Wildlife Area Technician - Natural Resource Technician 3 - Permanent - 2025-06984

Southern Arkansas University; Washington; On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A state university in Washington is seeking a Wildlife Area Technician to contribute to the conservation of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area. Responsibilities include implementing habitat protection projects, managing wildlife feeding, and maintaining equipment. Candidates should hold a relevant degree and possess experience in land management. This is a full-time role with a standard work schedule of 40 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with major study in agriculture, aquatic land studies, or natural resource studies.
• 2 years of technical experience in land management required with an associate's degree.
• Valid Driver's License is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate and implement projects to protect and maintain habitats.
• Assist with coordinating hay deliveries and manage winter feeding for wildlife.
• Maintain wildlife area infrastructure and equipment.

Skills

Experience with agricultural practices

Experience in wildlife habitat enhancement

Ability to operate heavy equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture or natural resource studies

Associate's degree in natural resource studies + 2 years of experience

2 years as Natural Resource Technician 2

3 years as a general repairer or equivalent

Tools

Chainsaws

ATVs

Tractors

Pesticide application equipment

Job description

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Title-Wildlife Area Technician – Oak Creek Wildlife Area
Classification-Natural Resource Technician 3
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Naches, Washington – Yakima County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW !

This is an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area by implementing projects that protect, enhance and restore habitats, support wildlife species, and maintain recreational opportunities.

Envision yourself in the field, carrying out vegetation management activities, applying herbicides to control invasive species.

With your hand and power tool experience you will also perform technical tasks to maintain wildlife area facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.

What to Expect-

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

Plan, coordinate and implement projects to protect, maintain, and improve habitats, species, and recreational opportunities on the Wildlife Area:

• Implement Wildlife Area projects.
• Restore, enhance and maintain wildlife habitats.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• Conduct agricultural activities such as mowing, disking, seeding, and trimming trees.
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility terrain vehicles (UTV), herbicide sprayers, skid steer loaders, tractors, and excavators.
• Inspect, manage, and maintain access areas and public use resources on the wildlife area to ensure the health and safety of the public, compliance, and the aesthetics of the wildlife area.

Winter Elk Feeding:

• Assist with coordinating hay deliveries, stack hay, distribute hay with mechanized equipment and by hand off of large trucks for wintering elk and bighorn sheep.
• Operate large trucks, skid steer loaders, and tractors in adverse weather conditions.
• Snow removal using vehicle mounted plows, tracked dozers, skid steer loaders, snow blowers, and shovels in adverse weather conditions.
• Maintain and oversee irrigation systems.
• Assist and oversee the implementation of capital improvement projects.

Maintain capital facilities, wildlife area infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment:

• Maintain Wildlife Area buildings, information kiosks and signage.
• Maintain and oversee irrigation systems.
• Assist and oversee the implementation of capital improvement projects.
• Maintain roads, culverts, gates, fences, parking lots and other capital improvements.
• Maintain wildlife area vehicles, equipment, and maintenance records.
• Monitor, assess and ensure safety of Wildlife Area facilities and equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work setting, including hazards:

• Primarily fieldwork, however some work is performed in an office or shop setting.
• Fieldwork may include exposure to inclement weather, navigating difficult terrain and operating small/large equipment and working from boats or around water.
• Walk, lift, bend, and stoop, sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
• Must be able to safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions.
• Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility task vehicles (UTV), and must be able to load and transport heavy equipment.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements: This position may travel up to 15% of their work time.

Tools and Equipment:Standard field tools (shovels, fence post drivers, spray equipment), chain saws, power tools, ATVs, tractors, mowers, skid steers, backhoes, dozers, large trucks with attachments, agency vehicles, and standard office equipment, GPS units, smartphones, and digital cameras.

Customer Interactions:Employee will communicate with the public during field work, via email, telephone, and at public meetings.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

A bachelor’s degree with major study in agriculture, aquatic land studies, or natural resource studies.

Or

An associate’s degree in natural resource studies and two (2) years of technical experience in land management.

Or

Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, or higher-level classification performing technical or paraprofessional duties related to land use or development.

Or

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

• Examples of a “general repairer” may include working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming activities, operating heavy equipment or conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Completion of the following certifications (agency provided):

• ATV, UTV certification within six (6) months of hire.
• First Aid / CPR / AED Training Certification within (6) months of hire.
• Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.
• Firefighter Type II Certification within one (1) year of hire.

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

Natural Resources, Agriculture and Habitat

• Experience with agricultural practices and equipment
• Experience in wildlife agricultural enhancement programs and farming practices
• Experience with wildlife habitat enhancement, restoration, and/or management
• Experience mixing and applying pesticides
• Possess a current Washington State Public Operator license
• Ability to identify eastern Washington wildlife and plant species
• Ability to conduct field surveys

Equipment Operation and Maintenance

• Experience with the operation, maintenance and repair of motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass/brush trimmers) shop equipment, ATVs, and UTVs)
• Ability to perform the basics of carpentry, mechanical, and facility repair including the maintenance of buildings, fences, and equipment

Technology and Data

• Experience using GPS and mapping software
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to perform data collection, compilation, and summarization

Project and People Management

• Experience with project management

Safety and Hazard Awareness

• Ability to identify hazards
• Familiarity with lock-out tag-out procedures

Your application must include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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 topay and otherspecial employee programs , there are otherbenefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

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:

• 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 [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] [e-mail] .

Other questions:If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out [e-mail] and reference job #2025-06984.