Title- Regional Water Access Technician
Classification- Natural Resources Technician 3
Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Lacey, Washington – Thurston County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and help keep Washington’s wild areas safe, accessible, and sustainable. In this hands-on role, your work will directly support recreational opportunities at Water Access Areas throughout Region 6.

This is an opportunity to travel throughout the coastal region to inspect and repair facilities, operate equipment, manage vegetation, and more.

With your experience, you will maintain Water Access properties and facilities to ensure the health and safety of the public and the aesthetics of the WDFW lands.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Regional Water Access Technician will,

Independently provide maintenance on WDFW owned and operated lands and facilities:

• Remove garbage and debris from restroom facilities.
• Clean and brush out cobwebs and insects from structures including windows and windowsills.
• Clean and sanitize toilets, urinals, and handrails.
• Restock restrooms with toilet paper.
• Clean and inspect door locks, door handles, and windows, reporting to the supervisor if broken or not working properly.
• Remove or cover graffiti inside and/or outside of structures.
• Wash off moss or mildew from restroom facilities.
• Walk around the Access Areas and Wildlife Areas to pick up litter, trash debris, and illegally dumped materials.

Independently perform vegetation management on WDFW owned and operated lands:

• Brush, weed eat, and trim overgrowth and vegetation.  
• Rake and blow leaves.
• Hand pull or spray weeds and vegetation.
• Mix, spray, broadcast, and store chemicals, keeping records of chemical use and inventory.
• Remove fallen trees or debris from roads, boat ramps, and parking areas.
• Operate trucks, ATVs, leaf blowers, weed eaters, hydraulic dump trailers, tractors, chippers, chainsaws, pumps, brush cutters, rotary mowers, pressure washers, power tools, and other specialized equipment used in construction and maintenance.

Conduct safety and maintenance activities:

• Report potential hazardous debris or spills to the supervisor.
• Clean, repair, or establish walkways, paths, and trails for pedestrian accessibility.
• Repair docks, railings, and facilities.
• Clean, repair, replace, and post signs.
• Repair potholes and conduct grading activities in parking lots and roadways.
• Inspect and repair fences and gates.
• Place boulders or barrier rocks.
• Paint and conduct other exterior maintenance of buildings.
• Clean and maintain campgrounds.
• Perform basic maintenance and routine repairs to motor vehicles and equipment.
• Mark property boundaries with signs or flagging.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is primarily (90%) conducted in the field at Water Access Areas, while the remaining work (10%) will occur in an office or fabrication shop setting.
• Field work includes exposure to inclement weather and difficult terrain (including slippery rocks, steep banks, and sticky mud). Hazards may include tripping, falling, or other risks associated with operating small and large equipment in outdoor settings, on boats, or around water.
• Stand in waist-deep water to repair ramps and docks. Stand or traverse on foot performing repetitive tasks. Walk, lift, bend, and stoop, sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
• Drive on primitive roads in all weather conditions with sustained vehicle operation for long periods of time (2-4+hours). Use 4x4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, ATVs, and UTVs, and load/transport heavy equipment.
• Regularly encounter human waste and drug paraphernalia.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, 40 hours per week, Monday–Thursday, 6:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. with some variation for seasonal workloads, environmental conditions, or public health and safety needs. Nighttime or weekend work on an as needed basis.

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 (1) week at a time, may occur for things such as attending conferences, training, and assisting with fieldwork.

Tools and Equipment: Trucks, ATVs, leaf blowers, weed eaters, hydraulic dump trailers, tractors, chippers, chainsaws, pumps, brush cutters, rotary mowers, pressure washers, common gas and electric power and hand tools, and other specialized equipment and power tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Customer Interactions: Daily interaction with the recreating public and agency staff at WDFW Wildlife Areas and Water Access Areas. May include occasional interactions with individuals experiencing anger, frustration, or distress.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: 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 2: 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 or development.

Option 3: Associate’s degree in natural resources
And
Two (2) years of technical experience in land management.

Option 4: Bachelor’s degree with major study in agriculture, aquatic land studies or other natural resource studies.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Trainings/certifications will be facilitated and/or provided by WDFW: 

• Forklift Operation certification
• Chainsaw safety 1
• Obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR/AED training certification
• Obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire and renew as needed.

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

Experience with:

• Landscaping (such as weed eating, trimming vegetation, raking leaves, spraying weeds, removing fallen trees and debris)
• Hand and power tools operation.
• Heavy equipment operation and maintenance.
• Small engine operation and maintenance (chainsaws, blowers, weed eaters).
• Carpentry and fence repair and construction.
• Basic plumbing and electrical fundamentals.

Knowledge of:

• Vegetation management techniques and strategies.
• Basic trades (such as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical fundamentals).
• Safety compliance.

Ability to:

• Work independently or within a group and lead projects.
• Follow all safety guidelines and requirements.
• Proficiently and safely drive, operate, haul, and maintain trucks, tractors, trailers, backhoe, and mowers.
• Safely apply herbicides and pesticides, and a willingness to use them.
• Remove dangerous trees.
• Repair plumbing, electrical, and other equipment.
• Understand and adhere to environmental rules and laws related to work being performed.
• Understand and perform basic math functions.

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 #2025-08748.

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