Warehouse Operator 2

Washington State Health Care Authority; Olympia (WA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Educational and career development aid

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

Washington State Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Warehouse Operator 2 at Webster Forest Nursery in Olympia, WA. This full-time seasonal role supports peak packing and shipping, including seedling cold storage, order fulfillment, and shipment handling.

You will work under the Warehouse Operator Lead as part of a small crew and may take on lead duties during peak periods. The position requires forklift operation experience, attention to detail, and ability to work outdoors in all

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience operating a forklift safely.
• Basic math skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Safely operate a forklift and pallet jacks daily.
• Assist with seedling cold storage and inventory control in cooler spaces.
• Assemble and load orders and maintain shipping records.
• Support warehouse lead and act as point person in their absence.
• Maintain accurate shipping records and ensure on-time shipments.
• Coordinate with supervisors and staff to maintain inventory flow and handling of seedlings.
• Adapt to changing daily demands in a fast-paced production environment.

Skills

Forklift operation

Basic math

Job description

Warehouse Operator 2

Recruitment #2026-10-A473

Full-time, Seasonal, Represented position (WPEA)

Anticipated Seasonal appointment is December 2026 - June 2027

Location: Olympia, WA

Salary: $3,827.00 - $4,406.00 Monthly

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has an exciting opportunity within our Webster Forest Nursery as a Warehouse Operator 2.

Webster Forest Nursery needs talented employees to help produce trees for reforestation efforts across the Pacific Northwest. This is your opportunity to be part of a great tradition. Webster Forest Nursery, established in 1957 on the current site, produces trees for state trust lands across all six regions of the DNR as well as large and small private landowners. The nursery consists of 150 acres of tillable land, 75,000 square feet of climate-controlled greenhouses, and an active research program focused on operational production of native forest seedlings. Attention to detail is essential in our fast-paced production setting. Safety is critical to protect people, the seedling crop, equipment, and facilities. This position is for individuals who appreciate the challenges and rewards of large-scale plant production, enjoy being outdoors in all types of weather, and are active throughout their workday.

The Nursery is looking to bring in a career seasonal Warehouse Operator 2 to support its operations during the peak packing and shipping season. This position works under the Warehouse Operator Lead as part of a 3-person crew. This is a journey-level position that recurs annually each production season. There will be leadership development to step into a lead role in the absence of the Warehouse Operator Lead. The Warehouse Operator 2 is responsible for assisting with seedling cold storage, cooler inventory, order fulfillment, and shipping and handling operations of forest seedlings produced at Webster Forest Nursery. Annual seedling inventories include over two hundred inventory codes identifying roughly 12-14 million seedlings. The right candidate has previous experience in the daily operation of a forklift, excellent attention to detail, and interest in developing their team management skills. The work performed by this position supports the agency’s mission and guiding principles to manage WA State’s resources for the beneficiaries of the trust and so that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy and benefit from Washington’s rich natural heritage.

Responsibilities

• Safe operation of a 3500 – 5000 lb. capacity forklift and pallet jacks daily.
• Communicating with and assisting supervisors and key staff to maintain the flow of seedlings (a perishable product) and inventory integrity for storage and shipment. Store and organize over 100,000 seedlings a day in 22,000 sq. feet of cooler and freezer storage.
• Assemble and load orders of varying size, customer base, and shipping method. Maintain accurate shipping records.
• Flexible to changing daily demands in a fast-paced work environment.
• Friendly and professional interactions with public customers, internal region customers, nursery staff, and trucking personnel.
• Reliability, good attendance, and punctuality.
• Point person in warehouse operations in the absence of the Warehouse Lead.
• Takes over warehouse lead duties for 6 weeks during spring transplanting. Responsible for accurate shipments going out on time, thawing of eastside trees, and directing staff in warehouse operations.

Required Qualifications

You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. Please clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.

• Demonstrated experience operating a forklift safely.
• Basic math skills.

Required Competencies

• Attention to detail.
• Professional verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrates the ability to resolve conflicts, write effectively, and communicate with diverse groups both internal and external.
• Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and ensure requests are followed.

DNR Core Competencies

• Personal Accountability
• Value Others
• Compassionate Communication
• Inspire Others
• Commitment to Excellence

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment

• Successfully pass the Forklift Certification test provided by DNR.
• Work is primarily in cold storage, a processing facility, and an agricultural setting outdoors, in all weather conditions. Must be able to work in coolers/freezers. Must be able to operate forklifts intermittently throughout an 8-hour workday. Must have the ability to lift, carry, push, and/or pull up to 50 pounds without the aid of equipment. Most of the work is performed around large semi-trucks, pedestrians, public cars, and farm equipment. Must maintain situational awareness. Must be able to walk on rough, uneven terrain in all weather conditions and effectively communicate in a large industrial setting.

Desired Qualifications

• 3-6 months of experience with the daily use of a forklift.
• Previous experience with basic repair skills (hammer, nail, crowbar).
• Experience working with a perishable product.
• Spanish language skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources 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 with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Commitment to organizational health and wellness
• Work/life balance
• DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
• Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
• Leadership that empowers and supports employees
• Professional development opportunities
• Educational and career development aid
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
• Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
• A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.

Additional Information

This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.

DNR does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as Social Security numbers. We thank you and are grateful for your service!