Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician

Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician

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, ATVs, 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 addition to the options above, the following are required:

• At least six (6) months of experience operating equipment, such as vehicles, ATVs 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.

• 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 stag