Eastern Washington Fish Science Manager

American Fisheries Society (UK); Wenatchee (WA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks an Eastern Washington Fish Science Manager to provide strategic leadership for research, monitoring, and evaluation across Regions 1–3. The role focuses on salmon and steelhead conservation, requires a strong science foundation, and interfaces with policy staff, Tribes, and partners.

You will supervise the Hatchery-Wild Interactions and Salmon Recovery Science units, overseeing roughly 90 staff, and negotiate funding for science-driven

Qualifications

• Master's degree in fisheries science, biology or zoology is required.
• Eight years of professional experience designing and conducting multidisciplinary fish-related research studies.
• Six peer‑reviewed articles with at least four as senior author (and two as senior/secondary author).

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for research, monitoring, and evaluation activities across the Columbia and Snake River basins.
• Ensure science priorities align with conservation, management, and mitigation needs and are communicated clearly to decision-makers.
• Lead Hatchery-Wild Interactions and Salmon Recovery Science units and supervise ~90 staff within the Fish Science Division.
• Negotiate contracts and secure funding to support conservation, fisheries management, and recovery.
• Oversee field and administrative duties, including collaboration with Tribes and external partners.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Policy liaison

Education

Master's degree in fisheries science, biology or zoology

PhD in fisheries science, biology or zoology (preferred)

Job description

Title – Eastern Washington Fish Science ManagerClassification -WMS Band 2Job Status -Full-Time/PermanentWDFW Program –Fish Program – Science DivisionDuty Station – Wenatchee, Washington (Chelan County) is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, other duty stations within Eastern Washington may be considered.Remote Employment – This position may include telework options up to two days per week, at the discretion of the supervisor.Posting Timeframe - This recruitment is scheduled to be posted until October 13, 2026. First review of applications will take place September 15, 2026. Application review is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible. Following the first review date, this recruitment may be closed at any time.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As our Eastern Washington Fish Science Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for research, monitoring, and evaluation activities that inform critical conservation, management, and mitigation decisions in the Columbia and Snake River basins.

You will ensure WDFW’s science is focused on key conservation, management, and mitigation needs, communicated in a transparent and accessible manner to decision-makers, and meets a high standard of scientific rigor.

This is an opportunity to serve as WDFW’s technical expert on salmon recovery, hydropower mitigation, and adaptive hatchery management in Eastern Washington. Working across disciplines and with policy staff, Tribes, agencies, and other partners, you will help shape science priorities and translate complex research into actionable information for fish management.

Through your leadership of the Hatchery-Wild Interactions and Salmon Recovery Science units, you will guide work that supports healthy and sustainable salmon and steelhead populations throughout the Columbia and Snake River basins.

What to Expect -

As our Eastern Washington Fish Science Manager, you will provide strategic direction for monitoring, research, and evaluation activities supporting salmon and steelhead management and recovery across Regions 1, 2, and 3. Key responsibilities include:

Scientific Leadership:

• Provide leadership, vision, and direction for science activities in Eastern Washington, ensuring that science activities are focused on high-priority topics with strong management and policy implications.
• Develop a forward-looking Eastern Washington science program encompassing an all-H (Habitat, Harvest, Hatcheries, Hydropower) management framework.

Science-Policy Interface:

• Serve as WDFW technical representative on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) related committees and workgroups designed to evaluate and adaptively manage the direct and indirect effects of hydropower development and operations on fish populations.
• Serve as point person on the development and implementation of scientifically robust monitoring and evaluation programs and other science needs in Eastern Washington associated with implementation of WDFW Anadromous Salmon and Steelhead Hatchery Policy, Hatchery Management Plans, and Hatchery Genetic Management Plans.
• Provide a clear and defensible scientific foundation for FERC mitigation decisions, and summarize, interpret, and communicate science needed to meet FERC mitigation requirements.
• Summarize, interpret, and communicate science to be used in ongoing litigation over Endangered Species Act Biological Opinions for federal dams in the Columbia River.

Supervision:

• Supervise the Hatchery-Wild Interactions (HWI) Unit Leader and Salmon Recovery Science (SRS) Unit Leader and oversee approximately 90 staff within the Fish Science Division.
  • The HWI Unit consists of five (5) research teams in Eastern Washington with a primary responsibility for monitoring and evaluation of all WDFW salmon and steelhead hatchery programs in Eastern Washington.
  • The SRS Unit consists of two (2) research teams in Eastern Washington. The SRS Unit has primary responsibility for the foundational monitoring and evaluation of WDFW fisheries, population status and trends of salmon, steelhead, and bull trout in Eastern Washington.

Administration:

• Negotiate and secure contracts, agreements, and programmatic funding to support science needs for conservation, fisheries management, and recovery.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Majority of work is performed in an office setting (90%) with some field work. Field work includes smolt and adult fish trapping operations, Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) Tag operations, working at hatchery facilities, and conducting stream surveys.

Hazards include navigating uneven and slippery terrain, slips, and trips.

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 40 hours per week with some flexibility.

Travel Requirements:

Frequent travel is required within and outside Washington State.

Customer Relations:

Regular interactions with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies as well as Public Utility Districts (PUDs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and regional recovery organizations.

Qualifications:

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

Required Qualifications:

A Master's degree in fisheries science, biology or zoology or a closely allied field.

AND all of the following:

• Eight (8) years of professional experience designing and conducting multidisciplinary fish-related research studies.
• Demonstrated professional experience supervising, leading, and coaching employees, including performance management.
• Six (6) articles published in peer-reviewed literature, including:
  • Four (4) articles for which you are the senior author.
  • Two (2) additional articles for which you are the senior or secondary author.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid unrestricted Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in fisheries science, biology or zoology or closely allied field.
• Experience with analytical tools and statistical modeling used in the management of salmon and steelhead populations, including abundance estimation, life cycle models, and management strategy evaluation.
• Knowledge of Columbia Basin fish populations, hydropower operations and mitigation agreements, and recreational and commercial fisheries.
• Ability to work directly with tribal co-managers in the Columbia Basin on various topics including monitoring and evaluation, population status and trend, hydropower impacts, predation, and climate change issues.

Your application should 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

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 [e-mail].
• 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

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 [phone] or email [e-mail], 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 [phone] or [e-mail].

Other questions:

If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job #2026-07260.