Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility Biologist

Position Description

Check out what the team is up to, and what they have to offer!

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/cd418c7ce7d846618cf14d09da16ad50

The Tacoma Power Generation Natural Resources Team is hiring! We are currently seeking a Facility Biologist to join our team!

If you are a fisheries biologist looking to contribute towards the recovery of local salmon populations, we want to hear from you! Our team is looking for the next Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility Biologist to help operate our state-of-the-art fish collector!

Escape the noise. Embrace the outdoors. Build a life that feels like a getaway. Located at the Cowlitz Falls Dam, just outside Randle, Washington, this role places you in one of the most scenic and ecologically significant river systems. Surrounded by the lush landscapes of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and just a short drive from Mount Rainier National Park, this is more than a job - it’s daily immersion in the ecosystems you’re working to protect.

The location offers a rare balance: meaningful, hands-on conservation work paired with a safe, welcoming community and room to grow. Nearby Packwood provides local shops and family friendly events while the Cowlitz River becomes your backyard oasis- perfect for professional passion and weekend exploration.

This position will lead field crews in day-to-day fish collection and data management. The Facility Biologist will participate in data analysis, report preparation, contract management, and adaptive management discussions with regional agencies. The incumbent will play an integral role in facilitating fish passage studies that further our programmatic objectives. Collection and transmission of high quality, transparent data is paramount to achieving License goals for the benefit of the resource and maximizing budgetary funds.

This position supports all operating hours through remote monitoring and rotating 24-hour response. Required response time radius is up to 30 minutes.

Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility Biologist Responsibilities Include:

• Operate the Cowlitz Falls North Shore Collector and Spillway Flume Collection System
• Lead field crews in daily smolt and adult fish sampling activities associated with the Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility and North Shore Downstream Fish Collector
• Manage fish collection data and associated datasets
• Generate routine updates and annual reports
• Coordinate contractor, local utility and staff scheduling
• Collaborate effectively with Project biologists and Facilities Managers to implement study plans and other programmatic directives
• Mark and tag juvenile salmonids
• Assist in field studies and data collection within the Cowlitz Basin
• Oversee and perform routine facility maintenance
• Coordinate with maintenance personnel
• Transport juvenile and adult salmon throughout the Cowlitz Basin
• Participate in debris removal activities
• Lead a small aquaculture program
• Support other program implementation activities as needed
• Perform on-call duty (standby) rotation with 30-minute required response time

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management, archeology or other scientific field related to assignment

Minimum Experience*
2 years of professional level experience in environmental programs

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements
First Aid and CPR certification within the first 6 months of employment
Washington State Driver's License

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of fish passage in the Pacific Northwest
• Salmon identification and life history strategies
• Familiarity with fish tagging methods
• Familiarity with standard fish hatchery techniques
• Ability to learn/troubleshoot complex fish facility systems
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex data
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Mechanical aptitude
• MS Office suite
• Ability to operate gas powered chainsaw (or desire to learn)

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

Typically require:

• Remaining in a stationary position for 90% of the time while standing and twisting to mark, tag, and sample fish, with occasional movement to access office files, machinery and similar productivity tools (standing, sitting, walking).
• Frequent operation of a computer, as well as use of a calculator, printer and similar office tools (fingering, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions).
• Communication and the exchange of information with others (hearing, seeing, talking).
• Regularly exerting up to 15 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (buckets of water, netting fish, operating chainsaw, etc).
• Movement around the work place to pick up objects (stooping, walking, reaching).
• Traversing, ascending or descending stairs, sloped terrain, or similar environments (climbing, balancing, walking).

Occasionally require:

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force to move, transport or position objects (fish feed bags, woody debris within the collector, pond screens).
• Operation of chainsaws or other cutting equipment for debris removal

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Annual Salary: $98,280.00 - $138,320.00

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

City of Tacoma’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A Commitment to Equity & Diversity
At the City of Tacoma, we're on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.
Application Process
Interested individuals should apply online by completing the application and attaching a resume and cover letter by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Applications received without attaching the required materials may not progress in the selection process. Applicants who have the strongest backgrounds related to the responsibilities of this position may be invited to participate in the interview process, which may include a work problem. Appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from Tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 4/15/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

Show more