Recreation/Trails/Natural Resource Maintenance Technician

South Maintenance Technician, Natural Resources Technician 3 (NRT3)
Full-time, Project, Represented position (WPEA)
Anticipated Project is:  July 2026 – October 31, 2027
Salary: $3,738.00 – $4,980.00 Monthly
The salary range listed includes a general wage increase of 2% for all state employees effective July 1, 2026.

Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 6/24/2026.  It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.

Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
The DNR Southeast Region Recreation Program is seeking a Natural Resource Technician 3 to help promote safe and sustainable recreation on DNR-managed lands. This position provides maintenance to recreation facilities, including campgrounds, trails, and trailheads. The position is highly visible to the public and acts as a point of contact for recreationists, volunteers, and user groups. It will engage the public to answer questions, educate users on applicable laws and rules, and maintain recreation sites for all to enjoy.

Responsibilities:

• Independently perform routine recreation site maintenance in DNR recreation sites and dispersed recreation areas in Yakima County.
• Develop and implement maintenance schedules to meet current and future needs in the recreation sites and dispersed areas.
• Cut brush, trees, and other vegetation within recreation sites.
• Independently transport, operate, and maintain equipment, including, but not limited to, an excavator, a 4×4 truck, ATV, UTV, skid spray unit, snowmobile, trailers, hand and power tools.
• Perform noxious weed control within recreation sites and dispersed recreation areas.
• Engage with recreationists to answer questions and educate users on applicable laws and rules.
• This position works independently in the field throughout the year.

Required Qualifications: 
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience.  It is important that you clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications. 

• Experience performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use, transaction, and lease development;
  OR three years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent.
• Experience in maintaining and operating power tools such as chainsaws, brush cutters, and tracked wheelbarrows.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques for developing and maintaining recreation trails and facilities.
• Familiarity with reading maps and navigating by GPS.

Special Requirements and Conditions of Employment:

• Position’s assigned duty station is the Ahtanum Guard Station. Work is performed in an indoor or office setting and alone in isolated, unimproved natural areas throughout Washington. The incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Must be able to move up to 50 lbs.
• Position requires the majority of the time spent in the field, traveling in an agency-assigned work vehicle. Overnight travel may be required for meetings, trainings, and work assignments.
• A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
• UTV/ATV, Snowmobile, and Trailer Operators certification. These certifications will be made available to the incumbent once hired.