Wildlife Program – Lands Division  
 Rochester, Washington – Thurston County 

Create, enhance, and maintain habitat for federal and state endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies and other sensitive prairie/oak fish and wildlife species on the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area!

Assist the Wildlife Area Manager and work with Diversity Division Biologists while contributing to the recovery of Puget lowland prairies, oak woodlands, and the fish and wildlife species that rely on them.

Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterflies – Photo Credit: Anita McMillan 

With that in mind, 

Picture yourself implementing existing programs to create, enhance, and maintain habitat.

This is an opportunity to conduct habitat and/or population surveys as needed following established protocol under guidance of WDFW Biologists.

With your experience you will facilitate the propagation of native plant species through seeding (hand sowing and tractor/UTV/ATV-mounted seed spreaders) and planting plugs using gasoline-powered augers.

We are seeking a candidate with demonstrated values matching those of WDFW: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Mardon Skipper Surveys at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area – Photo Credit: Taylor Cotten

Our Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Technician,  

Habitat Enhancement: 

• Implement 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.
• Manage woody debris by constructing and burning piles and/or using chippers.
• Identify native and non-native prairie/oak plant species using field guides and taxonomic keys.
• Interpret aerial maps and follow written protocols and verbal instruction.

Monitoring: 

Project Tracking: 

Maintain Equipment: 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards: 
  1. Outdoors up to 8 hours a day under various weather conditions and natural settings away from developed facilities.
  2. Hazards include exposure, heat stress, uneven terrain, and stinging insects – work will often involve bending, twisting, squatting, frequently lifting, and carrying up to 50 lbs. of equipment such as fire gear, backpack sprayers, and bags of native seeds.  
  3. Prescribed fire activities will occur near burning vegetation and involve smoke exposure.
• Schedule: 
  1. Flexible schedule, Monday – Friday, 8 to 10 hours/day, 40 hours per week.
• Travel Requirements: 
  1. Daily local travel to work sites. 
  2. Occasional regional travel up to 200 miles.
• Tools and Equipment: 
  1. Power tools (e.g., brush cutters, augers, chain saws), tractor with front end (e.g., grapple, bucket) and rear (e.g., brush mower, box scrapper) attachments, trailers, backpack, and UTV/ATV/tractor-mounted sprayers. 
  2. Type VI and Type VII wildland firefighting units, pumps, hoses, drip torches, bladder bags, and firefighting hand tools (flapper, council rake, Pulaski).
• Customer Interactions:
  1. May interact with public while executing duties.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Three (3) years of experience in the field of fish, wildlife, habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or a natural resource science.

Please Note: College level coursework in the same fields may substitute year-for-year for required experience. 

Certifications/Licenses: 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: 

• Washington State Department of Agriculture pesticide applicator’s license, or ability to acquire – training provided.
• Wildland firefighter qualifications (Fire Fighter Type II minimum) from a valid certifying agency, or ability to acquire – training provided.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:  

• Identifying flora and fauna of Puget lowland prairies.
• Proficient in the safe operation and maintenance of power equipment such as brush cutters, augers, and chainsaws.
• Safely operating tractors, UTVs, and ATVs in a natural setting while conducting habitat restoration work.
• Safely trailer and transport tractors, UTVs, ATVs and other equipment.
• Proficient in use of GPS and GIS technologies; as well as Microsoft Office products.
• With implementing restoration techniques including seeding, planting, vegetation control, and prescribed fire.

Ability to: 

• Follow scientific protocol and accurately collect field data.
• Closely follow standard protocols and perform work under moderate or low supervision.

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.

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 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:

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 (Download PDF reader), 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:

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.

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.

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