Rare Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $5,928.00 - $7,973.00 Monthly
Location : Thurston County - Olympia, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-05360
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 7/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Title- Invertebrate Species Lead
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 4
Job Status- Full-Time/PermanentWDFW Program- Wildlife Program - Wildlife Diversity DivisionDuty Station- Olympia, Washington - Thurston CountyHybrid/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.
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
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-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Invertebrate Species Lead will,
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:
Four (4) years of professional experience as a Fish & Wildlife Biologist 3 predominantly working with terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates.
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:
Valid Driver's License.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all of the following:
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
In addition to and other , there are other 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:
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 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 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
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 .
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to and reference job #2026-05360.
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More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision