Title- Wildlife Area Technician 

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 

Job Status- Full-Time – Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
Duty Station- Wenatchee, Washington – Chelan County – Chelan Wildlife Area

Please Note- Salary listed does not include spray operators pay – spray operator pay is base pay plus 10% while performing spray operation duties.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Chelan Wildlife Area – Photo Credit: WDFW

This role provides field support for the Chelan Wildlife Area across Chelan and Okanogan Counties, focusing on habitat conservation and recreational management. 

Responsibilities include maintaining facilities, operating equipment, and implementing projects that enhance shrubsteppe, forest, and riparian habitats. 

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Wildlife Area Technician will, 

Establish and maintain wildlife habitat enhancement projects.

• Plant, mow, and prune herbaceous cover and riparian zones 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.

• Use Integrated Pest Management principles and 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.

Maintain existing recreational developments:

• Apply herbicide to poisonous plants (e.g., poison ivy, night shade) and undesirable plants in public use areas for public safety.
• Maintain unvegetated fire breaks and signage at Swakane Rifle-Pistol Range.
• Maintain ADA trails for public use, including bridges and gravel trails

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

• Utilize trailers for hauling equipment and materials including safely loading, securing, and transporting.
• Haul equipment using a variety of trailers, including goose neck 40’ trailers
• Safely use hand-held power tools (e.g., chain saws, hedge trimmer, brush cutter, etc.) and other gas-powered equipment (e.g., generator, pump) 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 category 3, and 3-point hitches for safe operation of tractor implements.
• Use ATVs and UTVs on and off road for access and while spraying

Maintenance and repairs:

• 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 filters on small gas power tools to extend the life of the item and for safe operation.
• Help to maintain buildings and facilities utilized by the Wildlife Area.

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards:

• Position functions in the field, shop, and office. Work will most often be in the field for the Chelan Wildlife Area and traveling to its various units.
• Hazards may include exposure to inclement weather, rough terrain and surfaces, hiking while carrying 35 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds rarely, working independently in the field, exposure to various chemicals and chemical solvents, tripping/falling, high noise level, operating various vehicles, machines equipment and power tools. 
• Occasionally work on prescribed fires and potential exposure to deceased animals.
• May require supervision of Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crews

Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 7:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M., 10 hours per day. During peak workloads hours may be long and irregular.
 
Travel Requirements: Wildlife area units are in various areas of Chelan and Okanogan Counties. Travel may include daily round trips of up to 150 miles.
 
Tools and Equipment: Tracked skid steer, dozers, mini excavators, backhoes, trucks of various sizes (e.g., ½ to 1.5-ton pickup trucks), trailers, tractors, farm implements, ATV’s, UTV’s, disk harrow cultivator, mower, seed drill, irrigation pumps and lines, chain saw, welder, cutting torch, plasma cutter, drill press, and various hand tools.
 
Customer Interactions: Occasional interactions may occur while on the work site with the public in both the field and office settings.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, or higher class performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use or development. 

Option 2: Three (3) years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent.

Option 3: A Bachelor’s degree with major study in agriculture, aquatic land studies, or natural resource studies

Option 4: Associate degree in natural resources and two (2) years of technical experience in land management.

Please Note: College coursework involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, wildlife, chemistry, natural sciences, or a closely allied field will substitute, year for year for experience or equivalent education/experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

The following must be obtained within six (6) months of hire (agency provided): 

• Washington State Pesticide Applicators License.
• First Aid Certification.
• ATV Certification. 

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Knowledge and experience with farming practices

Knowledge and experience in weed control and plant identification

Proficient at using GPS equipment and/or applications (i.e. Avenza, Field Maps, OnX) to determine project area.

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software programs including Word and Excel

Class A CDL

Experience with: 

• Working independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks
• Wildlife habitat relationships
• Using heavy equipment and farm implements
• Welding, metal work, and basic carpentry
• Vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Small engine maintenance and repairs
• Irrigation systems 

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume. 
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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

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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov.  
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2024-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

Request an accommodation: 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.

Technical Difficulties: 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. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-02584.

Follow us on social media:  LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

lb