Private Lands/Wildlife Conflict Technician - Natural Resource Tech 3 (In-Training) - Perm -*04961-24

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT

PRIVATE LANDS/WILDLIFE CONFLICT TECHNICIAN

NATURAL RESOURCE TECHNICIAN 3 (IN-TRAINING)

Wildlife Program

• Region 1

Colville, Washington

• Stevens County

We're seeking a dedicated individual to join us in supporting two critical programs: the Private Lands Access Program and Wildlife Conflict Management. This role spans across four counties, including District 1 and Lincoln County in District 2, offering a unique chance to contribute to conservation efforts in diverse landscapes.

In this role, you'll dive into the Private Lands Program, acting as a hands-on field representative. You'll collaborate on creating hunter access programs and enhancing wildlife habitats on private timberlands and agricultural lands, all while providing public access for recreational activities related to fish and wildlife.

Additionally, you'll be part of our Wildlife Conflict Program, tackling issues like livestock depredations and nuisance wildlife complaints, working closely with species such as bears, cougars, and wolves. You'll play a crucial role in issuing permits, responding to wildlife damage complaints, and educating the public on effective wildlife conflict solutions. Plus, you'll get the chance to coordinate with regional and statewide wildlife conflict staff, adding depth and breadth to your impact in conservation.

Planting Shrubs for Habitat Improvement

• Credit: WDFW

Key roles of this position:

Wildlife Conflict:

• Assist the District 1 Fish and Wildlife Biologist 3 (Wildlife Conflict Specialists) with wildlife conflict duties surrounding livestock depredations, nuisance, and dangerous wildlife complaints, developing and issuing wildlife conflict contracts and permits, and wildlife conflict in general.

• Assists the District Wildlife Conflict Specialist with addressing bear, cougar and wolf conflicts, reports, or complaints, including working with livestock producers.

• Responds to nuisance wildlife and wildlife damage complaints to commercial crops; and educates the public about wildlife conflict programs and solutions for deer, elk moose and turkey.

• Uses a firearm to dispatch sick or injured wildlife and haze or aversively condition wildlife.

• Under direction of the Wildlife Conflict Specialist, issues permits to landowners for DPCA and DPCA-L programs.

• Coordinates with regional and statewide wildlife conflict staff on projects, meetings and training as required.

Hunter Access Programs:

• Under the direction of the Private Lands Biologist, implements hunter access programs on private timberlands and private agricultural lands in Northeast Washington.

• Provide direction and education to the public regarding hunter access opportunities on private lands.

• Conduct landowner interviews, assist in writing reports and hunter access contract development.

• Provide landowners with the materials necessary for the implementation of the WDFW hunter access program including Hunting Only by Written Permission, Hunting by Reservation, Feel Free to Hunt and Cooperative Road Management.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Setting, including hazards:

• Work is performed outdoors, occasionally in inclement weather over difficult terrain, including steep slopes and snow and ice; often requiring hiking, bending, stooping over on uneven terrain while carrying, loading and/or transporting up to 40 pounds of equipment and gear.

• Capturing and handling of wildlife.

• Performing routine and repetitive work.

• Schedule:

• Monday

• Friday, 8:00 am

• 5:00 pm. But may include non-scheduled workweek and hours.

• Irregular and long hours may be necessary dependent on workload. Occasional weekend work is expected.

• Travel Requirements:

• Periodic travel out of the normal area of responsibility will be required, with overnight travel up to 10% of the time.

• Tools and Equipment:

• Basic hand tools, cordless power tools, chainsaw, ATV, 4x4 pickup, wildlife capture and telemetry equipment.

• Customer Interactions:

• Will interact with private landowners, various members of the public, DFW employees. Perform in a punctual and dependable manner.

This Natural Resource Technician 3 (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, dependent on skills and experience.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2:

• Three (3) years of experience as a Habitat Technician 1 or equivalent.

• Definition of Habitat Technician 1: Under close supervision and as a member of an organized crew, performs unskilled forest, agriculture, and/or aquatic land management labor.

Or

• College level work in the field of fish management, wildlife management, habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or a natural resource science may substitute year-for-year for experience.

PLUS:

Experience in the following:

• Recording data accurately and legibly.

• Visually discriminating when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.

• Effectively and safely operating standard highway vehicles, ATV's and trailers.

• Safely using hand and power tools, including chainsaws.

• Using GPS, computer with Microsoft software for word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools,         email, and calendar clients.

Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 3:

• Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, Engineering Aide 1, Administrative Assistant 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.

FOR ALL OF THE ABOVE:

Licenses/Certifications:

• 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. This includes 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 (e.g., Spillman FLEX).

• Firearms training and certification (obtain within first 6 months of hire date).

• Livestock depredation training (obtain within the first year of hire).

• First aid training (obtain within first 6 months of hire date).

• Chainsaw operator training (obtain within first 6 months of hire date).

• Heat-related illness training (obtain within first 6 months of hire date).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:

Job knowledge:

• WDFW hunter access and habitat programs.

• Fish and wildlife habitat management requirements. 

• WDFW hunting and fishing regulations.

• Private landowner issues.

• Fish and wildlife species identification.

• Local and state laws governing land use.

• WDFW wildlife conflict/wildlife control policies and procedures.

Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.

Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.

In order to successfully apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (Generic cover letter will not be accepted).

• A current resume.

• Three professional references.

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

JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:

Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has some of the most talented people in the natural resource field.  We celebrate and value diversity, appreciating that a workforce composed of those from different backgrounds and experiences creates an inclusive environment, strengthens positive relationships with the local community, and brings new perspectives and approaches to fulfilling the agency's mission. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

WDFW employees may be eligible for the following:

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*, 11 Paid Holidays per year*, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), Employee Assistance Program, Commute Trip Reduction Incentives (Download PDF reader), Combined Fund Drive, SmartHealth.

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.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:

• Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Diana.Humes@dfw.wa.gov.

• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - Veteran)

• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:

To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:

• Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Diana.Humes@dfw.wa.gov.

• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 - MS)

• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.

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.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format please contact Jayme Chase by phone at 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

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.

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