Wildlife Area/Private Lands Technician – Natural Resource Tech 3 (In-Training) – Permanent-*02292-25

Description

Title- Wildlife Area/Private Lands Technician 

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 (In-Training)

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent 

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Private Lands Division
Duty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin County

In-Training- We are recruiting to hire at the Natural Resource Technician 2 or 3 level. We will train a new hire at level 2 up to the Natural Resource Technician 3 level

Salary- Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows: 

Natural Resource Technician 2 - $3,028.00 - $3,999.00 Monthly
Natural Resource Technician 3 - $3,393.00 - $4,517.00 Monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Sunset at Buena Pond – Photo Credit: Alan Bauer

This is an opportunity to provide technical support and implement activities within the Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access sites to enhance fish and wildlife habitats while ensuring public recreational opportunities. 

From August to January, collaborate with the Private Lands Biologist to engage landowners, expand public access, and support habitat enhancements through weed suppression and planting efforts. 

From February to July, focus on habitat protection and maintenance, facility upkeep, invasive species management, and infrastructure improvements to the Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area.

What to Expect-

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

Maintain access sites, signage, grounds, facilities, and equipment on the Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access properties:

• Maintain and operate equipment and tools (pickup trucks, large and small tractors, ATV’s, trailers, spray equipment, drills, augers, and hand tools).
• Maintain clean and safe wildlife area facilities and inform Wildlife Area Manager of needs.
• Post and remove signs and/or replace old or missing signs when needed.
• Maintain wildlife area access sites by removing debris, repairing access area boundaries, and restocking kiosk materials.
• Install and maintain hunting access points, parking lots, and kiosks.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• Distribute, collect, and enter Register to Hunt and Hunt by Written Permission slips into the private lands access use database and Wildlife Area Register to Hunt slips into the wildlife area database.
• Assess migratory bird use of agricultural fields to determine high priority areas for gaining hunter access.
• Mark, using GPS, the boundaries of private lands enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program and assist in creating maps.

Implement wildlife habitat improvements on the Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access sites:

• Assess and monitor wildlife habitat conditions.
• Spray noxious weeds (proper mixing, recording, and storing).
• Assist with habitat shrub plantings, native grass and forb seedings, and forage crop seedings.
• Assist with monitoring and management of wildlife area wetlands by maintaining water levels.
• Mowing, disking, seeding, laying fabric mulch.
• Assist Wildlife Area staff and Private Lands Biologist with native seed collection and seeding efforts.
• Monitor habitat sites for wildlife use, watering, and Integrated Pest Management needs.

Other duties as assigned: 

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards:

• This is primarily a field position with up to 90% of the time in the field. The other 10% is spent in the office entering data with typical office hazards (such as working under fluorescent light, repetitively entering data and looking at the computer monitor for long periods of time).   
• Work long hours in inclement weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain and snow, along busy state highways and through thick vegetation.
• Climb over and around fences and debris on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces while carrying up to 30lbs of field gear (occurs approximately once a week). 
• May also be required to use backpack sprayers or ATV sprayers to apply herbicides under direct supervision and implicit instructions.

Schedule: Typically, Monday - Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Hours may vary including occasional weekend, evening or early morning work.

Travel Requirements: Vehicle travel up to 250 miles per day. Overnight travel rarely required.

Tools and Equipment: Pickup trucks, all-terrain vehicle (ATV), no till drills, trailers, herbicide spray equipment, tractors, farm implements, small engines, hand tools, smartphone, laptop computer, handheld GPS and satellite communication devices.

Customer Interactions: 

• Frequent interactions with the public and hunters. Communicate during field work, via email, telephone, and at public meetings and events. 
• Effectively communicate with landowners, the public, agency personnel and project partners, and local government officials. 
• Communicate current federal/state hunting regulations and regulatory actions. 

Qualifications:

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.

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 2: 

Option 1: High school graduation or GED and two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2. 

Option 2: High school graduation or GED and two (2) years of related professional equivalent experience, including: 

• Working on a farm/ranch
• Conducting agricultural enhancement / farming activities
• Operating heavy equipment
• Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities
• General repairer

Option 3: Equivalent Education/Experience

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.

In addition to the options above, the following experience is required: 

• Visually discriminating when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
• Effectively and safely operating standard highway vehicles, ATV’s and trailers. 
• Safely using hand and power tools, including chainsaws. 
• Using GPS, computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar clients.

Certifications/Licenses:

 Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Ability to obtain the following in one (1) year of hire:

• Public Operator Pesticide Applicators License
• ATV Safety Certification
• First Aid/CPR Certification

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 3 (Goal Class): 

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 wildlife, agriculture, or other natural resource studies.

Option 4: Associate degree in natural resources, and two (2) years of technical experience in land management, wildlife, or other natural resource field.

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. 

In addition to the options above, the following experience is required: 

• Visually discriminating when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
• Effectively and safely operating standard highway vehicles, ATV’s and trailers. 
• Safely using hand and power tools, including chainsaws. 
• Using GPS, computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar clients.

Certifications/Licenses:

 Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Ability to obtain the following in one (1) year of hire:

• Public Operator Pesticide Applicators License
• ATV Safety Certification
• First Aid/CPR Certification

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Completed college level coursework in the field of fish, wildlife, habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or natural resource science leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree.

Successfully passed a Hunter’s Safety Course.

Experience working with volunteers and elementary school science classes

Knowledge of vehicle maintenance and repairs.

License/Certifications: 

Working knowledge: 

• Various Private Lands Access Programs (Feel Free to Hunt, Hunt by Reservation, etc.).
• Weed management techniques.
• Heavy equipment and farm implements.

Knowledge of:

• Wildlife agricultural enhancement programs / farming practices.
• 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 buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• Follow all safety guidelines and identify hazards while proficiently operating, maintaining, and performing basic troubleshooting and repairs on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment (including tractors and boats), small power equipment (such as tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and brush trimmers), shop equipment, ATV’s.
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Oversee volunteers to include working with inmate work crews.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data. 

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

Supplemental 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 [email protected].  
• 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 [email protected], 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 [email protected]. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [email protected] and reference job #2025-02292.

Follow us on social media:  LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

lb