Working Title- Assistant Pygmy Rabbit Biologist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 1
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Region 2
Duty Station- *Ephrata, Washington – Grant County
*While this position may offer a telework option, the successful candidate must be available to report to the duty station as needed.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Photo Caption – Pygmy rabbit – Photo Credit: WDFW
In this role, you will assist in the essential tasks on the Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit Recovery Project, one of the largest endangered species reintroduction efforts in Washington State!
In this dynamic role, you will assist in maintaining a semi-wild breeding enclosure program, translocate juvenile rabbits into the wild to establish self-sustaining populations, and conduct field surveys to determine survivorship, abundance, and distribution of free-ranging pygmy rabbits.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position:
Animal capture and translocations.
- Safely capture rabbits within breeding enclosures or in wild populations using traps and nets.
- Handle captured rabbits while collecting biological samples and data.
- Assist in tissue biopsy, pit tagging, and administering medications.
- Translocate rabbits to established release sites in the wild.
- Provide direction to other staff, interns, and volunteers during capture events
Field Surveys.
- Perform intensive transect surveys for pygmy rabbit burrows in cold winter conditions - walking up to 10 miles a day and occasionally using snowshoes, snowmobiles, and tire chains.
- Perform intensive transect surveys for pygmy rabbit burrows in hot summer conditions - walking up to 10 miles a day and occasionally using UTVs.
- Follow established protocols, use GPS device for navigation, collect data on mobile app devices, and collect biological samples at burrow sites.
- Occasionally use drones to survey for pygmy rabbit activity and burrows
- Utilize ARC GIS software and GPS units during survey efforts.
Infrastructure maintenance and animal husbandry.
- Construction and repair of breeding enclosures, acclimation pens, with use of hand tools.
- Setting up fencing materials at field sites involves lifting materials (up to 50 lbs) and carrying them up to 300m in uneven ground and dense vegetation.
- Disease monitoring: regular fecal sample collection, laboratory preparation and microscopy analysis, and data recording following protocols.
- Provides supplemental feed and disease treatment as needed in breeding enclosures.
Data Management.
- Organizes, enters, and edits field data in mobile data apps, spreadsheets, and databases (Excel and Access).
- Enters and manipulates spatial data with use of GPS units and GIS software (ArcGIS, ArcOnline, Survey123 mobile app).
- Summarizes data as needed.
Working Conditions:
Work setting: Mostly outdoor (60% of time) in arid shrubsteppe habitat, with temperature/weather extremes (below freezing/snow in winter to 90+ degrees during summer). Fieldwork includes heavy lifting (up to 50 pounds), walking up to 10 miles a day in rough terrain, and bending/stooping.
Schedule: 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday, regular early morning or late evening hours during summer and occasionally throughout the rest of the year. Weekends on rare occasions.
Travel requirements: Occasionally for trainings, meetings and/or for field work.
Customer Interactions: Regularly interact with project partners, volunteers, students, and occasionally private landowners. A couple times a year, this position will be in the presence of media personnel covering the work being done.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
Option 1:
A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
Option 2:
Equivalent education/experience in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
Option 3:
Four (4) years of experience in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.
For ALL options above:
License: Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:
- At least 2 years of experience in wildlife-related field.
- At least 6 months of wildlife survey or capture/handling experience.
- Experience leading crews in field setting, comfortable in large groups.
- Skilled use of GPS units and GIS software (working knowledge level).
- Able to handle remote field conditions, navigation, and strenuous hiking/snowshoeing.
- Good communication and organizational skills.
- Experience with snowmobiles and UTVs.
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 #2026-07961.
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Listed under Science & Research jobs.