Title- Wildlife Area Technician – Skagit Wildlife Area
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 
Job Status- Full-Time - Career Seasonal 
Season Length - 6 months – May 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
Duty Station- Mount Vernon, Washington – Skagit County
Please Note: Salary listed does not include spray operators pay – spray operator pay is base pay plus 10% while performing spray operation duties.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Play a key role in habitat restoration and invasive species management across multiple watersheds, ensuring compliance and enhancing fish and wildlife opportunities for the recreating public.

Envision yourself in the field, implementing habitat improvement projects, conducting integrated vegetation management including herbicide application, maintaining equipment, and collecting critical treatment data to support conservation efforts on WDFW managed lands.

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:

• Assist in implementing Wildlife Area projects.
• Restore, enhance and maintain wildlife habitats.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed. 
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws ATVs, UTV’s, tractors, boats, and Marsh Masters.
• Gather pre- and post-treatment data on vegetation, weeds and treatment methods using phone apps, forms, cameras, and notebooks for later analysis.

Maintain vehicles and equipment:

• Inspect and maintain crew vehicles, equipment, spray equipment, and maintenance records.
• Inspect, 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. Some work is performed in an office or shop setting.
• Hazards may include tripping/falling when working with small/large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working from boats or around water.
• Walk, lift, bend, and stoop on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
• Safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions.
• Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, ATVs, UTVs, and daily loading and transporting heavy equipment.
• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. Ability to work long irregular hours, and more than 40 hours per week as required. 

Travel Requirements: Available for a non-scheduled workweek and travel up to 15% of the time. Occasional weekend and overnight travel.

Tools and Equipment: Standard field tools such as shovels, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, chemical application equipment, swamp buggies, airboats, ATV’s, trucks, trailers, boats

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

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, 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” may include 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 agriculture, aquatic land studies, or natural resource studies.

Option 4: Associate degree in natural resource studies and two (2) years of technical experience in land management.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• ATV, UTV certification (agency provided).
• Maintain First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification (agency provided).
• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license with aquatic, ornamental and right-of-way endorsements within six (6) months of hire.
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability within 12 months of hire.

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

Experience in the use of agricultural practices and equipment.

Experience in identifying aquatic and terrestrial weed species around Washington and native plant species.

Proficiency in the use of boats and understanding rivers.

Knowledge of:

• Herbicide application.
• 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 and workloads.
• Safety procedures.

Ability to: 

• Perform habitat management activities.
• Safely mix and apply pesticides.
• Repair and maintain facilities, and equipment.
• Follow all safety guidelines and identify hazards while proficiently operating, maintaining, and performing basic troubleshooting and repairs on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment (including tractors and boats), small power equipment (such as tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and brush trimmers), shop equipment, ATV’s.
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Oversee volunteers to include working with conservation 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.

License/Certifications: 

• Part 107 Drone pilot license.

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 #2025-01618.

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