Range Ecologist - Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4 - Permanent - 2026-08558

State of Washington; Spokane (WA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Washington's Wildlife Division is seeking a Range Ecologist to lead ecological monitoring, vegetation and habitat surveys, and rangeland management initiatives. The role collaborates with wildlife area managers, regional staff, and partners to advance sustainable land stewardship.

You will work in a hybrid setting with at least one day per week onsite at the designated duty station, and travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Design and implement ecological monitoring, vegetation and habitat surveys, and research investigations for rangeland management.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement monitoring and modeling for rangelands and interpret data statistically.
• Assist managers with grazing permit plans, agricultural leases, and related documents to support habitat protection.

Job description

Title- Range Ecologist

Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 4

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program Duty Station- *Walla Walla, Washington – Walla Walla County

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

*Walla Walla is the current duty station, however depending on the successful candidate, Spokane, Yakima or Ephrata or Ellensburg Washington may be considered.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: George Creek Unit – Photo Credit: WDFW

WDFW manages more than 1.2 million acres of public lands statewide, including rangelands and other non-forested habitats.

In this role, you’ll help steward these lands through habitat monitoring, vegetation management, technical assistance on rangeland management, and the coordination of grazing permits and agricultural leases.

You’ll work independently, taking the initiative to addressing rangeland management challenges and collaborate with Wildlife Area managers, regional staff, and external partners to advance sustainable land management practices that enhance wildlife habitat and support conservation goals across diverse landscapes.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Range Ecologist will,

Design and implement ecological monitoring, resource assessments, vegetation and habitat surveys, and research investigations in support of rangeland management:

• Design and implement modeling and monitoring efforts for rangelands and apply statistical analyses to interpret data.
• Investigate research to guide stewardship of WDFW-managed lands.
• Interpret and apply research and scientific literature to on-the-ground rangeland management.
• Develop or refine and implement ecological integrity monitoring on rangelands.
• Complete resource assessments, vegetation and habitat surveys.

Assist wildlife area managers to complete grazing permit plans and summaries, agricultural lease plans and summaries, and grazing evaluation framework documents:

• Complete grazing evaluation framework to recommend potential implementation and limits of permitted grazing on WDFW-managed lands.
• Evaluate grazing efficacy to meet ecological needs of the wildlife area.
• Provide guidance on development of grazing permits, agricultural leases, and associated documents including management plans and checklists that support habitat protection of rangelands through best management practices.
• Support wildlife area managers and district teams on review and approval of agricultural leases and grazing permits and provide instruction on assessing and reporting grazing utilization.

Provide technical assistance to internal and external partners on rangeland management, incorporating inclusive strategies into wildlife area plans, supporting species of greatest conservation need, implementing rangeland restoration strategies, evaluating grazing and agricultural opportunities and impacts, and conducting habitat monitoring.

• Actively participate in planning and project team meetings, which may be multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency.
• Research science and best practices for planning for and managing rangelands for wildlife (including the State Wildlife Action Plan, Species of Greatest Conservation Need) and ecological integrity.

Provide general education and outreach on range ecology:

• Represent WDFW on rangeland management at public meetings and with other agencies, organizations, coordinated resource management groups, and public stakeholders.
• Provide regular grazing updates to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.
• Communicate range management considerations to other managers and decision-makers.

Supervise range ecology staff:

• Delegate and assign tasks in support of the Range Ecology program in the Lands Stewardship Section.
• Manage the Range Ecology budget.
• Ensure compliance with safety and training requirements.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards:

• Position is a mix of working on-site in an office setting with other staff and fieldwork. May offer a hybrid work arrangement.
• Fieldwork may include inclement weather and difficult terrain and working in areas with possible wildlife encounters.
• Walk, stoop, and perform tasks while wearing up to 40 pounds of field equipment.
• Drive and operate equipment such as 4-wheel drive vehicles on unpaved roads and tracks, ATV/UTV’s or other equipment as necessary.
• Attend, support, and represent the agency in a variety of public settings, including interactions with the public, occasionally in controversial settings

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. Schedule may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions, such as a non-scheduled work week and evening or weekend work as needed.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule, with at least one day per week onsite at the designated duty station and up to four days of telework. The selected candidate must be available to work onsite for in-person meetings and to meet business needs.

Travel Requirements:

Travel anticipated ~20% of the time. Travel for monitoring and other field components is required. Travel is typically done through Eastern, WA, however may vary