FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
 LANDS AND RECREATION SPECIALIST

NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 2
 WDFW Wildlife Program
 312 Mt. Vale Rd., Selah, Washington – Yakima County

Please note: This recruitment is posted until filled, with a first review of applications to take place on September 1, 2022.  Application review will be ongoing, and therefore, we encourage you to submit your application materials as soon as possible.  The hiring manager reserves the right to close the posting at any time once a selection has been made.

The Wenas Wildlife Area Natural Resource Specialist 2 supports

the agency strategies to preserve and restore habitat and species, provide fish and wildlife habitat and recreation, and meet WDFW’s business management and obligations.

Consistent with these agency strategies, this position provides field support on the Wenas Wildlife Area, which includes more than 120,000 acres of WDFW owned and managed lands within Yakima and Kittitas Counties.  People living here and in other nearby areas are affected by wildlife and have expectations relative to customer service by WDFW, and this position will become an important part of WDFW’s community involvement in these areas.

Primary management objectives on the Wenas Wildlife Area are protection and enhancement of shrub-steppe, forest and riparian habitats, and management of recreational use.

Wenas Rainbow – Photo Credit: Justin Haug
 
With that in mind,
 
Picture yourself implementing adaptive management plans for restoring, enhancing, and maintenance of forest, riparian, and shrub steppe habitats.
 
In this dynamic role, you will assist with implementation of habitat, fish, wildlife, and recreational use management activities on the Wenas Wildlife Area.

Wenas Wildlife Area flowers – Photo Credit: Lynn Helbrecht
 
Our Natural Resource Specialist,

• Develops a strong understanding of the different forms of recreation on the Wenas Wildlife Area such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
• Develops and implements habitat projects to benefit critical wildlife species.
• Uses heavy equipment such as tractors, skid steers, mowers, disks, seeders, herbicide sprayers, the use of hand tools and power tools such as brush cutters and chainsaws.
• Oversees multiple target shooting sites.
• Inspects, repairs, installs, and maintains the physical facilities of the wildlife area, including signs, reader boards, and kiosks, and maintenance and repair of 46 miles of elk fence.
• Maintains and utilizes a variety of small and large equipment such as chainsaws, welders, ATV’s, trucks, tractors, trailers, spray systems, backhoes and dozers.
• Removes structures and litter on wildlife area and monitors public use.
• Monitors recreational use and its impacts or potential impacts to vegetation, wildlife, and habitats.
• Makes management recommendations based on this monitoring to minimize impacts.
• Leads volunteer projects on trail maintenance and other recreational projects.
• Conducts field reviews of restored sites, recommends and implements future management activities.
• Assists in development of capital improvement projects and applies for grants to maintain/improve Wildlife Area.
• Performs Wildlife Program and Wildlife Area administrative tasks including responding to the public, weekly reporting, purchasing materials, training, meeting with other agencies and non-governmental organizations.
• Purchases goods and services, obtains bids, maintains budget records, and manages files.
• Interacts with the public to answer questions regarding fish/wildlife, WDFW lands, and recreation on the WLA, and promote agency values.
• Develops professional level working relationships with a variety of user groups, adjacent neighbors and throughout the community.
• Works with other WDFW staff, Federal, State and/or local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public to develop and implement ecosystem/habitat management and public access projects on wildlife area lands.
• Provides information to public, either written or via presentation, regarding wildlife species, habitat enhancement and management, and recreational opportunities.

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Field: 70% Office: 30%.
  • Position functions primarily in the field, but also in shop and
  • office settings. Hazards include exposure to inclement weather and difficult terrain, working with power equipment, tripping/falling, and other things consistent with working with tractors and other equipment in an outdoor setting.
  • Safely drive a vehicle on primitive roads during all weather conditions, utilizing 4×4 trucks and ATV’s.
  • Walk, lift, bend, stoop, sometimes on uneven terrain, while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools, fence and sign posts, and equipment.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm.
  • 4/10 schedule (Monday – Thursday, 6:00 am – 4:30 pm) may be available based on business need.
  • At times, work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments.
  • Willing to be punctual and perform in a dependable manner.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Overnight travel is very seldomly required.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Work requires standard field tools, such as shovels, fence post drivers, spray equipment, etc.
  • Work also requires use of chain saws, other power tools, ATVs, tractors, mowers, skid steers, backhoes, dozer, large trucks, attachments, agency vehicle and standard office equipment (computer, copier, scanner).
  • Field work also requires GPS, ArcGIS, smartphones, and digital camera.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Communicate with public during field work, via e-mail and telephone, and at public meetings.
  • Develop professional level working relationships with neighboring landowners, different user groups and throughout the extended community.
  • Regular interaction with distraught customers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.
 

And

• One (1) year of professional experience in a related natural resource specialty area.
  1. (Examples of related natural resource experience include working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming practices, operating heavy equipment, conducting wildlife habitat enhancement practices.) 

• Valid driver’s license.

• First Aid (training provided by WDFW when available).
• Hold or obtain Washington State Public Operators State pesticide license within 6 months of employment.
• ATV certification (training provided when available).

• CDL.
• Firefighter Type 2 (desirable, training provided).

 Job Knowledge and Experience:

• A strong working knowledge and experience working with forest management, shrub steppe habitat enhancement, and restoration for big game species is highly desirable.
• Wildlife agricultural enhancement programs/farming practices.
• Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration.
• Understanding and experience using integrated pest management practices while managing habitat.
• Strong understanding and experience working with different forms of recreational users such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
• Heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Small engine tools such as pumps, chainsaws, and brush cutters.
• Operating small hand and power tools (drills, hammer, etc..).
• Basics of carpentry, mechanical, and facility repair.
• Small and large equipment troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.
• Welding and fabrication.
• Computer software (MS/Office; GIS) and GPS.
• Safety procedures.
• Critical thinking and the ability to make decisions based on the best available information.
• Experience with biological data collection.
• Experience in identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.

Abilities:

• Critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Safely apply pesticides.
• Proficiently drive, operate, and haul ATV, manual truck, tractor, trailer, backhoe, and farm equipment.
• Repair and maintain buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• Perform habitat management activities.
• Identify wildlife and plant species.
• Observe, inspect, and problem solve.
• Oversee volunteers.
• Follow prescribed protocols and procedures.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data.
• Follow all safety guidelines procedures and identify hazards.
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing with agency staff, other agencies, industry, and the general public.
• Accept supervision.
• Work independently and as a team member.
• Effectively and safely operate and perform basic maintenance on ATVs, 4-wheel drive vehicles, manual transmission vehicles, and standard highway vehicles.
• Use GPS, GIS, computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar clients.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Accountability.
• Ethics and integrity.
• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Organizational and political awareness.
• Adaptability/flexibility.
• Resourcefulness and problem solving.
• Results oriented.
• Performance leadership.
• Conflict resolution.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: 

As a result of Gov. Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader) issued on August 9, 2021, all Washington State Agencies are requiring employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of your employment. Pursuant to this mandate, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination as a part of the hiring process. Please do not upload your vaccination documentation with your application materials – your vaccination status will be verified by your supervisor prior to your first day of work. Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

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

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 NOTES: 

The Department of Fish and Wildlife’s priority during the Covid-19 health crisis is to keep our staff, candidates, and the public safe.  We are hiring and encourage you to apply to open positions. We have transitioned to a virtual recruitment process, to include web-based interviews.

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, 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: 

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line should 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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line should 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. For further information, please contact us at RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 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.

*Images shown are Pre-COVID, WDFW Staff follow current COVID Safety Protocol including the use of face masks. 

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