Wildlife Area Technician – Natural Resource Tech 3 (in-training) – Permanent – 2025-09108

Title- Wildlife Area Technician
Classification-*Natural Resource Technician 3 (in-training option)
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station– Brewster, Washington – Okanogan County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

*We are recruiting to hire at the Natural Resource Technician 2 or 3 level. We will train a new hire at level 2 up to the Natural Resource Technician 3 level.

Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary will be as follows:
Natural Resource Technician 2 – $3,262 – $4,320 Monthly
Natural Resource Technician 3 – $3,665 – $4,882 Monthly

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is committed to preserving, protecting, and perpetuating fish, wildlife, and ecosystems while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities for Washington residents. Under the direction of the Wildlife Area Manager and Assistant Wildlife Area Manager, the Natural Resource Technician 3 plays a key role in advancing this mission by implementing habitat, species, and recreation projects across the Wildlife Area. 

This position provides hands-on technical support to maintain wildlife area facilities, equipment, infrastructure, and public access areas; conducts integrated vegetation management, including herbicide Application to control invasive species; and supports the planning and execution of wildlife area projects. 

This role helps ensure healthy habitats, safe and accessible public use areas, and high-quality fish and wildlife-related opportunities.

What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Natural Resource Technician 3 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/maintain wildlife habitats including shrubsteppe, mesic and riparian habitats using beaver dam analogs, post assisted log structures, and Zeedyk structures
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• Plan and manage establishment of annual crop systems using principles of crop rotation.
• 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, UTVs, tractors, 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:

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

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, school groups, etc.).

Working Conditions: 

Work setting, including hazards: Primarily field work, which includes exposure to inclement weather including extreme heat or snow, difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks and sticky mud, and water. Hazards include tripping / falling and other things consistent with working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working from boats or around water. Some work is performed in an office or shop setting. Work requires employee to walk, lift, bend, and stoop – sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment. Driving on primitive roads during all weather conditions is required, along with loading and transporting 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: Monday – Thursday 7:00a.m. – 5:30p.m., including long irregular and occasional unscheduled hours.

Travel: Travel up to 15% of time.

Tools and Equipment: Standard field tools such as shovels, herbicide application equipment, chain saws, other power tools, farm machinery, backhoes, excavators, dozers, ATVs, UTVs, trucks, trailers.

Customer interaction: Communicate with the public during field work, via email, telephone, and at public meetings.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

This In-Training series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited experience.

Candidates will be hired as a Natural Resource Technician 2 or Natural Resource Technician 3, depending on skills and experience.

Advancement from Natural Resource Technician 2 to Natural Resource Technician 3 requires successful completion of the 12-month In-Training Plan, which will be provided upon hiring.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2:

Option 1: High school graduation or GED AND two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2. 

Option 2: Two (2) years of related professional equivalent experience, including: 

• Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities
• Conducting agricultural enhancement / farming activities
• Working on a farm/ranch
• Operating heavy equipment

Option 3: Equivalent Education/Experience

Please Note: College coursework involving major study in biology, zoology, fisheries, wildlife, chemistry, natural sciences, or a closely allied field will substitute, year for year, for experience.

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid driver’s license

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 3 (Goal Class):

Option 1: Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, Engineering Aide 1or higher class performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use, or development

Option 2: Three (3) years of related professional equivalent experience, including: 

• Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities
• Conducting agricultural enhancement / farming activities
• Working on a farm/ranch
• Operating heavy equipment

Option 3: Bachelor’s degree with major study in agriculture, aquatic land studies, or natural resource studies. 

Option 4: An associate degree in natural resource, law enforcement, or business studies and two years of technical experience in land management. 

Certifications/Licenses: 

• Valid driver’s license

For both Natural Resource Technician 2 and 3: 
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• All-terrain vehicle (ATV), utility terrain vehicle (UTV) certification (agency provided).
• Maintain First Aid / CPR / AED Training Certification (agency provided).
• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.
• Red Card certification to participate in prescribed burns within 12 months of hire.
• Agency will designate the need for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with specific endorsements. Candidates selected for CDL positions will be tested for use of a controlled substance and alcohol misuse as required by the 1991 Federal Omnibus Transportation Testing Act.

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

• Experience in the use of agricultural practices and equipment.
• Experience planning and managing annual agricultural crop establishment.
• Experience in identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Nine (9) months of experience in/with: 

• Repair and maintain buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data. Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Use GPS, mapping software, computer with Microsoft Office software for collaborating, communications, word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar events.

Twelve (12) months of experience in/with:

• Perform habitat management activities.
• Safely mix and apply pesticides.
• Follow all safety guidelines and identify hazards while proficiently operating 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, ATVs, and boats.
• Perform basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors, agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e., tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass / brush trimmers, etc.), shop equipment, ATVs and boats.
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and orally with agency staff, other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
• Accept supervision and correction.
• Follow prescribed protocols and procedures as well as oral and written directions.
• Perform routine and repetitive work in a punctual and dependable manner.
• Complete required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.

Knowledge of:

• Wildlife agricultural enhancement programs / farming practices.
• Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration.
• Basics of carpentry, mechanical and facility repair.
• Small, large, and heavy equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.
• Small engine tools such as pumps, chainsaws, and brush cutters.
• Computer software – Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS).
• Managing projects.
• Managing workloads.
• Safety procedures.

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 diana.humes@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

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