Title- Wildlife Area Technician
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 *(in-training)
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- 312 Mt. Vale Rd. Selah, WA – March 16-December 15
    16601 Hwy. 12 Naches, WA – December 16-March 15

*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!

The Natural Resource Technician 3, under the direction of the Wildlife Area Manager and Assistant Manager, supports the management and maintenance of a Wildlife Area to enhance fish and wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities. This role involves implementing habitat improvement projects, maintaining facilities and infrastructure, inspecting public access areas for safety and aesthetics, conducting vegetation management, and assisting in project development. The position plays a key role in ensuring the health and sustainability of wildlife areas while providing professional service to the public.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Wildlife Area Technician 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, 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:

• Conducts supplemental feeding activities for wintering wildlife on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.
• 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.
• Assist to coordinate hay deliveries, stack hay and distribute hay with mechanized equipment and by hand off of large trucks for wintering elk. 

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, including hazards: Primarily field work, which includes exposure to inclement weather including extreme heat or snow, difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks and 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. Work requires employee to walk, lift, bend, and stoop – sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment. Must be able to safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions. Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, ATVs, UTVs, and must be able to load and transport heavy equipment. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Four ten-hour shifts. Monday-Thursday, 6:00am-4:30pm from March 16 to December 15; 24/7, Sunday-Saturday, from December 16 to March 15. At times work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments. Willing to be punctual and perform in a dependable manner.

Travel: Available for non-scheduled workweek and travel up to 15% of time.

Tools and Equipment: Standard field tools such as shovels, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, farm machinery, backhoes, excavators, dozers, ATV’s, trucks, trailers, boats,. motor vehicles and 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 UTVs. This position will use GPS, mapping software, and a computer with Microsoft Office software.

Customer interaction: Communicate with the public during field work, via email, telephone, and at public meetings.

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.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver’s License. 

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.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver’s License. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Within 6 months of employment, the incumbent must receive the following trainings/certifications:

• 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

Note: This position does not currently require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). However, if CDL duties become necessary, the agency will provide training and certification. In compliance with the 1991 Federal Omnibus Transportation Testing Act, employees will be subject to controlled substance and alcohol testing. CDL eligibility must be maintained throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Experience in the use of agricultural practices and equipment.
• Experience planning and managing annual agricultural crop establishment.
• Experience in 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.
• Critical thinking and the ability to make decisions based on the best available information.

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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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