Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician - Natural Resource Technician 3 - Permanent - 2026-09152

State of Washington; Pasco (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking a Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician to provide technical support for Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area and private lands access sites. The role focuses on habitat improvements, weed suppression, and public recreation opportunities, collaborating with the Private Lands Biologist to engage landowners and expand access.

Responsibilities include maintaining sites and equipment, applying herbicides under supervision, and assisting with

Qualifications

• Two years of experience in habitat management, land management, agriculture, or natural resource operations.
• An associate’s degree or higher in natural resource management, forestry, wildlife management, agriculture, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• One year of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.
• At least six months of experience operating equipment (vehicles, ATV’s or trailers).
• At least six months of experience with hand and power tools in outdoor, construction, or habitat work settings.

Responsibilities

• Maintain access sites, signage, grounds, facilities, and equipment on the Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access properties.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• 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.
• Mow, disk, seed and lay fabric mulch.
• Communicate private lands program requirements and benefits to landowners.

Skills

Habitat management

Land management

Agriculture

Natural resource operations

Education

Associate degree or higher in natural resource related field

Job description

Title- Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent WDFW Program- Wildlife Program Duty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin County

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: Yakima River – Photo Credit: Alan Bauer

This is an opportunity to provide technical support within the Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access sites to enhance fish and wildlife habitats and public recreational opportunities.

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

Support the management and conservation of the Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area through habitat protection and maintenance, facility upkeep and infrastructure improvements.

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 such as pickup trucks, large and small tractors, ATV’s, trailers, spray equipment, drills, augers, and hand tools.
• 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 forms into the private lands access database and enter Wildlife Area Register to Hunt forms 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 Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access sites:

• Assess and monitor wildlife habitat conditions.
• Spray noxious weeds including the proper mixing, recording, and storing of chemicals.
• 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.
• Mow, disk, seed and lay fabric mulch.
• Monitor habitat sites for wildlife use, watering, and Integrated Pest Management needs.

Communication and outreach:

• Communicate private lands program requirements and benefits to landowners.
• Assist with mapping private lands enrolled in WDFW access programs.
• Assist with preparation of contracts for enrollment in WDFW private lands access programs.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards:

• Primarily a field position with up to 90% of time spent outside and the other 10% of the time spent in the office entering data.
• Work long hours in inclement weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain and snow, along busy state highways and thick vegetation. Climb over and around fences and debris on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces while carrying up to 30lbs. of field gear.
• May be required to use backpack sprayers or ATV sprayers to apply herbicides under direct supervision and implicit instructions.

Schedule: This is a full-time position (40 hours per week). During the spring and summer months, the typical schedule is four 10-hour days per week. During the late fall and winter months, the schedule typically shifts to five 8-hour days per week. Schedule may vary based on business needs, time of year, and weather conditions including the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Travel Requirements: Traveling in vehicles up to 250 miles per day, which includes commuting between different wildlife area units that span over 100 miles within Franklin, Benton, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties. Overnight travel rarely required.

Tools and Equipment: Pickup trucks, ATV’s, no till drills, trailers, herbicide spray equipment, tractors, farm implements, small engines, hand tools, smartphone, laptop, handheld GPS and satellite communication devices.

Customer Interactions: Maintain frequent interactions with hunters and the public. Communicate effectively with landowners, the public, agency personnel project partners, and local government officials. Explain and communicate current federal/state hunting regulations and regulatory actions.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Two (2) years of experience in habitat management, land management, agriculture, or natural resource operations.

Option 2: An associate’s degree or higher in natural resource management, forestry, wildlife management, agriculture, environmental science, or a closely related field.

Option 3: One (1) year of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.

In ad dition to the options above, the following are required:

• At least six (6) months of experience operating equipment, such as vehicles, ATV’s or trailers.
• At least six (6) months of experience with hand and power tools in outdoor, construction, or habitat work settings.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

Bachelor’s degree or higher with major study in fisheries, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or natural resource science.

License/Certification:

• Public Pesticide Applicator License
• Hunter’s Safety Course Completion

Two (2) years of professional experience with the following:

• Agricultural practices and equipment
• Planning and coordinating annual agricultural crop establishment
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species
• Operating heavy equipment such as excavators, graders, or large agricultural machinery
• Maintaining or managing irrigation systems
• Conducting wildlife monitoring, surveys, or data collection
• Delivering public outreach, education, or hunter access programs
• Vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Chronic wasting disease (CWD) epidemiology, ecology, and management
• Collecting, processing, storing, and shipping diagnostic specimens
• Private Lands Access Programs (such as Feel Free to Hunt, Hunt by Reservation, etc.)
• Weed management techniques

Your application must 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 [e-mail].
• 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: 2026-1234 – 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 [phone] or email [e-mail], 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 [phone] or [e-mail].

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [e-mail] and reference job #2026-09152.

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