Wildlife Area Technician – Cowlitz Wildlife Area – Natural Resource Technician 3 – Perm – *09524-24

Title– Wildlife Area Technician – Cowlitz Wildlife Area 
Classification– Natural Resource Technician 3 (NRT3)
Job Status– Full-Time/Permanent
WDFW Program– Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station– Morton, Washington – Lewis County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Implement projects aimed at protecting, maintaining, and enhancing habitats, species, and recreational opportunities within the Cowlitz Wildlife Area. 

Conduct technical maintenance of facilities, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure the safety of the public, and preservation of the wildlife area.

What to Expect-

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

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
• Create, manage, and maintain moist soil management projects.
• Implement Integrated Vegetation Management activities and apply herbicides as needed.
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws all-terrain vehicles (ATV), tractors, and excavators.
• Assist and manage land-use lease agreements.
• Conduct agricultural activities such as mowing, disking, seeding, and trimming trees.
• 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.
• Assist and manage 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, which includes exposure to inclement weather difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks and sticky mud, and water. Some work is performed in an office or shop setting. Walk, lift, bend, and stoop – sometimes on uneven terrain and at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment. Fieldwork hazards may include tripping/falling, working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working from boats or around water. Must be able to safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions. Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, ATVs, UTVs, and must be able to load and transport heavy equipment. Must be able and willing to safely operate a boat and perform tasks around water. Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. Available for non-scheduled workweek and to work long irregular hours.

Travel Requirements: Travel up to 10% of time. This includes travel from their duty station in Morton to the wildlife area unit. Approximately 40 miles from one end of the wildlife area to the other.

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

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

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

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.

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 and workloads.
• Safety procedures.

Ability to: 

• Perform habitat management activities.
• Safely mix and apply pesticides.
• Repair and maintain buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
• 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 (tillers, mowers, chainsaws and grass/brush trimmers), 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), shop equipment, ATVs and boats.
• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
• Oversee volunteers.
• Conduct field surveys to collect data. Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Use GPS, GIS software (ArcGIS), computer with Microsoft Office software for collaborating, communications, word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar events.
• Effectively communicate both verbally and orally with agency staff, other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• ATV 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.
• CDL A with air brake endorsement – may be required after hire.
• An agency may 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 some or all the following:

• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
• Experience in the use of agricultural practices and equipment.
• Experience managing and manipulating wetland plant communities (moist soil management).
• Experience in identifying Western Washington native plant species.

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 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 #2024-09524.

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