Title- Assistant Wildlife Area Manager
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Kettle Falls, Washington – Stevens County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join WDFW and serve as the Assistant Manager of the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area (SCWA), supporting more than 14,000 acres within Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille counties.

In this position, you will help plan and implement the SCWA Management Plan, overseeing habitat, fish and wildlife, and recreational use activities including managing the agricultural lease, lowland trail system, and weed control program.

This is an opportunity to supervise seasonal staff, conduct habitat and wildlife surveys, and monitor public use of the wildlife area.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Assistant Wildlife Area Manager will,

Implement the written management plan for Sherman Creek, Rustler’s Gulch, and LeClerc Creek Wildlife Areas:

• Perform habitat maintenance, habitat enhancement, habitat restoration, and recreational management on land owned by WDFW.
• Assist with planning and developing priorities, developing and implementing projects, developing and managing the operating budget, and updating the management plan.
• Facilitate, manage, and monitor public, employee, volunteer, and researchers’ use on the wildlife areas.
• Conduct wildlife and habitat surveys.

Manage fleet operations, infrastructure, and facilities maintenance:

• Manage fleet of vehicles and equipment, ensuring safe operation and completion of maintenance and repairs.
• Ensure maintenance of roads, parking areas, signage, irrigation system, and other infrastructure needs.

Manage the noxious weed control program:

• Prioritize treatment areas and implement annual weed control.
• Maintain weed control equipment.
• Maintain required records of weed control activities.

Manage agricultural lease activities and trail system maintenance:

• Coordinate with the agricultural lessee to ensure the lease agreement is followed.
• Coordinate with the agricultural lessee to ensure the wildlife food plots are planted and maintained annually.

Supervise staff:

• Recruit and coordinate the hiring of one (1) direct report.
• Train, mentor, and direct the work of staff, and evaluate staff performance.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: This position involves a combination of office and fieldwork.

• When in the field, work in inclement weather over difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud up to 75% of the time. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. Frequently load and transport equipment weighing up to 45 pounds. May walk, stoop, and bend while carrying up to 45 pounds.
• The office is the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area headquarters, a small building five (5) miles from Kettle Falls, shared with the Wildlife Area Manager and a Natural Resources Technician 3.

Schedule: Typically, Monday–Thursday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. The schedule may vary to meet business needs due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments, such as working on a controlled burn through the evening.

Travel Requirements: Some travel is required (typically local or regional) to meet with stakeholders, conduct business, or attend/provide training. Occasional overnight travel is required for out-of-town training and agency meetings.

Tools and Equipment: Pickup trucks, trailers, mini-excavator, tractors, tillage and seeding implements, sprayers, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), mowers, chainsaws, power and hand tools, fire-fighting hand tools, welders and torches, GPS devices, cell phones, and laptops.

Customer Interactions: Frequently interact with the public and other stakeholders, including hunters, hikers, neighboring farmers and ranchers, volunteer groups, and other governmental entities.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: A bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, wildlife management, environmental science, or a related specialty area and one (1) year of professional-level experience in a natural resource specialty such as natural resource engineering, land management, land technician, natural resource technician, forest cruiser, or engineering aide.

Option 2: Three (3) years of professional-level experience in a natural resource specialty such as natural resource engineering, land management, land technician, natural resource technician, forest cruiser, or engineering aide.

Option 3: One (1) year of experience as a Natural Resource Specialist 1, Biologist 1, or similar position.

Please note: A Master’s degree or PhD. may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
The following certifications are required—WDFW will provide training if not possessed prior to employment.

• Firefighter Type II Certification.
• Chainsaw Certification.
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification.
• Washington State Pesticide Applicator, Public Operator License.
• ATV/UTV Certification.

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

Experience:

• Habitat enhancement and management, particularly in forest environments.
• Operating farm equipment.
• Operating mini excavator.
• Towing and backing a trailer while driving a pickup truck.
• Using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).

Certifications/Licenses:

• ATV/UTV Certification.
• Chainsaw Certification.
• Firefighter Type II Certification.
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification.
• Washington State Pesticide Applicator, Public Operator 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 danielle.gustafson@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: 2025-1234 – 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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-06725.

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