ONE (1) OPENING
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
WATER ACCESS AREA STAFF
NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 2

Wildlife Program
Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

This recruitment has been re-opened to fill the remaining vacancy and will be posted until May 28, 2024. If you applied previously your application is still under consideration and you do not need to re-apply. Application review is ongoing, submit your application materials as soon as possible. This recruitment may be closed at any time.  

As a journey-level professional, envision yourself overseeing the maintenance and operation of public use infrastructure and engaging in various trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, welding, mechanics, and small engine repair. 

In the field, you will also independently apply herbicides and pesticides for weed control, operate road equipment, and maintain facilities such as restroom facilities, boat launches, parking areas, trails, information kiosks and signs.

Picture yourself in the field, 

Conducting inspections and gathering data including recreation use, infrastructure status, and habitat conditions.

This is an opportunity,

To operate road equipment used in construction, snow removal, and similar maintenance activities.

You thrive on collaboration and teamwork, 

Partner with individuals and nongovernmental organizations to cooperatively maintain and manage the Wildlife and Water Access areas.

We are seeking a candidate, 

Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Duties:

Some of what our Water Access Area Staff will enjoy doing, 

Perform skilled work in several trades for habitat and infrastructure maintenance: 

• Work within a variety of trades including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, mechanics, and small engine repair.
• Apply herbicides and pesticides that will require an applicator’s license to control noxious weeds and manage native habitat.
• Maintain outhouses, kiosks, signs, docks, and boat ramps and pick up litter.
• Remove graffiti and repair facilities that have been vandalized.
• Inspect and remove dead or leaning trees using appropriate equipment.

Inspect Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Areas and Water Access Areas to collect information: 

• Take photographs and write reports describing and analyzing observed conditions such as recreational use, accessibility, terrain, habitat, site developments and user practice.

Study and evaluate public use patterns, trail and road use, and develop construction and maintenance projects for access and recreation sites:

• Examine and appraise the work done by contractors.
• Monitor public use of the area and conduct inspections of public access sites to ensure health and safety compliance.    
• Supervise and guide staff, work crews, volunteers, and/or contractors.

Perform other duties as assigned: 

• Negotiate special use permits of state-owned land, develop resource management plans and monitor permits and compliance.
• Work with federal, state, local agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and interested public concerning agency facilities, opportunities, and current activities.
• Contribute to Wildlife and Water Access Area planning for infrastructure development for recreation and habitat development.
• Assist with or write grants for developing recreational access, habitat conservation, or land acquisition.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Majority fieldwork (75%) with some work (25%) to occur in an office. 
  • Navigate and drive on uneven, rugged terrain under all weather conditions. 
  • Operate vehicles for long periods of time (between 2 – 4+ hours) as well as work outdoors (between 4 – 6+ hours) in adverse weather conditions. 
  • Operate a four-wheel drive vehicle on highway and forest roads. Trail hike and ride all-terrain vehicles (ATV) on trails in moderate to difficult terrain. 
  • Lift more than 50 pounds while performing duties – varies from daily lifting to a few times a week.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, Monday - Friday between 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. 
  • Work outside of these hours may be assigned as needed to complete work tasks and may include night and weekend hours. 
• Travel Requirements:
  • Frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout the region.
  • Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to one (1) week at a time may occur to attend conferences, training, assist with fieldwork. 
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Trucks, pickups, ATV’s/UTV’s, trailers, tractor with several implements, mowers, sprayers, power washers, various pesticide sprayers, chainsaw, leaf blower, chippers, dump trailers, brush cutters, GPS units, hand and power tools and desktop computer.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interactions will be frequent either through telephone and within the community or during field work. Occasional interactions with customers who may be frustrated. 

Qualifications:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Five (5) years of progressive experience working with natural resources or out-door recreation.

OR

• Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Specialist 1.

Please Note: 

• Equivalent education in a related natural resource specialty area such as wildlife, conservation, range, agriculture, forestry, or out-door recreation will substitute, year for year, for qualifying experience.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: 

• Experience with safely operating and performing routine maintenance on chainsaws, quads, motorcycles, small excavators, tractors, and other light equipment, as well as hand and power tools common to maintenance and repairs.
• Using Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook. 
• Knowledge and experience of vegetation management techniques and strategies (including the use of herbicides)
• Knowledge of public health and safety issues on remote access sites.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid Drivers License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) 
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) public operator’s license. Can be obtained within the first six (6) months of hire. 
• Experience with overseeing volunteer groups, crews, and special interest groups 
• Experience with fence repair and construction  
• Welding and metal skills.  
• Ability to provide customer service and public relations.
• Ability to safely handle and dispose of biohazardous materials. 
• Ability to de-escalate confrontational situations.

Supplemental Information:

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).
• A current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency’s mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE: 

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers. 

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.  

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone at 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov  or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

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.

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