Wildlife Area Technician – Natural Resources Technician 3 – Career Seasonal – 2026-03252

Title- Wildlife Area Technician
Classification- Natural Resources Technician 3
Job Status– Full-Time – Career Seasonal
Season Length– 9 months – March 1 – November 30
For the 2026 season, this position is anticipated to begin May 15, 2026
WDFW Program– Wildlife Program – Division
Duty Station– Pomeroy, Washington – Garfield County – WT Wooten Wildlife Area

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

This is an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of the WT Wooten 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 including brush cutters, chainsaws ATVs, UTV’s, tractors, and mini 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.

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 field work with some work performed in an office or shop setting.
• Fieldwork may include exposure to inclement weather and difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks, sticky mud, and water.
• Hazards may include tripping or falling, working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working around water.
• Walk, lift, bend, and stoop on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
• Safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions.
• Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, ATVs, and UTVs.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Schedule may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions. Typically, Monday – Thursday, 6:30 A.M. – 5: 00 P.M., working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. 

Travel Requirements: Available for non-scheduled workweek and travel up to 15% of time.

Tools and Equipment: Standard field tools such as shovels, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, farm machinery, excavators, ATV’s, trucks, trailers

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

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: 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.

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

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

Option 4: An associate degree in natural resources and two (2) years of technical experience in land management. 

Certifications/Licenses:
Valid Driver’s License

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
Obtain a pesticide applicator license within six (6) months of hire (agency provided).  

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

Experience with: 

• Using agricultural practices and equipment.
• Planning and managing annual agricultural crop establishment.
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.

Knowledge of:

• Wildlife agricultural enhancement programs and 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 such as Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS).

Ability to: 

• Perform habitat management activities.
• Safely mix and apply pesticides.
• Repair and maintain buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• Follow safety guidelines and identify hazards while proficiently operating and performing basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment (excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements), small power equipment (tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass/brush trimmers), shop equipment and ATVs.
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Oversee volunteers.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and orally with agency staff, other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

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 the full job 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 #2026-03252.

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