Hydropower Mitigation Specialist - Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4 - 2 Positions - Perm - 2026-08498

State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife; Washington; Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a Hydropower Mitigation Specialist to lead licensing and habitat mitigation efforts for hydropower projects. You will coordinate with tribes, utilities, and agencies, compiling comments and ensuring compliance with NEPA/SEPA timelines.

The role focuses on protecting aquatic resources, evaluating dam impacts, and guiding mitigation strategies across multiple projects with a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Nine (9) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
• Four (4) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
• Experience with Federal and state laws related to endangered species and hydropower operations.
• Knowledge of stream/river hydraulics and habitats supporting anadromous fish.
• Ability to interpret and present biological data and mitigation measures.
• Bachelor’s or advanced degree as alternative career pathways are described in the qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as project lead in FERC hydropower licensing processes.
• Research and assess hydro project impacts on fish, wildlife, and habitat.
• Draft, review, and submit comments for projects.
• Coordinate with tribes, NGOs, utilities, and agencies on protections.
• Track licenses and ensure SEPA/NEPA/EIS timelines.
• Provide technical expertise on fish, wildlife, and habitat in licensing contexts.

Skills

Hydropower licensing

FERC coordination

Wildlife habitat assessment

Interagency collaboration

Technical report writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science

Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science

Ph.D. in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science

Job description

Working Title- Hydropower Mitigation Specialist

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4

Number of Vacancies- Two (2) Positions

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFWProgram- Habitat Program – Energy

*Duty Station

• One (1) position is located in Olympia, WA – Thurston County.
• One (1) position is located in Ephrata, WA – Grant County.

*Hybrid/Telework- This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with at least 1 day per week onsite at the assigned duty station and up to 4 days of telework. The selected candidate must be available to work onsite for in-person meetings and to meet business needs.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption – Bonneville Dam – Photo Credit: WDFW

Ensure responsible licensing, implementation, operation, and mitigation of hydropower dams.

Prepare and coordinate WDFW’s involvement in evaluating hydroelectric dams and their impact on habitat.

With sustainability and conservation in mind, these positions support a coordinated and strategic approach for the negotiation of fish and wildlife protection, mitigation, and enhancements.

You are excited to support the agency’s mission by protecting, restoring, and guiding management of habitat as it applies to the ecological integrity of critical habitat and ecological systems.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

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

Serve as the project lead and actively participate in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) hydropower licensing processes.

• Research and assess hydropower project impacts to fish, wildlife, and their habitat.
• Serve as agency lead on assigned projects, evaluate techniques and mitigation needs to offer solutions to preserve, protect, perpetuate, or enhance the resource.
• Draft, solicit, review, and submit written comments for assigned projects.
• identify priority resource goals and objectives for developing measures for the protection, mitigation, and enhancement of affected resources.
• Timely submit WDFW comments to the FERC on licensing projects.
• Provide WDFW comments to meet SEPA/NEPA/EIS timelines.
• Participate in and represent WDFW in FERC, utility, and other workgroup meetings, committees, and forums.
• Draft, solicit, review, and submit written comments with each project’s associated technical work groups.
• Interpret and analyze technical documents and issues and review for adequacy.

Coordinate, track, and provide biological and technical expertise on projects impacting fish, wildlife, and habitat associated with the implementation of the terms and conditions of federal hydropower licenses.

• Coordinate with and serve as the point-of-contact for working groups and WDFW staff and management to ensure appropriate fish, wildlife, and habitat protections and mitigation measures and to meet requirements of licenses and agreements. This will include coordinating with internal subject matter and technical experts to ensure the WDFW team has the appropriate expertise to engage on the varied subjects covered by licenses and agreements.
• Collaborate with tribes and environmental groups, utilities, and governmental agencies.
• Provide analysis and expertise, as requested, on projects related to fish, wildlife, and habitat.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Office/home office setting that includes out-of-office meetings and occasional field visits. Visits to hydropower facilities may include industrial conditions with loud noises and require hardhats, ear protection, and eye protection. Common hazards include slips, trips, and falls. Field work may include hazards such as heat exposure, cold weather conditions, and uneven terrain. Office hazards include working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data into computer, looking at computer monitor for long periods of time, sitting or standing for long periods of time.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Alternative schedules may be considered based on business needs.

Travel requirements: Travel occurs up to 15% of the time.

Customer Interactions: This position will interact with hydropower project proponents, tribal and non-governmental Organization (NGO) staff, other state and federal agency staff, and others.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Nine (9) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.

And ALL of the following:

• Four (4) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
• Experience in/with the following:
  • Federal and state laws related to endangered species, hydropower operations and permitting; and stream/river hydraulics and habitats (including those supporting anadromous fish).
  • Lake and stream management; principles and procedures of wildlife, fish and habitat management and biological research.
  • Methods of biological fish, wildlife, or habitat data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

Option 2:

An Associate’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And ALL of the following:

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
• Experience in/with the following:
  • Federal and state laws related to endangered species, hydropower operations and permitting; and stream/river hydraulics and habitats (including those supporting anadromous fish).
  • Lake and stream management; principles and procedures of wildlife, fish and habitat management and biological research.
  • Methods of biological fish, wildlife, or habitat data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

Option 3:

Four (4) years as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3.

Option 4:

A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And ALL of the following:

• Five (5) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
• Experience in/with the following:
  • Federal and state laws related to endangered species, hydropower operations and permitting; and stream/river hydraulics and habitats (including those supporting anadromous fish).
  • Lake and stream management; principles and procedures of wildlife, fish and habitat management and biological research.
  • Methods of biological fish, wildlife, or habitat data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

Option 5:

A Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And ALL of the following:

• Four (4) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research.
• Experience in/with the following:
  • Federal and state laws related to endangered species, hydropower operations and permitting; and stream/river hydraulics and habitats (including those supporting anadromous fish).
  • Lake and stream management; principles and procedures of wildlife, fish and habitat management and biological research.
  • Methods of biological fish, wildlife, or habitat data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

Option 6:

A Ph.D. in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

And ALL of the following:

• Three (3) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
• Experience in/with the following:
  • Federal and state laws related to endangered species, hydropower operations and permitting; and stream/river hydraulics and habitats (including those supporting anadromous fish).
  • Lake and stream management; principles and procedures of wildlife, fish and habitat management and biological research.
  • Methods of biological fish, wildlife, or habitat data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation.

License: Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• A Master’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science, AND five (5) years of professional experience in fish, wildlife, or habitat management or research, wildlife management or wildlife research, or habitat management or habitat research.
• Experience negotiating for environmental outcomes.
• Experience evaluating the impacts of dams on fishery resources.
• Ability to identify and articulate problem statements associated with hydropower operations or the implementation of terms and conditions/mitigation.
• Knowledge and understanding of recent scientific advances in evaluating direct and indirect impacts of dams on aquatic resources.
• Demonstrated project management and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated written and oral presentation skills.
• Ability to develop and defend natural resource policy positions using both biological and legal frameworks.

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.
• Important note: Writing samples will be requested from applicants who are selected for an interview.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

In addition to pay and 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 [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: 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 [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 #2026-08498.

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