Salary: $2,827.00 – $3,734.00 Monthly
Location: Grays Harbor County – Montesano, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Non-Permanent
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Job Number: 2023-01663
Closing: 5/3/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

 NATURAL RESOURCE TECHNICIAN 2
Wildlife Program
 Montesano, Washington – Grays Harbor County
Anticipated Appointment Length: 5.5 Months
May 16, 2023 – October 31, 2023

Are you an experienced natural resources technician with an interest and passion to protect habitats from invasive vegetation?   Are you familiar with invasive vegetation such as Spartina and knotweed? In this role, you will use your knowledge and experience to help eradicate invasive vegetation from watersheds on WDFW lands. This position will provide technical support and assistance to the biologist on land management projects across multiple watersheds to meet weed laws and improve habitat for fish and wildlife.

This is an opportunity to implement existing programs to create, enhance, and maintain habitat for federal and state endangered species.

In this dynamic role you will promote the success of native plants through invasive species management. 

With your experience you will identify native and non-native species using field guides and taxonomic keys.

Duties

Our Vegetation Management Technician,

• Implements vegetation control methods that include mechanical (tractor mowing, brush cutting, walk-behind mowers, chain saw, hand tools), chemical (backpack sprayer, UTV- and/or tractor-mounted boom sprayer, cut stump treatment), and prescribed fire methods.
• Manages woody debris by constructing and burning piles and/or using chippers.
• Interprets aerial maps and follow written protocols and verbal instruction.
• Operates airboats, marsh buggies, tractors, trucks, trailers, ATV/UTVs and performs maintenance and basic repair on each.
• Greases, cleans, organizes, oils, and services regularly used equipment as needed; including but not limited to brush cutters, augers, chain saws, and tractors with attachments.
• Collects geospatial data using GIS technologies to show where and what types of habitat enhancement actions have been completed.
• Maintains herbicide application records.
• Gathers pre- and post-treatment data on vegetation, weeds and treatment methods using apps, forms, cameras, and notebooks for later analysis.
• Submits biweekly reports summarizing project tasks completed.
• Follows standardized survey protocol to accurately collect data onto electronic data forms.
• Accurately identifies survey focal species using field guides and/or taxonomic keys.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  1. Much of the work will be performed around water, in the intertidal, forested, and prairie regions of Washington in all weather conditions.
  2. Work in remote field locations approximately 75% of the time. Must be willing and able to walk over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and mud.
  3. Must be able to bend and stoop while at times carrying up to 40 pounds and load and transport gear.
  4. Must be willing to work with pesticides.
  5. Ability to load and transport equipment and gear.
  6. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  1. Monday – Friday, 40 hours/week.
  2. Start times are set by the best available tides and may require early morning starts.
  3. Some mandatory overtime may be required.
• Travel Requirements:
  1. Frequent projects throughout the state require overnight stays of up to four (4) nights and occasional weekend travel.
• Tools and Equipment:
  1. Operate and maintain small mechanical equipment such as brush cutters; operates chemical application equipment; remove seedlings and small clones by hand; operate specialized equipment such as a trucks, trailers, swamp buggies, airboats, tractors, and all-terrain vehicles and perform repairs and preventative maintenance.
• Customer Interactions:
  1. Interaction with other agencies and the public will occur regularly to explain vegetation control work and other land management actions.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

And

Or

• One (1) year as a Natural Resource Worker 1.
  1. (Natural Resource Worker – Definition: Under close supervision and as a member of an organized crew, performs unskilled forest, agriculture, and/or aquatic land management labor.)

Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one within one month of employment).
• Public Pesticide Applicator’s license with an aquatic and turf & ornamental endorsement, or obtain within 6 months.

Certifications:

• First aid training certification or ability to obtain within 2 months.
• ATV certification within 6 months.
• Wildland Fire Fighter Training (FFT2- red card) or ability to obtain within 10 months.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with:

• Operating small equipment and small boats in marine areas.
• Boat and amphibious tractor operation.
• Herbicide application.
• Basic mechanical/small engine repair.
• Marine environment and biology/botany.

Ability to:

• Develop positive, productive, respectful working relationships with coworkers and collaborators and lead small crews to accomplish work tasks.
• Partner with field crew staff and the supervisor to identify and resolve complex or sensitive issues.
• Follow standard protocols and perform work under moderate to low supervision.

Familiar with:

• Navigating to established work sites in Western Washington.
• Comfortable navigating Willapa Bay, Grays Harbor, and nearby waterbodies.
• Using handheld GPS or other position collecting device.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: WDFW requires all employees to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment.   You will be required to provide proof of vaccination as 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 before you will be allowed to work.  Exemptions may be granted for religious or medical purposes.

To Apply
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 current resume. 
• Three professional references. 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3898614/vegetation-management-technician-natural-resource-technician-2-two-openings-no