Title- Assistant Wildlife Area Manager
Classification- Fish and Wildlife Biologist 2
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division – Region 2
Wildlife Areas - Big Bend, Sagebrush Flat, and Wells Wildlife Areas.
Duty Station- Brewster, Washington – Okanogan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

As a leader in your field, you’ll have the opportunity to guide field staff and oversee land management operations, carrying out Wildlife Area Plans across the Big Bend, Sagebrush Flat, and Wells Wildlife Areas, totaling to 48,160 acres.

Success in this role requires a strong passion for field work and ecological restoration. From habitat restoration, annual food plots, weed control to monitoring and evaluating priority habitats shrubsteppe and riparian, your work will be central to sustaining healthy ecosystems and wildlife populations.

This role also emphasizes the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with the public and stakeholders, while proactively addressing emerging issues and challenges on the landscape.

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

Serve as the senior planner and field lead for shrubsteppe restoration and coordination, including development, implementation, and monitoring on wildlife areas:

• Implement habitat management and restoration within ecological systems to benefit Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN), priority species, and priority habitats.
• Perform habitat management activities using farm methods and heavy equipment, including tractors, Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs), harrows, sprayers, mowers, seeders, cultipackers, skid steers, and implements.
• Inventory and manage for SGCN species, riparian health, and spring conditions with an emphasis on habitat needs of relevant SGCN species.
• Lead, manage, implement, and provide technical input for the development restoration and habitat enhancement projects on wildlife areas, including identifying tools, budgets, applications, and processes. 
• Develop grants to maintain/improve wildlife areas. 
• Lead, oversee, and manage the implementation of the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) on wildlife areas.
• Solve field and equipment problems to complete the assignment within appropriate timeframe.
• Purchase native seed, plant plugs, fertilizer, and herbicides.

Supervise and direct wildlife area staff:

• Plan, assign, and review staff work; adjust assignments and schedules to respond to fluctuating workloads and emerging issues.
• Coordinate and oversee projects.

Conduct the implementation of management plans: 

• Serve as the point of contact for emergent issues stemming from WDFW land management at Big Bend WLA.
• Plan, negotiate, and administer leases and grazing management agreements with help of Range Ecologist; monitor grazing compliance.
• Survey wildlife areas for invasive vegetation, native threatened/endangered plants, key grouse forbs, and general habitat conditions using predefined methodologies to implement appropriate management.
• Apply mechanical, cultural, biological, or chemical weed control; maintain records per Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) standards.
• Identify, write, acquire, and manage grants.

Conduct outreach and communicate with neighbors, stakeholders, land-use permit holders, and the public regarding wildlife area activities, permits, and plans:

• Provide consultation to the public on natural resource management and to agency staff on fish, wildlife, habitat, and recreation on WDFW-managed lands.

Maintain facilities, infrastructure, and equipment:

• Maintain existing capital facilities and project equipment on wildlife area.
• Repair and maintain infrastructure and operate small and large equipment to keep them in working order.

Serve as principal assistant to the Complex Wildlife Area Manager:

• Track progress of work elements/deliverables; compile and coordinate development of annual reports; review and revise drafts; and submit final reports.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work setting, including hazards:

• Combination of office and fieldwork, with frequent travel to field sites and outdoor work in inclement weather and challenging terrain (e.g., deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, mud) while frequently carrying light loads up to 40 lbs.
• Field surveys may require travel by vehicle or on foot and may involve exposure to hazardous wildlife. 
• Biological sampling involves handling potentially hazardous materials and using needles, cutting instruments, and other sharp tools, increasing the risk of injury or exposure to pathogens.
• Work may occur on private lands that are actively used for agriculture, presenting additional hazards such as uneven ground, operating agricultural equipment, potential exposure to hazardous substances. 
• Proper training, use of personal protective equipment, and adherence to established safety guidelines are essential to mitigate these risks.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: Daily travel to field sites located within Douglas and Okanogan Counties, which may include round trips of up to 170 miles. Occasional travel (5–10%) may be required for trainings or meetings.

Tools and Equipment: Computer, mobile phones, Microsoft Office/Outlook, GPS units and mapping software, trucks and pickups, ATVs/UTVs, boats, trailers, tractors with various implements, heavy equipment, sprayers, and a range of power and hand tools.

Customer Interactions: Routine public interaction through phone and e-mail. Regularly interact with a variety of internal and external groups including tribes, county/state workers and members of the public. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

A Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Science, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.

AND

One (1) year of professional experience in habitat and/or wildlife management or research, including experience in ALL of the following (experience may be gained concurrently):

• Habitat management activities.
• Management, restoration, and enhancement of shrubsteppe and riparian plant communities.
• Wildlife and habitat survey methods and techniques (e.g., conducting field surveys to collect data, accurately identify wildlife and plant species).
• Weed/noxious plant identification and plant management using pesticides.
• Restoration of shrubsteppe and riparian plant communities.
• Operating motorized and non-motorized equipment and tools.
• Driving a 4-wheel-drive pickup truck.
• Towing a trailer, loading and securing equipment on trailers.
• Operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs).
• Farm equipment, including 4-wheel-drive tractors, along with a variety of implements.

Please Note: 

• Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.  
• A Master’s degree and/or Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for the one (1) year of required experience.  

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Driver’s License.

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

Two (2) or more years of experience: 

• Using wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Applying agricultural practices, including crop rotation and operating agricultural equipment.
• Conducting grazing management, including assessment and monitoring of utilization and Animal Unit Months (AUMs).
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.
• Applying low-tech process based riparian restoration techniques including beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and Zeedyk rock structures.
• Using herbicides, including operating backpack and ATV/UTV-mounted sprayer systems.
• Operating chainsaws.
• Operating construction equipment such as track loaders, excavators, and bulldozers.
• Performing proper care and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized equipment.
• Diagnosing and correcting basic issues with equipment, as well as facilities and building systems.
• Performing basic carpentry.
• Identifying nongame species, big game species, waterfowl, and Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in the field.
• Understanding wildlife population relationships and ecology.
• Working with livestock behavior and management, including fence repair and construction.
• Training and supervising permanent and temporary staff.
• Implementing Wildlife Area Plan activities.
• Conducting data analysis and developing well-reasoned inferences from data for management recommendation.
• Using computers and related technology for efficiency of communication.
• Using ESRI ArcMap (GIS mapping systems) and GPS to collect data and generate maps.

License/Certifications: 

• National Wildfire Coordinating Group PM-310-1 Red Card certification.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Public Operator’s License.

Your application must 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 Ashley.Lee@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: 2026-1234 – 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-09287.

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