Title- Lands and Habitat Specialist
Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2
Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program 
Duty Station- Selah, Washington – Yakima County

The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
 

The Lands and Habitat Specialist plays a vital role in managing over 110,000 acres of WDFW-owned and managed lands across Yakima and Kittitas counties.

In this role, you’ll support the Wildlife Area (WLA) Manager with the administration, planning, and implementation of habitat and recreation projects on the Wenas WLA.

With your experience, you’ll independently conduct studies on habitats, wildlife, and recreational use while also maintaining facilities and equipment. 

Your key responsibilities include protecting and enhancing shrub-steppe, forest, and riparian habitats, and managing public recreation.
 

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Lands and Habitat Specialist will,

Implement activities to maintain/improve habitat, species, and/or recreational opportunities compatible with fish and wildlife and their habitats:

• Develop and implement habitat projects to benefit critical wildlife species.
• Operate heavy and light equipment such as tractors, skid steers, mowers, disks, seeders, herbicide sprayers, pumps, hand tools, and power tools (e.g., brush cutters and chainsaws).

Collect and analyze data on habitat improvement projects and recreational use of Wildlife Areas:

• Lead the effort in a shrub steppe habitat survey to determine if current habitat management practices are successful.
• Conduct field reviews of restored sites and recommend future management activities.

Maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, facilities, and infrastructure:

• Maintain and utilize a variety of tools and machinery including drills, grinders, welders, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), trucks, tractors, trailers, spray systems, backhoes and dozers.

Planning, administration, and reporting:

• Develop grant proposals for habitat restoration and enhancement projects; and prepare reports for successful grants.

Engage with the public and partners:

• Develop professional level working relationships with a variety of user groups, adjacent neighbors and throughout the community.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 65% fieldwork and 35% office.
• Fieldwork often involves travel to field sites in varying inclement weather conditions.
• Navigate challenging terrain, including deep snow, slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud.
• Operate power equipment and machinery (e.g., tractors, ATVs), with risks of tripping, falling, and equipment-related hazards.
• Drive 4-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs on primitive roads.
• Perform physical tasks such as walking, frequent lifting (up to 40 pounds), bending, and stooping, often on uneven terrain, and tasks may vary seasonally.
• May work on private lands in active crop production with risks from agricultural equipment, uneven ground, and possible exposure to hazardous substances.
• Working outdoors in adverse weather conditions or rugged environments can further contribute to physical and environmental hazards.
• 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: Typically, work a 4-day, 10-hour schedule. At times, work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments.

Travel Requirements: Overnight travel may be required.

Tools and Equipment: Shovels, fence post drivers, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, ATVs, tractors, mowers, skid steers, backhoes, dozer, large trucks, attachments, agency vehicle, GPS, ArcGIS, smartphones, digital camera, and standard office equipment (computer, copier, scanner).

Customer Interactions: Engage with the public during field work and at public meetings. Regularly interact with upset customers.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree involving major study in fisheries, wildlife management, natural resource science, or environmental science.

AND

One (1) year of professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research.

Please Note: Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis - examples of related natural resource experience include working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming practices, operating heavy equipment, conducting wildlife habitat enhancement practices.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• First Aid and CPR Trainings. Should be completed within six (6) months of hire. Training is provided by WDFW.
• All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) & Utility Task Vehicles (UTV) certification. Should be completed within one (1) year of hire. Training is provided by WDFW.
• Hold or obtain Washington State Public Operators State pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.
• Obtain Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Pesticide Handlers License within six (6) months of hire.

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

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Firefighter Type 2 Certification (training provided).

Experience in/with: 

• Forest management, shrub steppe habitat enhancement and restoration for big game species.
• Wildlife agricultural enhancement programs/farming practices.
• Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration.
• Integrated pest management practices while managing habitat.
• Different forms of recreational users such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
• Heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Small engine tools such as pumps, chainsaws, brush cutters.
• Operating small hand and power tools (e.g., drills, hammer, etc.).
• Basics of carpentry, mechanical, electrical, plumbing and facility repair.
• Small and large equipment troubleshooting, repair and maintenance.
• Welding and fabrication.
• Using GPS, GIS, computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar clients.
• Biological data collection.
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.
• Applying pesticides.
• Driving, operating, and hauling All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV), manual truck, tractor, trailer, backhoe, and farm equipment.
• Operating and performing basic maintenance on ATVs, 4-wheel drive vehicles, manual transmission vehicles and standard highway vehicles.
• Repairing and maintaining buildings, fences, facilities and equipment.
• Performing habitat management activities.
• Identifying wildlife and plant species.
• Overseeing volunteers.
• Conducting field surveys to collect data.

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 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: 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04299.

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