Wildlife Area Specialist – Natural Resource Specialist 2 – Permanent – 2026-03171

Title- Wildlife Area Specialist
Classification- Natural Resource Specialist 2
Job Status– Full-Time – Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
Duty Station- Chelan Wildlife Area – Wenatchee, Washington – Chelan County
Please Note- Wenatchee, Washington is the current duty station, however, depending on the successful candidate, Chelan Washington may be considered. 

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Join the WDFW team and manage the Chelan Wildlife Area as a journey-level Natural Resource Specialist, where you will play a key role in restoring habitats, managing vegetation, and maintaining critical wildlife area infrastructure and equipment. 

Working independently in dynamic field environments, you will help sustain healthy ecosystems and enhance fish and wildlife recreation opportunities. 

This position also collaborates with the public, local partners, and volunteers to advance conservation efforts on the wildlife area.

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

Perform skilled work in several trades for habitat and infrastructure maintenance:

• Manage maintenance and operation of public use infrastructure.
• Use skills from a variety of trades including carpentry, plumbing, electrical, welding, mechanics, and small engine repair.
• Apply herbicide and pesticide (requires an applicator’s license – agency provided) to control noxious weeds and manage for native habitat
• Implement, maintain, and monitor restoration projects including live plantings, drill seeding, broadcast seeding, spring developments, and riparian enhancement
• Install and maintain irrigation systems including gravity fed, pump systems, and driplines
• Operate road equipment used in construction, snow removal, and similar maintenance activities. (CDL may be required – agency provided).
• Maintain outhouses, kiosks, signs, and pick up litter

Study and evaluate public use of the wildlife area:  

• Monitor public use of the area including shooting range usage and trail and road use. Provide recommendations if problems are observed.
• Develop construction and maintenance projects for access and recreation sites.
• Lead and guide the staff, work crews, volunteers, and/or contractors.
• Provide information to the public on land-use, hunting, and fishing rules.
• Conduct inspections of public access sites to ensure health and safety compliance.

Inspect Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Areas and/or Water Access Areas and collect information:

• Conduct field inspections and gather data on recreation use, infrastructure status, and habitat conditions.
• Take photographs and report describing and analyzing observed conditions.

Work with federal, state, local agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public concerning agency facilities, opportunities, and current activities:

• Resolve disputes involving internal and external stakeholders regarding management activities.

Partner with individuals and non-governmental organizations to cooperatively maintain and manage the Wildlife and Water Access areas:

• Gather and provide information and meet with other agencies, interest groups, and individuals concerning agency programs and activities.

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Predominantly a field position, working approximately 90% in the field and 10% in the office.
• Conduct field operations for long periods of time in adverse weather conditions, including hiking in moderate – difficult terrain.
• Operate four-wheel drive vehicles on highways, forest roads, and wildlife area access roads in moderate to difficult terrain.
• Lift in excess of 45 pounds while performing duties.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Thursday 7:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. Work outside these hours may be assigned as needed to complete work that is time sensitive.

Travel Requirements: Frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout the wildlife area. Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to one (1) week at a time to attend conferences, training or assist with fieldwork.

Tools and Equipment: Trucks, pickups, dump trucks, ATV/UTV, trailers, tractors with implements, dozers, backhoes, excavators, mowers, sprayers, power washers, various pesticide sprayers, GPS units, hand and power tools and desktop computer.

Customer Interactions: Occasional communication via telephone, during fieldwork, or within the community. Occasional interactions with distraught or upset customers.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

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

*Option 2: Four (4) years of progressive experience working with natural resources, managing outdoor recreation, or working in agriculture. 

Examples may include but are not limited to working as a Natural Resource Worker, Natural Resource Technician, Scientific Technician or Fish and Wildlife Biologist.

Option 3: A Bachelor’s degree in a related natural resource specialty area such as wildlife, conservation, range management, agriculture, forestry, outdoor recreation or related field. 

*Please Note: Equivalent education in a related natural resource specialty area such as wildlife, conservation, range management, agriculture, forestry, out-door recreation or related field may substitute, year for year, for qualifying experience.

In addition to the options above, the following experience is required: 

• Mechanical experience to operate, troubleshoot, and perform maintenance on one or more of the following – two-stroke engines, light construction equipment (such as skid steers, mini excavators, and/or dump trucks) and vehicles
• Working knowledge of vegetation management techniques and strategies specific to habitat restoration and/or farming

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:

Competencies: 

• Critical thinking and the ability to make decisions based on the best available information.

Experience with: 

• Identifying noxious or invasive weeds commonly located in Eastern Washington
• Mixing, loading, and using herbicides for weed control
• Securing and hauling loads with trailers (bumper-pull and/or gooseneck)
• Irrigation installation and maintenance
• Repairing and maintaining hydraulic systems
• Fence repair and construction
• Welding
• Power and/or hand tools

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) public operator’s license
• Red Card certification

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 stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-03171.

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