Title- Wildlife Area Technician
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 – *In-Training
Job Status- Full-Time - Career Seasonal
Season Length- 9 months - March 1 – November 30
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Okanogan, Washington – Okanogan County 

*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 Resources Technician 2 - $3,262.00 - $4,320.00 Monthly
Natural Resources Technician 3 - $3,665.00 - $4,882.00 Monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area by implementing projects that protect, enhance and restore habitats, support wildlife species, and maintain recreational opportunities. 

Envision yourself in the field, carrying out vegetation management activities, applying herbicides to control invasive species.

With your hand and power tool experience you will also perform technical tasks to maintain wildlife area facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.

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 and maintain wildlife habitats.
• Implement the 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, ensure safety of wildlife area facilities and equipment.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Primarily fieldwork, however some work is performed in an office or shop setting.
• Fieldwork may include exposure to inclement weather, navigating difficult terrain and operating small/large equipment and working from boats or around water. 
• Walk, lift, bend, and stoop, sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
• Must be able to safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions. 
• Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility terrain vehicles (UTV), 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: 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: This position may travel up to 15% of the time.

Tools and Equipment: Standard field tools such as shovels, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, farm machinery, backhoes, excavators, dozers, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), trucks, trailers and boats.

Customer Interactions: Communicate with the public during field work, via email, telephone, and at public meetings.

Required 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, such as: 

• 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

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• ATV, UTV certification within six (6) months of hire (agency will provide training).
• First Aid/CPR /AED Training Certification within (6) months of hire (agency will provide training).
• Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire (training provided by outside agency but funded by WDFW and conducted during work hours).
• Firefighter Type II Certification within one (1) year of hire (training provided by outside agency but funded by WDFW and conducted during work hours).

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

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-level classification performing technical or paraprofessional duties related to land use or development

Option 3: A bachelor’s degree with major study in agriculture, aquatic land studies or natural resource studies

Option 4: An associate’s degree in a natural resource science 
And
Two (2) years of technical experience in land management. 

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• ATV, UTV certification within six (6) months of hire (agency will provide training).
• First Aid/CPR /AED Training Certification within (6) months of hire (agency will provide training).
• Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire (training provided by outside agency but funded by WDFW and conducted during work hours).
• Firefighter Type II Certification within one (1) year of hire (training provided by outside agency but funded by WDFW and conducted during work hours).

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

Natural Resources, Agriculture and Habitat

• Experience with agricultural practices and equipment
• Experience with wildlife agricultural enhancement programs and farming practices
• Experience with wildlife habitat enhancement, restoration, and/or management
• Experience with mixing and applying pesticides
• Current Washington State Public Operator license
• Experience with identifying eastern Washington wildlife and plant species
• Experience with conducting field surveys

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Experience operating, maintaining and repairing of motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass/brush trimmers), shop equipment, ATVs, and UTVs
• Experience with basics of carpentry, mechanical, and facility repair including the maintenance of buildings, fences, and equipment

Technology and Data

• Experience with using GPS and mapping software
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with data collection, compilation, and summarization

Project and People Management

• Experience with project management
• Experience with overseeing volunteers

Safety and Hazard Awareness

• Experience with identifying hazards
• Experience with lock-out tag-out procedures
• Experience with emergency response

Your application must 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 #2026-09264.

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