Working Title- Wildlife Area Technician
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal
Appointment/Season Length- 7 Months – April 16 – November 15
WDFW Program- Lands Program – Region 2
Duty Station- Wenatchee, Washington – Chelan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Embrace this role to be a part of the protection and enhancement of shrubsteppe, forest, and riparian habitats, and management of recreational use.

With sustainability and conservation in mind, you will provide field support on the Chelan Wildlife Area located in Chelan and Okanogan Counties.

With your experience, you will maintain the facility and structures, uses and maintains equipment, and recommends and implements projects that will maintain or improve habitats, species, or recreation on the wildlife area.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, this position will:

Establish and maintain wildlife habitat enhancement projects.

• Plant, mow, and prune herbaceous cover and riparian zones to improve habitat conditions. Assess field and vegetation conditions to determine the timing of herbicide applications, mowing, seeding, and pruning to achieve desired habitat improvements in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
• Use Integrated Pest Management principles and apply herbicides on State listed noxious weeds and undesirable weeds to improve habitat conditions and comply with State Law. including using backpack sprayers and broadcast methods.
• Operate, maintain, and repair irrigation lines, valves, filters, and drip irrigation systems for tree and shrub plantings to achieve desired growth and survival of plants. Includes hand pulling weeds and mowing to reduce competition.
• Determine equipment and tools needed to complete the work activity in a safe and efficient manner.
• Recognize native and non-native plants, to identify, report and control noxious weeds, and make recommendations on habitat improvements.

Maintain existing recreational developments.

• Maintain crushed rock trails with a smooth compacted weed free surface to meet ADA requirements. Includes herbicide applications on trails, mowing trail edges, hand removal of weeds, and raking and compacting trails.
• Maintain hiking trail surface and stairs and prune encroaching woody vegetation for public safety.
• Mow and prune woody vegetation adjacent to trails, kiosks, viewpoints, bridges, and parking areas to maintain clearance for public safety.
• Apply herbicide to poisonous plants (e.g., poison ivy, night shade) and undesirable plants in public use areas for public safety.
• Maintain and repair bridges for public safety and implement recommendations of bridge inspections provided by CAMP.
• Interact with the public in a professional manner

Operate a variety of equipment and vehicles to accomplish work activities.

• Utilize trailers for hauling equipment and materials including safely loading, securing, and transporting.
• Safely use hand-held power tools (e.g., chain saws, hedge trimmer, brush cutter, etc.) and other gas-powered equipment (e.g., generator, pump) to accomplish work activities.
• Utilize ATV and UTV vehicles in a safe manner to accomplish work activities.
• Drive 50hp-400hp tractors with attached implements to mow, disc, cultivate, harrow, or spray fields to establish or maintain restored habitats.
• Operate heavy equipment, including skid steers and excavators, for habitat improvements and site maintenance.

Maintenance and repairs.

• Maintain and make minor repairs to buildings to increase useful life and provide safe working conditions.
• Replace or repair worn or damaged parts on tractor implements, tractors, vehicles, and other essential equipment as needed to extend the life of the item and for safe operation.
• Change motor oil, spark plugs, and air filters on small gas power tools to extend the life of the item and for safe operation.
• Sharpen or replace, after severe wear, mower blades and chainsaw chains.

Working Conditions:

Work setting: Work is performed in the field, shop, and office. Work will most often be in the field for the Chelan Wildlife Area and traveling to its various units. Work is performed alone and as a team, while outside and in remote environments. 

Schedule: Monday-Thursday, 7:00 am – 5:30 pm, 10 hours/day. During peak workloads hours may be long and irregular.

Travel requirements: Wildlife area units are in various areas of Chelan and Okanogan Counties. Travel may include daily round trips of up to 150 miles.

Tools and equipment: Tracked skid steer, dozers, mini excavators, backhoes, trucks of various sizes (e.g., ½ to 1.5-ton pickup trucks), trailers, tractors, farm implements, ATV’s, UTV’s, disk harrow cultivator, mower, seed drill, irrigation pumps and lines, chain saw, welder, cutting torch, plasma cutter, drill press, various hand tools, etc.

Customer Interactions: Occasional interactions may occur while on the work site with the public in both the field and office settings.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:  High school graduation or GED, and Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2.  (Definition of Natural Resource Worker: Under close supervision and as a member of an organized crew, performs unskilled forest, agriculture, and/or aquatic land management labor.)

Option 2:  High school graduation or GED, and three (3) 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, and general repairer.

Please note:  College level work in the field of fish, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or a natural resource science may substitute year-for-year for experience.

License:  Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Washington State Pesticide Applicators License (to be obtained within 6 months of hire).
• First Aid (training will be provided - to be obtained within 6 months of hire).
• ATV Certification (training will be provided - to be obtained within 6 months of hire).

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

• Knowledge and experience with farming practices.
• Proficient at using GPS equipment and/or applications (i.e. Avenza, Field Maps, OnX) to determine project area.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software programs including Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of wildlife habitat relationships.
• Knowledge and experience in weed control.
• Knowledge of Eastern Washington plants.
• Working knowledge of weed management techniques.
• Working knowledge of heavy equipment and farm implements.
• Working knowledge of welding, metal work, and basic carpentry.
• Knowledge of vehicle maintenance and repairs.

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 (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.Potter@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 emailJayme.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.Potter@dfw.wa.govand reference job #2025-01377.

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