Title- Private Lands Technician
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 *(In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent 
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Land Services Division 
Duty Station- Clarkston, Washington – Asotin County

*We are recruiting to hire at the Natural Resource Technician 2 or 3 level. We will train a new hire at level 2 up to the Natural Resource Technician 3 level.

Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary 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!

In this dynamic role, you will provide technical support and foster positive relationships with private landowners to ensure effective wildlife management practices.

Collaborate with the Wildlife Conflict Specialist to mitigate wildlife-related agricultural damage in Asotin and Garfield counties. 

You will also assist with the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) pre-detection surveillance program in high-risk areas of Eastern Washington, with a particular focus on white-tailed deer sampling. 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Private Lands Technician will, 

Assist the District 3 Wildlife Conflict Specialist(s) in preventing, reducing and/or controlling ungulate damage to commercial crops and farming infrastructure in Asotin and Garfield Counties:

• Employ wildlife damage management practices to mitigate human/wildlife conflicts as assigned. Actions include, but are not limited to fencing, hazing, herding, installing signs, applying deterrents and repellants, deploying sound emitting devices, bio-deterrents, and monitoring trail cameras. 
• Assist with the preparation, tracking, data entry and coordination of landowner damage prevention agreements and landowner permits.
• Use firearms to haze, remove, harvest, or euthanize elk and other wildlife. Independently or as a team member conduct lethal control operations if required.  

Collect, organize, manage and ship biological samples:

• Work collaboratively with WDFW staff to collect CWD samples at hunter check-stations, from taxidermists and meat processors, at drop-off locations with sample collection receptacles, and opportunistically from road-killed deer. 
• Collect medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes and obex using knives, scalpels, forceps, and other appropriate biological sampling tools. 
• Manage biological samples including proper organization, storage, and shipment to approved labs. 
• Organize and enter data in a timely manner using ArcGIS Survey123 and associated web-based platforms, i.e. ArcGIS WebMaps

Assist the District 3 Private Lands Biologist(s) with maintaining hunter access on private lands:

• Post hunting access signs throughout District 3 using pickup trucks, ATV’s, t-posts, drill motors, and post pounders to clearly mark private lands enrolled in WDFW access programs. 
• Distribute and collect Register to Hunt and Hunting Only by Written Permission slips.

Assist the District 3 Private Lands Biologist(s) with the implementation or maintenance of habitat improvement projects:

• Under the direction of the Private Lands Biologist, apply appropriate weed suppression efforts using a tractor, ATV, and mower to control spread of noxious weeds within habitat plots on private lands. 
• Assist with planting grass, forbs, shrubs and/or trees on private lands using a tractor, no-till drill, ATV, hand tools, power augers, and/or broadcast seeder. 

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• This is primarily a field position with up to 90% of the workweek spent outdoors or in a shop type setting. The other 10% of the work week is spent in the office or laboratory setting.
• Work long hours in potentially inclement weather conditions along busy state highways, walk streams through thick vegetation, climb over and around log jams and wood debris, and walk on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces, while also carrying up to 50lbs of field gear on a weekly basis.
• At times will carry a heavy pack (less than 40 pounds) and haul rebar. The incumbent may also be required to use backpack sprayers or ATV sprayers to apply herbicides under direct supervision and implicit instructions.
• Safely handle contaminated sharps (knives, scalpel blades, needles) and other medical waste.
• Test all cervids and handle sick or injured wildlife.
• Work may include interactions with dangerous wildlife, pyrotechnics, firearms, and propane canons. Outdoor work settings include private land that may be in active crop production. Some remote areas are also known rattlesnake habitats.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. May include evenings and weekends.

Travel Requirements: Vehicle travel up to 250 miles per day to post private properties with WDFW signs. Must be willing to travel across Washington State as needed to collect CWD samples with potential overnight accommodations.  Occasional overnight travel may be required for training, group project work and meetings.

Tools and Equipment: Tractor, ATV, no-till drills, broadcast seeders, mowers, trailers, chainsaw, sprayer, laptop computer, hand tools, sampling tools, fencing related tools/supplies/materials, mobile communication devices, field glasses, pyrotechnics, firearms, paintball guns, other hazing devices, global positioning systems (GPS), motion activated cameras, digital camera, binoculars/spotting scopes, 4x4 trucks (small/large), and trailers

Customer Interactions: Frequent interactions with the public and hunters.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

This 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, depending on skills and experience.

Advancement from Natural Resource Technician 2 to Natural Resource Technician 3 requires successful completion of the In-Training Plan, which will be provided upon hiring.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2: 

Option 1: High school graduation or GED AND two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2. 

Option 2: Two (2) years of related professional equivalent experience, including: 

• Working on a farm/ranch
• Conducting agricultural enhancement / farming activities
• Operating heavy equipment
• Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities
• General repairer

Option 3: Equivalent Education/Experience

Please Note: College coursework involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, wildlife, chemistry, natural sciences, or a closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience.

In addition to the options above, the following experience is required: 

• Recording data accurately and legibly. 
• Visually discriminating when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features. 
• Effectively and safely operating standard highway vehicles, ATV’s and trailers. 
• Safely using hand and power tools, including chainsaws. 
• Using GPS, computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar clients.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Nationally Accredited Basic First Aid Certification (agency provided).
• Ability to legally possess firearms, pass a background check and qualify with department-issued firearms.
• This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 3 (Goal Class): 

Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, Engineering Aide 1, Administrative Assistant 1 or higher class performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use, transaction lease, or development.

Option 2: Three (3) years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent.

• Examples of a “general repairer” are working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming activities, operating heavy equipment or conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.

Option 3: Bachelor’s degree with major study in wildlife, agriculture, or other natural resource studies.

Option 4: An Associate degree in natural resources AND two (2) years of technical experience in wildlife, land management, or other natural resource field. 

Please Note: College coursework involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, wildlife, chemistry, natural sciences, or a closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience.

In addition to the options above, the following experience is required: 

• Recording data accurately and legibly. 
• Visually discriminating when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features. 
• Effectively and safely operating standard highway vehicles, ATV’s and trailers. 
• Safely using hand and power tools, including chainsaws. 
• Using GPS, computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar clients.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Nationally Accredited Basic First Aid Certification (agency provided).
• Ability to legally possess firearms, pass a background check and qualify with department-issued firearms.
• This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position.

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

• Completed college level coursework in the field of fish, wildlife, habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or natural resource science leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree.
• Successfully passed a Hunter’s Safety Course
• Experience working with volunteers and elementary school science classes
• Knowledge of vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Working knowledge: 

• Of the various Private Lands Access Programs (Feel Free to Hunt, Hunt by Reservation, etc.).
• Weed management techniques.
• Heavy equipment and farm implements.

License: 

• Current Pesticide License within Washington State

Your application should 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 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-00576.

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