Beaver Management Expert, Olympia, Washington

Job Description

Lynker is expecting the need for a Beaver Management Expert in Washington State. Work may be performed remotely, although attendance will be required at two in-person meetings in Olympia, WA (allowable travel-related costs to be reimbursed). This is contingent on Lynker winning the contract.

The Beaver Management Expert will serve as a neutral, third-party facilitator, providing project management, science, and management synthesis, and bringing technical and decision support to produce ecosystem-based Beaver Management Guidelines report. These guidelines will describe the role of beaver (Castor canadensis) in habitat ecosystem restoration and resilience
and recommend best practices to coexist with and maintain and/or restore beaver on the landscape. This project will be completed by facilitating a conversation with specified personnel in Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), a consultation with tribal partners, and a statewide discussion with external stakeholders to produce guidelines for an approach to beaver and beaver habitat management that accounts for the various opportunities and challenges associated with beaver activity.

Beavers play an important role as ecosystem engineers by providing high-priority habitat to a diversity of fish and wildlife species. At the same time, beaver activities can come into conflict with humans through actions like the unwanted felling of trees, blocking culverts, and causing localized flooding. The goals of the Beaver Management Guidelines shall include protecting and
restoring beaver biodiversity and ecosystems as well as helping foster co-existence between humans and beavers. These realities surrounding beaver can lead to conflicting management goals, strategies, and communication with stakeholders. The desired future for Washington State includes a restored network of resilient habitats that support rich biodiversity and minimize conflict with people. Clearly articulating this goal and providing guidelines for maintaining and restoring beaver on the landscape will help advance this desire.

Duties of the Beaver Management Expert will include the following:

In developing the Beaver Management Guidelines report, the Beaver Management Expert will work with WDFW to facilitate at least two in-person meetings to consult with appropriate local governments, state agencies, federally recognized Indian tribes, and stakeholders with subject
matter expertise on beaver ecology, beaver restoration techniques, techniques to reduce conflict with humans and property, beaver trapping, husbandry techniques, and environmental, land use, and development laws that could support maintaining or restoring beaver on the
landscape.

The Beaver Management Expert will review and synthesize this feedback with current science on beaver ecology and ecosystem-based management and develop a draft report for WDFW's consideration by March 31, 2025, and a final report to WDFW by June 30, 2025. This report will
include the criterion for identifying suitable and appropriate locations in Washington State in which beaver could have desirable ecological benefits, as well as the constraints that could limit beaver, identify opportunities to coordinate and optimize beaver-human coexistence and the restoration of beaver to appropriate places on the landscape, and describe beaver contributions to ecosystem services (e.g., fire suppression, flood control) and habitat provisioning for other species.

The report must provide guidelines on how to maintain and restore beaver at site and watershed scales and include: (i) an overview of current practices pertaining to beaver relocation and a review of human-beaver conflict; (ii) a review of the best available science (Client) related to the role beaver management and beaver-related restoration play in maintaining desired habitat and ecosystem characteristics; and (iii) recommended goals and objectives for desired future beaver presence in different ecosystems throughout the state that would support resilient habitats and rich biodiversity, while minimizing conflicts with people, including criteria for identifying areas suitable for beaver recovery.


Qualifications of the Beaver Management Expert will include the following:

Complete applications should include a cover letter and resume that demonstrate experience with the following:

• Successful project management skills for effective time and resource management;
• Communicating technical information to a non-technical audience;
• Facilitating complex and controversial collaborative processes involving stakeholders with
• diverse backgrounds, perceptions, and values (e.g., policy makers, scientists, GIS experts, public affairs, and the public);
• Building relationships and collaborative processes that result in sustainable and durable solutions;
• Technical writing and report preparation; and
• Availability throughout the duration of the project period: June 10, 2024 to June 30, 2025

Highly Desired Qualifications
Competitive applications will also demonstrate experience with the following:

• Experience working on behalf of local, state and/or federal government agencies, ideally in Washington State or the Pacific Northwest; and
• Familiarity with beaver ecology, conflict, and management.

"We request that you include a Cover Letter with your application. Please either include your cover letter in the same file as your resume, underneath of your resume; OR once you have Applied by Creating/Using an Account with Lynker, you may upload a Cover Letter within your user profile. "

About Lynker

Lynker is a growing, employee owned, small business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.

We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.

Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled and diverse professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:

• Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
• Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
• Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
• Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
• 401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life and accident insurance
• Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
• Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
• Employee Referral Program
• Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
• Personalized career growth plans for every employee

Lynker is an E-Verify employer.

Lynker is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.