Title- Wildlife Area Technician – Chief Joseph Wildlife Area
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 *(In-Training)
Job Status- Full-Time – Permanent
Number of Vacancies- Two (2)
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
Duty Station- Clarkston, Washington – Asotin County

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

*We are recruiting to hire at the Natural Resource Technician 2 or 3 level. We will train a new hire at level 2 up to the Natural Resource Technician 3 level.

Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary will be as follows:
Natural Resource Technician 2 - $3,028.00 - $3,999.00 Monthly
Natural Resource Technician 3 - $3,393.00 - $4,517.00 Monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Implement projects aimed at protecting, maintaining, and enhancing habitats, species, and recreational opportunities within the Chief Joseph Wildlife Area. 

Envision yourself in the field, conducting technical maintenance of facilities, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure the safety of the public, and preservation of the wildlife area.

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

Plan, coordinate and implement projects to protect, maintain, and improve habitats, species, and recreational opportunities on the Wildlife Area:

• Implement Wildlife Area projects.
• Restore/enhance/maintain wildlife habitats.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• Conduct agricultural activities such as mowing, disking, seeding, and trimming trees. 
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws ATVs, UTV’s, tractors, and excavators.
• Inspect, manage, and maintain access areas and public use resources on the wildlife area to ensure the health and safety of the public, compliance, and the aesthetics of the wildlife area.

Maintain capital facilities, wildlife area infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment:

• Maintain Wildlife Area buildings, information kiosks and signage.
• Maintain and oversee irrigation systems.
• Assist and oversee the implementation of capital improvement projects.
• Maintain roads, culverts, gates, fences, parking lots and other capital improvements. 
• Maintain wildlife area vehicles, equipment, and maintenance records.
• Monitor, assess and ensure the safety of Wildlife Area facilities and equipment.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Primarily field work, which includes exposure to inclement weather including extreme heat or snow, difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks, canyon rims, cliffs and sticky mud, and water.
• Hazards include tripping/falling and other things consistent with working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working from boats or around water. Some work is performed in an office or shop setting.
• Walk, lift, bend, and stoop – sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
• Safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions. Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, ATVs, UTVs, and must be able to load and transport heavy equipment.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Thursday 6:30 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. with availability for non-scheduled workweek/long irregular hours.
 
Travel Requirements: Travel up to 15% of time for various meetings, conferences or training purposes as well as in or out of state .

Tools and Equipment: Standard field tools such as shovels, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, farm machinery, backhoes, excavators, dozers, ATV’s, trucks, trailers, boats
 
Customer Interactions: Communicate with the public during field work, through email and telephone, and at public meetings.

Qualifications:

This In-Training series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited experience.

Candidates will be hired as a Natural Resource Technician 2 or Natural Resource Technician 3, depending on skills and experience.

Advancement from Natural Resource Technician 2 to Natural Resource Technician 3 requires successful completion of the In-Training Plan, which will be provided upon hiring.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2: 

Option 1: High School Graduation or GED and two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2. 

Option 2: High School Graduation or GED and two (2) years of related professional equivalent experience, including:

• Working on a farm/ranch.
• Conducting agricultural enhancement/farming activities.
• Operating heavy equipment.
• Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.
• General repairer.

Option 3: Equivalent education/experience.

Please Note: College level course work in one (1) or more of the following fields may substitute year-for-year for experience: Fish, wildlife, habitat, agriculture, forestry, aquatic land studies, or natural resource science.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• ATV, UTV certification (agency will provide training)
• Maintain First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification (agency will provide training)
• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within one (1) year of hire (agency provided).

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 3 (Goal Class): 

Option 1: 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 2: 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 3: A Bachelor’s degree with major study in, agriculture, aquatic land studies, or natural resource studies.

Option 4: An Associate degree in natural resources, and two (2) years of technical experience in land management.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• ATV, UTV certification (agency will provide training)
• Maintain First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification (agency will provide training)
• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within one (1) year of hire (agency provided).

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

Experience with: 

• Using agricultural practices and equipment.
• Carpentry and metal fabrication skills.
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.

Knowledge of:

• Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration.
• Basics of carpentry, mechanical and facility repair.
• Welding aluminum and steel, fabrication knowledge.
• Small, large, and heavy equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Small engine tools such as pumps, chainsaws, and brush cutters.
• Computer software – Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Managing projects and workloads.
• Safety procedures.

Ability to: 

• Perform habitat management activities.
• Safely mix and apply pesticides.
• Repair and maintain buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• Follow all safety guidelines and identify hazards while proficiently operating and performing basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e., tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass/brush trimmers), shop equipment, ATVs..
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Oversee volunteers to include working with inmate work crews.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data. Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Use GPS, mapping software, computer with Microsoft Office software for collaborating, communications, word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar events.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and orally with agency staff, other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
• Follow prescribed protocols and procedures as well as oral and written directions.
• Complete required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.

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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-04338.

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