Shillapoo Wildlife Area Technician – Natural Resource Tech 3 – Permanent – 2025-09258

Title- Shillapoo Wildlife Area Technician
Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Under the general direction of the Wildlife Area Manager, the Natural Resource Technician 3 provides technical support and carries out assigned activities to support the management of the Shillapoo Wildlife Area in alignment with the agency’s goals of sustaining healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations, habitats, and recreational opportunities for Washington residents. 

This position implements habitat, species, and recreation projects; performs technical work to maintain facilities, equipment, and infrastructure; inspects and maintains access sites and public use areas to ensure public safety and site aesthetics; conducts integrated vegetation management, including herbicide Application to control invasive or unwanted species; and supports the development and implementation of Wildlife Area projects and activities.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Wildlife Area Technician will,

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

• Implement Wildlife Area projects
• Restore/enhance/maintain wildlife habitats
• Create/manage/maintain moist soil management projects.
• Implement Integrated Vegetation Management activities and apply herbicides as needed.
• Assist/ manage land-use lease agreements.
• Conduct agricultural activities such as mowing, disking, seeding, and trimming trees.
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws, ATVs, tractors, farm implements, skid steers, and excavators.
• Inspects, 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.

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

• Assist/manage 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 I assess/ensure safety of Wildlife Area facilities and equipment.

Coordinate and communicate within WDFW, with other agencies, and with the public:

• Attend agency meetings, meetings with external groups and constituents.
• Provide relevant information to the public through office and field contacts.
• Assist / manage activities with cooperative partners and adjacent landowners.
• Report violations to the manager and/or enforcement.
• Assist in public educational activities (i.e. hunter education classes, outreach programs, etc.)

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: Work is primarily performed in the field and involves regular exposure to inclement weather. Duties take place on difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, uneven ground, sticky mud, and in and around water. Hazards include tripping and falling, working around small and large equipment, and performing tasks from boats or near water. Some work is completed in an office or shop environment. The position requires frequent walking, lifting, bending, and stooping, often on uneven terrain and sometimes while carrying up to 50 pounds of tools or equipment. Must safely drive on primitive roads in all weather conditions, operate 4×4 trucks and UTVs, and load, secure, and transport heavy equipment. Safe operation of boats and the ability to perform tasks around water are essential. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: This position is full-time, working 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: This position will travel up to 10% of the time to accomplish agency goals.

Tools and Equipment: Uses standard field tools and equipment such as shovels, spray equipment, chainsaws, power tools, farm machinery, small boats, excavators, skid steers, UTVs, trucks, trailers, and boats. motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e. tillers, mowers, and grass/ brush trimmers, etc.), shop equipment.

Customer interactions: Communicates with the public during field activities, and through email, telephone, and participation in public meetings.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: Two (2) years of professional experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2 

Option 2: Three (3) years of professional experience performing technical, paraprofessional duties, or equivalent experience, including:

• Conducting agricultural enhancement/ farming activities.
• Operating heavy equipment
• Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.

Option 3: Associate’s degree in fish, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, natural resource science, agriculture, land management, wildlife management or related field.

Certifications/Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment: This position has been designated as one for which a department-issued firearm would be beneficial to the Department.  With the approval of the Appointing Authority or designee, provided the incumbent is able to meet the conditions and requirements of the agency firearm policy (Policy 7011), the incumbent may be authorized to carry and utilize a department-issued firearm while in this position, provided they can continue to meet the requirements of Policy 7011. The incumbent must successfully pass a background check, drug screening, and required firearm authorization training,

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

A Bachelor’s degree with major study in fish, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, natural resource science, agriculture, land management, wildlife management or related field.

Two (2) years of professional experience in natural resource management, such as:

• agricultural and grazing practices, such as spraying, soil cultivation, crop types, planting methods, grazing methods and monitoring,
• wetland or moist soil management,
• habitat restoration,
• native plant identification,
• wildlife or habitat field survey work,
• Safely mixing and applying pesticides.
• Repairing and maintaining buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• Operating, troubleshooting, repair, maintenance on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e. tillers, mowers, chainsaws and grass/ brush trimmers, etc.), shop equipment, UTVs and boats.

One (1) year of professional experience in/with: 

• Identifying wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Overseeing volunteers including inmate work crews.
• Collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, etc…)

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 RecruitmentTeam@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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 Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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 support@neogov.com. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

Follow us on social media: LinkedIn jobshiringnearme.org Facebook jobshiringnearme.org Instagram