Title- Regional Water Access Specialist
Classification- Natural Resource Specialist 1
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- *Stanwood, Washington – Snohomish County
*Please Note- The current duty station is Stanwood, Washington. Alternative duty stations within Region 4 (Skagit, Whatcom, and King Counties) may be considered. This position is eligible for a 5% pay differential if the assigned duty station is located in King County.

This position is part of a team with one additional opening. If you’re interested in being considered for the other position, please submit a separate application for that position. Applicants must meet the qualifications listed for each role to be considered.
Natural Resource Technician 3 - Job #2025-07799

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and help keep Washington’s wild places safe, accessible, and thriving! In this hands-on role, you’ll inspect and maintain Wildlife and Water Access Areas, repair and improve facilities, and support habitat conservation. You’ll work outdoors year-round, operating equipment, performing skilled maintenance, and ensuring sites are safe and welcoming for the public. This position also contributes to recreation planning, supervises crews and volunteers, and helps protect the natural beauty that makes Washington special.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the WDFW region 4 water access Specialist:

• Inspects and maintains Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Areas and/or Water Access Areas and collects information
• Assesses recreation use, infrastructure status, and habitat conditions; takes photographs and reports describing and analyzing observed conditions such as recreational use, accessibility, terrain, habitat, and site developments and user practices.
• Performs skilled work in several trades for habitat and infrastructure maintenance on Water Access Areas.
• Studies and evaluates public use patterns, trail, and road use, and provides recommendations if problems are observed. 
• Supervise, train, and evaluate work performance of employees and volunteer work crews assigned to their area of responsibility.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: This position is primarily a field position, working approximately 85% in the field and 15% in the office. Work will occur at WDFW’s Region 4 water access area sites and wildlife areas, boat launches and river and lake fishing access sites. Individual must traverse and drive in uneven rugged terrain under all weather conditions. Sustained vehicle operation for long periods of time (2-4+ hours). Sustained outdoor work (4-6+ hours) in adverse weather conditions. The position will require operating a four-wheel drive vehicle on highway and forest roads, as well as trail hiking, and riding ATV’s on trails in moderate to difficult terrain. Ability to lift in excess of 45 pounds while performing duties. Bending, twisting, stooping, climbing regularly. Regular contact with human waste and drug paraphernalia. Herbicide and paint application. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.    

Schedule: 40 hours per week - 7:00 am – 5:30pm Monday - Thursday. Schedule may also be 8:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m.  Some variation for seasonal workloads. Nighttime or weekend work on an as need basis. Leave requests and approvals will be processed as outlined in agency policy and the effective Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Travel requirements: Frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout the region. Extensive driving time between Access Areas daily. Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to one week at a time, may occur to attend conferences, training, assist with fieldwork, etc.   

Tools and equipment: Trucks, pickups, ATV’s/UTV’s, trailers, tractor with several implements, mowers, sprayers, power washers, various pesticide sprayers, GPS units, hand and power tools and desktop computer. Dump trailers, equipment trailers, riding lawnmowers.

Customer Interaction: Frequent. Via telephone, within the community or during field work. Occasional communications/interactions with distraught or upset customers    

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

• Four years’ experience working with natural resources or out-door recreation (e.g., Natural Resource Worker, Natural Resource Technician, Scientific Technician, Fish and Wildlife Biologist)
  • Note: A Bachelor’s degree with 24 quarter/18 semester hours in a related natural resource specialty area such as wildlife, conservation, range, agriculture, forestry, or out-door recreation will substitute for the above experience. 

AND

• Experience operating and performing routine maintenance on chainsaws, quads, motorcycles, small excavators, and other light equipment, as well as hand and power tools common to maintenance and repairs.
• Experience using Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, etc. 

Certifications/Licenses: Valid Driver’s License  

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Trainings, certifications, and licenses are provided and/or facilitated by WDFW
• First Aid Training and CPR (Can complete after hire)
• Must obtain a WSDA public operator pesticide license. (within one year)

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

• Working knowledge of vegetation management techniques and strategies specific to the typical habitats encountered in local working area 
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) 
• Experience with heavy equipment operation and maintenance 
• WSDA public operator’s license and experience with the use of herbicides 
• Experience with overseeing volunteer groups 
• Experience with fence repair and construction  

Knowledge of:

• Power and hand tools operation.
• Heavy equipment operation and maintenance
• Vegetation management techniques and strategies 
• Understand and perform basic math functions
• Carpentry and Fence Repair and Construction 
• Basic plumbing and Electrical fundamentals
• Metal prefabrication and welding techniques
• Safety compliance

Ability to: 

• Repair plumbing, electrical and other equipment
• Metal prefabrication and welding techniques
• Use welding equipment in remote areas
• HPA compliance regarding WDFW boat launches sites and properties

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 RecruitmentTeam@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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