Here is what you will be doing, 

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

• Assist in implementing wildlife area projects.
• Restore, enhance and maintain wildlife habitats.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed. 
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility terrain vehicles (UTV), tractors, boats, and Marsh Masters.
• Gathers pre/post-treatment data on vegetation and weeds and treatment methods using phone apps, forms, cameras, and notebooks for later analysis.

Maintain vehicles, and equipment: 

• Maintain wildlife area infrastructure for equipment and supply storage.
• Inspect and maintain crew vehicles, equipment, spray equipment, and maintenance records.
• Inspect, monitor and ensure safety of Wildlife Area facilities and equipment.

Coordinate and communicate within WDFW, with other agencies and with the public:

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 and sticky mud, and water. Some work is performed in an office or shop setting.
  • Walk, lift, bend, and stoop – sometimes on uneven terrain and at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
  • Fieldwork hazards may include tripping/falling, working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working from boats or around water. 
  • 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, ATVs, UTVs, and must be able to load and transport heavy equipment.
  • Must be able and willing to safely perform tasks around water.
  • Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
• Schedule:
  • Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.
  • Available for non-scheduled workweek and ability to work long irregular hours. Some mandatory overtime may be required.
• Travel Requirements:
  • Travel up to 15% of time. Occasional weekend and overnight travel.
• Tools and Equipment:
  • Standard field tools such as shovels, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, chemical application equipment, swamp buggies, airboats, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), trucks, trailers, and boats.
• Customer Interactions:
  • Communicate with the public during field work by email, telephone, and at public meetings.

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.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2: 

AND 

OR 

• Three (3) years of related professional equivalent experience such as:
  1. Working on a farm/ranch.
  2. Conducting agricultural enhancement / farming activities.
  3. Operating heavy equipment,
  4. Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.
  5. General repairer.  

OR 

Please Note: College level work in the field of fish, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or a natural resource science may substitute year-for-year for experience

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• All-terrain vehicle (ATV), utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) certification (agency provided).
• Maintain First Aid, CPR and AED Training Certification (agency provided).
• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license with aquatic, ornamental and right-of-way endorsements within six (6) months of hire (agency provided). 
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability within 12 months of hire.

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 3 (Goal Class):

OR 

OR 

OR 

• Three (3) years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent.
  1. Examples of a “general repairer may include: 
     • Working on a farm/ranch. 
     • Conducting agricultural enhancement/farming activities.
     • Operating heavy equipment
     • Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• All-terrain vehicle (ATV), utility-terrain vehicle (UTV) certification (agency provided).
• Maintain First Aid, CPR and AED Training Certification (agency provided).
• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license with aquatic, ornamental and right-of-way endorsements within six (6) months of hire (agency provided). 
• Successful completion of agency training and/or certification for assigned watercraft is dependent on supervisory direction, position need and training availability within 12 months of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

Experience/Proficiency in: 

• The use of agricultural practices and equipment
• Identifying aquatic and terrestrial weed species around Washington and native plant species.
• The use of boats and understanding rivers.

Knowledge of:

• Herbicide application.
• Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration.
• Basics of carpentry, mechanical and facility repair. 
• 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 facilities, and equipment.
• Follow all safety guidelines, identify hazards, perform basic troubleshooting, repair, maintenance and operation of the following: motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass/brush trimmers,), shop equipment, ATV’s, and boats. 
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Oversee volunteers to include working with conservation crews.
• Conduct field surveys to collect 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.

License: 

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

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

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 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

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: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types. 

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months. 

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA),  and an Employee Assistance Program.

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:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.
• Subject line must 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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Subject line must 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. 

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 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.

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.

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