipment: Standard office equipment, field equipment, personal protective equipment, survey and telemetry equipment, vehicles, computers, tablets, digital cameras, aquatic sampling equipment, and GPS locators.
Customer Interactions: Communicate directly with the public, project partners, local government officials, and special interest groups to deliver information and for negotiations.
Photo Caption: White-belted ringtail dragonfly – Photo Credit: Jef Blake
Qualifications:
Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
Required Qualifications:
Option 1, all of the following:
Experience may be gained concurrently.
- A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, habitat management, conservation biology, zoology, wildlife ecology, natural resources science, or a related field.
- Five (5) years of professional experience in wildlife management/research, wildlife habitat management/research, or other natural resources science, with an emphasis in invertebrate species expertise.
-
Two (2) years of demonstrated knowledge of and professional experience with:
- Ecology and biology of terrestrial and freshwater invertebrate species.
- Wildlife survey, monitoring, and research techniques.
- Conservation planning, including recovery of at-risk species.
Option 2:
Please note:
- A Master’s degree in the applicable field of study may substitute for one (1) year of the required professional experience in wildlife management/research, wildlife habitat management/research, or other natural resources science related to species expertise.
- A PhD. in the applicable field of study may substitute for two (2) years of the required professional experience in wildlife management/research, wildlife habitat management/research, or other natural resources science related to species expertise.
Certifications/Licenses:
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience:
- Safely operating motor vehicles.
- Managing grants, contracts, and projects.
- 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:
- Ecology and biology, species distributions, and habitat associations of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrate species of Washington, particularly gastropods, beetles, dragonflies, and streamflies.
- Population biology, wildlife habitat and ecological systems associations, and conservation biology.
- Wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance.
- Grant, contract, and project management.
- Data management, statistical analysis, spatial data analysis, and information synthesis and delivery.
- Resource management Agencies’ missions, approaches, and means of cooperating/collaborating.
- Conservation planning, and endangered species recovery and management.
Ability to:
- Identify and prioritize key research needs for invertebrate Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and Species of Greatest Information Need (SGIN) conservation and recovery.
- Conduct effective oral presentations at scientific conferences, agency meetings, and public meetings.
- Write, edit, and publish professional documents and reports.
- Lead and coordinate efforts of scientific expert teams in research and planning projects.
- Produce basic GIS products.
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
Important Note:
Union - WAFWP:
Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:
- 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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
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 #2026-05360.
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Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Wildlife Biologist Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring

What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in wildlife biologist jobs across Washington.
- Active Washington Wildlife Agent license or eligibility for state credentialing as required
- Bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, ecology, zoology, or a closely related field
- Field experience with wildlife surveys, population monitoring, or habitat assessment methods
- Proficiency in ArcGIS or equivalent GIS software for spatial data analysis
- Valid Washington driver's license and willingness to work in remote outdoor conditions
- Familiarity with federal and Washington state environmental regulations including ESA compliance
Wildlife Biologist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a wildlife biologist in Washington?
You become a wildlife biologist in Washington by earning at least a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, ecology, or a related natural science, then meeting any credential requirements for your specific employer. State agency positions with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife require applicants to meet civil service qualifications, and roles involving trapping or hunting enforcement may require a Washington Wildlife Agent license issued through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Graduate degrees strengthen candidacy for research and senior positions.
Which companies hire wildlife biologists in Washington?
Employers hiring wildlife biologists in Washington right now include State of Washington, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Washington's combination of federal public lands, tribal natural resource departments, and active environmental consulting firms sustains consistent demand beyond just state agency hiring.
Which Washington cities have the most wildlife biologist jobs?
The cities with the most wildlife biologist openings in Washington are Olympia, Lewis County, and Ellensburg. Olympia anchors state agency hiring through Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife headquarters, Seattle draws environmental consulting and federal regional offices, and Spokane serves as the eastern Washington hub for land management agencies operating across the Cascades and Columbia Plateau.
Are there remote wildlife biologist jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of wildlife biologist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the hands-on, field-intensive nature of most positions. The roles most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are data analysis, GIS mapping, technical report writing, and grant administration positions that don't require regular on-site fieldwork.
How can I get hired as a wildlife biologist in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a seasonal or temporary field technician position with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife or a U.S. Forest Service ranger district, both of which post entry-level seasonal roles that do not require prior professional experience. AmeriCorps programs placed with conservation districts across Washington also hire without experience. Building a portfolio of volunteer survey work with local land trusts or tribal natural resource departments and obtaining your Washington driver's license and Wilderness First Aid certification will strengthen applications considerably.
Where can I find and apply to wildlife biologist jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to wildlife biologist jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to the state. Search the listings, identify the roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.
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