Working Title- Oak Creek Wildlife Area Technician
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 (In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Naches, Washington – Yakima County
In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Natural Resource Technician 3 (NRT3) or Natural Resource Technician 2 (NRT2) level. We will train a new hire at the NRT2 level up to the NRT3 level.
Salary- Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows:
Natural Resource Technician 2 - $3,028.00 - $3,999.00 monthly
Natural Resource Technician 3 - $3,393.00 - $4,517.00 monthly
 
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
  
Are you passionate about sustaining fish and wildlife-related opportunities to Washington citizens through operational excellence and professional service?
 
Embrace this role to be responsible for providing technical support and implementing assigned activities within the Wildlife Area to effectively contribute to the Agency’s goals of providing healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations and habitats.
 
With your experience, you will implement projects to protect, maintain, and improve habitats, species, and recreational opportunities on the Wildlife Area.
 
WHAT TO EXPECT -
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:
 
Plan, coordinate, and implement projects to protect, maintain, and improve habitats, species, and recreational opportunities on the Wildlife Area.

• Implement Wildlife Area projects.
• Restore/enhance/maintain wildlife habitats.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• Conduct agricultural activities such as mowing, disking, seeding, and trimming trees. 
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws ATVs, UTV’s, herbicide sprayers, skid steer loaders, tractors, and excavators.
• Inspects, manage, and maintain access areas and public use resources on the wildlife area to ensure the health and safety of the public, compliance, and the aesthetics of the wildlife area.

Winter Elk Feeding.

• Assist to coordinate hay deliveries, stack hay and distribute hay with mechanized equipment and by hand off of large trucks for wintering elk and bighorn sheep.
• Operate large trucks, skid steer loaders, and tractors in adverse weather conditions.
• Snow removal using vehicle mounted plows, tracked dozers, skid steer loaders, snow blowers, and shovels in adverse weather conditions.
• Maintain and oversee irrigation systems.
• Assist / oversee the implementation of capital improvement projects.
• Maintain roads, culverts, gates, fences, parking lots and other capital improvements. 
• Maintain wildlife area vehicles, equipment, and maintenance records.
• Monitor/assess/ensure safety of Wildlife Area facilities and equipment.

Maintain capital facilities, wildlife area infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment.

• Maintain Wildlife Area buildings.
• Maintain Wildlife Area information kiosks.
• Maintain Wildlife Area signage.
• Maintain and oversee irrigation systems.
• Assist/oversee the implementation of capital improvement projects.
• Maintain roads, culverts, gates, fences, parking lots and other capital improvements. 
• Maintain wildlife area vehicles, equipment, and maintenance records.
• Monitor/assess/ensure safety of Wildlife Area facilities and equipment.

Working Conditions:
Work setting: Primarily field work, which includes exposure to inclement weather, difficult terrain, steep banks, sticky mud, and water. Hazards include tripping/falling and other things consistent with working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting, or while working from boats or around water.
Some work is performed in an office or shop setting.
Must be able to carry up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
Must be able and willing to safely perform tasks around water.
Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
 
Schedule:
March 16 – December 15: 4-10’s, Monday-Thursday, 6:00 am - 4:30 pm.
December 16 – March 15: This position will work 8 hours per day, 5 days in a row. Occasionally asked to work additional hours. The days worked are set from season to season.
 
Travel requirements: Travel up to 15% of time.
 
Customer interactions:  Communicate with the public during field work, via email, telephone, and at public meetings.
 
QUALIFICATIONS:
This Natural Resource Technician 3 (In-Training) series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited experience. 
 
Candidates will be hired as a Natural Resource Technician 2 or Natural Resource Technician 3, dependent on skills and experience.
 
Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2:
High school graduation or GED, and two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2.
 
Or
 
Three (3) years of related professional equivalent experience, including:

• Working on a farm/ranch.
• Conducting agricultural enhancement/farming activities.
• Mechanized equipment such as large trucks and heavy equipment.
• Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.
• As a paid professional in a technical trade such as mechanic, equipment operator, carpenter, electrician, welder, fabricator, or other production-oriented field.

Or
 
Equivalent education/experience. 
 
License:
Valid driver’s license.
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
ATV, UTV certification (agency will provide training).
Maintain First Aid / CPR / AED Training Certification (agency will provide training).
Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 3:
Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, Engineering Aide 1, or higher class performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use, or development.
 
Or
 
Three (3) years of experience as a paid professional in a technical trade such as mechanic, equipment operator, carpenter, electrician, welder, fabricator, or other production-oriented field.
 
Or 
 
A Bachelor’s degree with major study in business management, accounting, real estate, agriculture, aquatic land studies, police sciences or other business, law enforcement, or natural resource studies.
 
Or  
 
An Associate degree in natural resource, law enforcement, or business studies and two (2) years of technical experience in land management.
 
Licenses/Certifications:
Valid driver’s license.
 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• ATV, UTV certification (agency will provide training).
• Maintain First Aid / CPR / AED Training Certification (agency will provide training).
• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Experience in/with:

• Use of agricultural practices and equipment.
• Planning and managing annual agricultural crop establishment.
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species. 

Knowledge of:

• Wildlife agricultural enhancement programs/farming practices.
• Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration.
• Basics of carpentry, mechanical and facility repair. 
• Small, large, and heavy equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Small engine tools such as pumps, chainsaws, and brush cutters. 
• Computer software – Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS). 
• Managing projects. 
• Managing workloads. 
• Safety procedures. 

Ability to: 

• Perform habitat management activities.
• Safely mix and apply pesticides.
• Repair and maintain buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• Follow all safety guidelines and identify hazards while proficiently operating motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e., tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass / brush trimmers, etc.), shop equipment, ATVs, and boats. 
• Perform basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors, agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e., tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass / brush trimmers, etc.), shop equipment, ATVs and boats.
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Oversee volunteers to include working with inmate work crews.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data. Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data. 
• Use GPS, mapping software, computer with Microsoft Office software for collaborating, communications, word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar events.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and orally with agency staff, other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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.Weld@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.weld@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2024-10542.
 
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