9-month Full-Time/Permanent

Career Seasonal Natural Resource Technician 2 *04505-21

Scotch Creek Wildlife Area

1514 Conconully Hwy

Okanogan, WA 98840

Anticipated start date is August 1st through November 30th. 

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations. WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species.

The Natural Resource Technician 2 provides field support on the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area located in Okanogan County.  Under the direction of the Wildlife Area Assistant Manager maintains the facility and structures, uses and maintains equipment, and implements projects to maintain or improve habitats, species, or recreation on the wildlife area.   The primary management objectives on the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area are protection and enhancement of shrub-steppe, forest and riparian habitat, and management of recreational use.

Key Duties Include but not limited to: 

Establish and maintain fish and wildlife habitat restoration projects.

Tasks include: 

• Apply herbicides on State listed noxious weeds and undesirable weeds to improve habitat conditions and comply with State Law.
• Operate, maintain, and repair irrigation lines, valves, filters, and drip irrigation systems for tree and shrub plantings to achieve desired growth and survival of plants.   Includes hand pulling weeds and mowing to reduce competition.
• Determine equipment and tools needed to complete the work activity in a safe and efficient manner.
• Plant, fertilize, mow, and prune herbaceous cover and riparian to improve habitat conditions.

• Assess field and vegetation conditions to determine the timing of herbicide applications, mowing, seeding, and pruning to achieve desired habitat improvements in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Maintain existing recreational developments.

Tasks include: 

• Maintain crushed rock trails with a smooth compacted weed free surface to meet ADA requirements. Includes herbicide applications on trails, mowing trail edges, hand removal of weeds, and raking and compacting trail surface.
• Mow and prune woody vegetation adjacent to trails, viewpoints, bridges, and parking areas to maintain clearance for public safety.
• Maintain and repair bridges for public safety and implement recommendations of bridge inspections provided by CAMP.
• Maintain gravel parking areas with a smooth compacted weed free surface to meet ADA requirements. Includes herbicide applications, hand removal of weeds, raking and compacting gravel surface.
• Apply herbicide to poisonous plants (e.g., poison ivy, night shade) and undesirable plants in high public use areas for public safety.
• Determine equipment and tools needed to complete the work activity in a safe and efficient manner.
• Maintain hiking trail surface and stairs and prune encroaching woody vegetation for public safety.
• Maintain and repair wood benches, tables, and rail fences for public safety and enjoyment of the site.
• Maintain and repair interpretive signs, trail signs and kiosks to provide information to the public.

• Pick up and remove litter and debris to maintain aesthetic quality of the area.

Operate a variety of equipment and vehicles to accomplish work activities.

Tasks include: 

• Utilize trailers for hauling equipment and materials including safely loading, securing, and transporting.
• Safely use hand-held power tools (e.g., chain saws, hedge trimmer, brush cutters,etc) and other gas powered equipment (e.g., generator, pump) to accomplish work activities.
• Utilize ATV and UTV vehicles in a safe manner to accomplish work activities.
• Drive 50hp-400hp tractors with attached implements to mow, disc, cultivate, harrow, or spray fields to establish or maintain restored habitats.
• Connect and disconnect hydraulic lines, category 2 and 3 hitches, and 3 point hitches for safe operation of tractor implements.
• Assess field and vegetation conditions to determine the appropriate implement use and adjust implements as needed to optimize effectiveness.

Maintenance and repairs.

Tasks include: 

• Maintain and make minor repairs to buildings to increase useful life and provide safe working conditions.
• Replace or repair worn or damaged parts on tractor implements, tractors, vehicles, and other essential equipment as needed to extend the life of the item and for safe operation.
• Change motor oil, spark plugs, and air filers on small gas power tools to extend the life of the item and for safe operation.
• Sharpen or replace, after severe wear, mower blades and chainsaw chains.

Other Duties as Assigned

Tasks include: 

• Maintain pesticide application records consistent with Washington laws and regulations

• Maintain daily activity logs to document location of work, miles driven, fuel use, equipment use hours, and time spent on individual projects.
• May be assigned to participate in suppression activities and structure protection on the wildlife area complex during a wildfire event.
• May be assigned to participate in prescribed fire projects on the wildlife area.
• Complete bi-weekly reports.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: 

• Field and shop conditions.  Potential hazards are associated with hot and cold weather, gasoline, diesel, chemical solvents, agricultural chemicals, and equipment use.
• Work in all weather conditions including extreme heat or snow and sometimes over difficult terrain and surfaces up to 90% of the time.
• The duty station for this position is at the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area.
• Field work could be assigned at any of the units within the Okanogan Valley complex and may require up to 1 1/2 hours’ drive, one way to the furthest work site.
• May require carrying up to 50-pound backpack, hiking over rough terrain, and working in adverse weather conditions.
• Requires extensive ATV operation over uneven rangeland.
• May require supervision of WCC crews or County Jail Trustees.
• All equipment maintenance is performed at the Scotch Creek HQ shop.
• Position functions both in the field and in the office.
• Hazards include exposure to inclement weather, working with power equipment, tripping/falling, and other things consistent with working with tractors and other equipment in an outdoor setting.

Schedule:

• Monday-Thursday, 6:00 am – 4:30 pm, 10 hours/day.
• During peak workloads hours may be long and irregular.

Travel Requirements:

• Wildlife area units are located various areas of Okanogan County.
• Travel may include daily round trips of up to 100 miles.

Tools and Equipment:

• May be required to operate heavy machinery to include mini excavators, dozers, backhoe and trucks of various sizes.
• Other equipment operation will include tractors, farm implements, and ATV’s. Vehicles include ½ to 1-ton pickup trucks.
• Equipment used on a daily basis may include but is not limited to: 50hp-300hp agricultural tractors; farming implements including disk, harrow, cultivators, chisel plow, mower, and seed drills; equipment trailers, ATVs, irrigation pumps, and irrigation lines.
• Tools include hand tools or handheld power tools (chain saws, welders, drills).

Customer Interactions: 

Licenses & Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Pesticide license
• First Aid (training provided)
• ATV certification (training provided)

Required Qualifications:

OR

Job Experience:  

• Knowledge and experience with farming practices
• Knowledge of wetland management practices for eastern Washington
• Knowledge of fire management practices
• Proficient at using GPS equipment to determine project area
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software programs including Word and Excel

Behavioral competencies: 

• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Communication effectiveness.
• Organizational and political awareness.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Accountability.

Preferred Qualifications

AND

Three years of experience in wildlife or habitat management, weed control, agriculture, forestry, or land management.

 OR

 Job knowledge and Experience:

• Work experience with Estuary restoration project implementation and monitoring.
• Work experience with Wetland/Moist soil development and management.
• Work experience with Wildlife and habitat survey techniques.
• Work experience with conflict resolution.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office and 360-Teams software.

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. 
• Certificates

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 professionalism, accountability, empathy, integrity, service, and respect.

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 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

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.

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