Salary: $3,558.00 – $4,777.00 Monthly
Location: Skagit County – Mt. Vernon, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2023-06155
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 05/04/2023
Closing Date: 5/18/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Are you experienced in managing vegetation and noxious weeds in wetlands, riparian areas, and other wildlands? This position is responsible for the sustained management of landscapes by performing professional and skilled technical duties to manage vegetation and noxious weed. Join our team and help ensure the natural beauty of our Wildlife Areas are maintained!

This is an opportunity to research, analyze, and provide recommended actions based on project results and scientific literature to achieve better results (adaptive management).

With your experience, you will survey, control, and eradicate of noxious weeds and management of other vegetation using integrated pest management (IPM).

You thrive on building collaboration and teamwork, training employees on the use of pesticides, operation of spray equipment, machinery, small boats and airboat operation and plant identification.

Duties
Our Invasive Species Specialist,

• Prioritizes, plans, schedules, and leads a crew in the eradication of Spartina (RCW 17.26) and invasive cattail control in safe, efficient, and legal manner using chemical and mechanical methods using IPM.
• Operates specialized equipment such as boats, airboats, tractors, ATVs, drones, and amphibious tractors.
• Performs preventative maintenance (e.g. oil changes, filter replacement, pitching props) and conducts major repairs to airboats such as replacing motors, alternators, props, drives and the plastic bottoms.
• Performs preventative maintenance (e.g. oil changes, filter replacement, adjusting track tension) and conducts major repairs to Marshmaster (amphibious tractor) such as replacing drive motors and sprockets, changing bogey wheels, bogey tubes and tracks.
• Collects data using iForm, FieldMaps, GPS and the weed app.
• Collects and downloads treatment location files and sampling files to ArcGIS.
• Uses ArcGIS to map project areas and weed locations.
• Writes reports describing weed management activities.
• Supports other Programs missions by operating special equipment and providing local expertise in the field to guide work (e.g. swan & waterfowl capture & tagging, oil spill support, European green crab support).

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:
  • Spartina work will be performed in the intertidal regions of Puget Sound in all weather conditions in boats and around the water.
  • This position works in the field approximately 60% of the time.  Must be willing and able to walk over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, and mud.  Must be able to bend and stoop while at times carrying up to 40 pounds, and load and transport gear which may exceed 40 pounds. Ability to work alone in remote locations.  Ability to follow oral and written directions.
  • Willingness to perform in a safe and efficient manner. Willingness to accept supervision.  Ability to work independently and as a team member.
  • Willingness and ability to perform in a punctual and dependable manner. Ability to use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data. Ability to visually identify and distinguish biological and physical features. Creative thinking while in field to fix equipment until it can be properly fixed. Willingness and ability to perform routine and repetitive work. Willingness to perform in a safe and efficient manner. Ability to complete required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner. Ability to conform to department biosecurity and personal safety standards. Ability to conform to department policies designed to limit the spread of invasive species.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Monday – Friday, 40 hours/week.
  • Start times are set by the best available tides and may require early morning starts for weed work.
  • Incumbent is expected to adjust work schedule to meet project needs to include overtime, evening, and weekend work.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Some projects in other areas of the state require occasional weekend travel and stay for up to a week at a time.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • This position operates small mechanical equipment such as brush cutters; operates chemical application equipment; supervises use and maintenance of equipment; removes seedlings and small clones by hand; operates specialized equipment such as a 4-wheel drive trucks, amphibious tractors, airboats, motorboats, and all-terrain vehicles.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Interaction with other agencies and the public will occur.
  • Regularly explain weed control work to the public.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

And

Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Washington pesticide public applicators license with aquatic, rights-of-way, ornamental endorsements (to be obtained within 3 months of hire).

Experience in/with:

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) drone license.
• Leading and managing field crews to complete field projects.
• Operating boats and airboats in marine and riverine environments and ability to obtain the motorboat operator training course (MOTC).
• Operating amphibious tractors, mowers, and other machinery.
• Operating drones.
• Herbicide application.
• Trailering equipment.
• Maintaining and repairing equipment.
• Collecting data using GPS devices and using programs to map data.
• Using collected data and other information to write reports.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with wildlife research studies and applying scientific principles.
• Familiarity navigating to the assigned work site to the established work sites in the Region and throughout Washington.
• Relationship-Building Skills/Abilities: Ability to develop positive, productive, respectful working relationships with coworkers and collaborators.
• Ability to identify and resolve complex or sensitive issues personnel issues with crewmembers and supervisors.
• Ability to closely follow standard protocols and perform work under moderate to low supervision.
• Understanding of basic mechanical/small engine repair.
• Excellent fieldwork skills including safety, punctuality, ability to accept supervision.
• Basic understanding of the marine environment and biology/botany.

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

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4029998/invasive-species-specialist-natural-resource-specialist-1-permanent-06155