Wildlife Conflict Technician – Natural Resource Technician 3 (In-Training) – Permanent – *10796-24

Title– Wildlife Conflict Technician 
Classification– Natural Resource Technician 3 (NRT3) – *In-Training 
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Wildlife Program – Wildlife Conflict Division
Duty Station– Port Townsend, Washington – Jefferson County
*In-Training– 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.
Salary– Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary range will be as follows: Natural Resource Technician 2 – $3,028.00 – $3,999.00 Monthly. Natural Resource Technician 3 – $3,393.00 – $4,517.00 Monthly

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Play an important role in addressing wildlife-related issues within the eastern portion of Region 6, including Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Thurston, and Pierce Counties. 

By providing technical support to manage damage caused by ungulates and carnivores, this role implements conflict management strategies, engages in community education, and supports the administration of conflict management permits. 

Additionally, you will collaborate across programs to facilitate recreational access and resolve wildlife conflicts effectively.

What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Wildlife Conflict Technician will, 

Assist the Wildlife Conflict Specialist with managing carnivore and other wildlife conflicts and reducing and controlling ungulate damage to private property, commercial crops, livestock, farming infrastructure, and forest resources:

• Employ wildlife damage management practices to mitigate human/wildlife conflicts including but not limited to fencing, hazing, herding, trapping, installing signs, applying deterrents and repellants, deploying sound emitting devices or bio-deterrents, installing fladry, and monitoring trail cameras. 
• Capture and/or euthanize injured or problem wildlife.
• Assist and coordinate with the Region 6 Wildlife Conflict and Enforcement staff on dangerous wildlife conflict response. 
• Assist with or perform livestock depredation investigations and report back to the Wildlife Conflict Specialist and/or the Enforcement Program for determination. 
• Support the Region 6 Wildlife Conflict staff with private lands crop damage issues including assisting with administering Damage Prevention Cooperative Agreements and deer and elk hazing. 
• Assist with collaborations involving other agency employees, partners, and/or volunteers regarding opportunities for wildlife conflict mitigation through acquisition or utilization of non-lethal conflict prevention tools or by educational outreach events.
• Assist with the preparation, tracking, data entry and coordination of landowner damage prevention agreements and permits. 
• With on-site supervision, assist with chemical immobilization of wildlife 
• Direct agency-selected volunteers or Master Hunters in nonlethal and lethal damage abatement operations.

Administrative and other duties as assigned:

• Assist regional Wildlife Program staff with wildlife surveys.
• Collect and compile wildlife harvest data and public use data (e.g. pelt seal).
• Responsible for maintaining assigned equipment such as agency vehicle, firearms, and other employee assigned items. 

Working Conditions: 

Work Setting, including hazards: Will work outdoors in inclement weather over difficult terrain, including steep slopes, snow and ice. Walk, bend, stoop, often on uneven terrain while carrying up to 40 pounds and sometimes heavier loads of up to 70 or 80 pounds. Capture and handle wildlife and use chemical immobilization drug(s). Load and transport equipment, gear, and big game carcasses. Perform routine and repetitive work. Office work includes work with computers for extended periods of time. 

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. but will also be available for non-scheduled workweek and hours. Willingness and ability to work long and irregular hours as required.

Travel Requirements: Frequent travel to field sites and periodic travel out of the normal area of responsibility will be required. Occasional travel out of local area for meetings, training and/or conferences may be necessary as determined by Agency needs and emergent issues. 

Tools and Equipment: Office equipment, mobile communication devices, field glasses, pyrotechnics, firearms, paintball guns, electric fencing, GPS, cameras, 4×4 trucks (small/large), trailers, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), hand tools and power tools (electric & gas). 

Customer Interactions: Frequent contact with the public, private landowners, hunters, Tribes, employees from within and out of agency to include Federal, State and Local municipalities. Occasionally encounters hostile interactions requiring an ability to remain calm, professional, and diplomatic.

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.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2: 

High School Graduation or GED. 

AND

Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2. 

OR 

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

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

OR 

Equivalent Education/Experience. 

Please Note: College level course work in one (1) or more of the following fields may substitute year-for-year for experience: Fish, wildlife, habitat, agriculture, forestry, aquatic land studies, natural resource science. 

Certifications/Licenses: 

Valid Driver’s License

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position including: 
  • The ability to pass background checks, drug screening, and training to receive authorization to use a firearm.
  • Be approved through the Criminal Justice Information Services to operate agency incident tracking software (example: Spillman FLEX). 
• Obtain the following within the first six (6) months of hire: 
  • Firearms training and certification.
  • First aid training. 
  • Chainsaw operator training. 
  • Heat-related illness training.
• Obtain the following within the first year of hire:   
  • Livestock depredation training.
  • Chemical immobilization training.

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

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

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

OR 

A Bachelor’s degree with major study in wildlife, agriculture, or other natural resource studies.

OR  

An Associate degree in natural resources AND two (2) years of technical experience in wildlife, land management, or other natural resource field. 

OR 

Three (3) years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent. 

• Examples of “general” repairer may include:
  • Working on a farm/ranch.
  • Conducting agricultural enhancement / farming activities.
  • Operating heavy equipment
  • Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License. 

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• This position has been designated as one for which possession and use of a department-issued firearm is required and essential to performing job duties. Must successfully meet all requirements of agency firearm policy (Policy 7011) and maintain eligibility to possess and use agency-issued firearm(s) at all times while in this position including:
  • The ability to pass background checks, drug screening, and training to receive authorization to use a firearm. 
  • Be approved through the Criminal Justice Information Services to operate agency incident tracking software (example: Spillman FLEX). 
• Obtain the following within the first six (6) months of hire: 
  • Firearms training and certification.
  • First aid training. 
  • Chainsaw operator training. 
  • Heat-related illness training.
• Obtain the following within the first year of hire:   
  • Livestock depredation training.
  • Chemical immobilization training.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:

Any combination of background or knowledge in agriculture, trapping, hunting, wildlife management, wildlife research, land management or wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement.

Experience: 

• Working with agricultural producers and/or private landowners.
• Working on fish, wildlife, and habitat management activities.
• Working in outdoor remote locations.
• Communicating with the public, tribes, and other government entities.

Working knowledge: 

• Principles, practices, and methods of environmental or resource management.
• Methods and techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigations.
• Applicable state, federal and local environmental and wildlife regulations, and policies.
• Technical report writing methods and characteristics and health effects of pollutants to wildlife.
• Wildlife population relationship and ecology.
• General agriculture and range management principles including local animal husbandry, crop rotation and fencing practices.
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Personal computer hardware and software (Microsoft Office products and Adobe).
• Principles of wildlife damage management.
• Familiarity with WDFW hunting regulations.

Ability to:

• Understand and interpret plans, maps, and equipment specifications.
• Understand and communicate complex environmental and wildlife regulations and statutes.
• Develop effective objectives, timelines, and action plans.
• Effectively and safely operate standard highway vehicles, ATV’s, tractors, and trailers.
• Safely use hand and power tools, including chainsaws.
• Use firearms for euthanizing and lethal removal of problem wildlife.
• Navigate confrontational encounters in a respectful manner.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application.
• An up-to-date resume (chronological preferred) showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• 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 [email protected]. 
• 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 [email protected], 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 [email protected]. 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [email protected] and reference job #2024-10796

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