Wildlife Area Technician - Natural Resource Technician 3 - (In-Training Option)- Permanent-*07025-24

FULL-TIME/PERMANENT

WILDLIFE AREA TECHNICIAN

NATURAL RESOURCE TECHNICIAN 3 (IN-TRAINING)

SWANSON LAKES WILDLIFE AREA

Wildlife Program

Creston, Washington

• Lincoln County

Implement projects aimed at protecting, maintaining, and enhancing habitats, species, and recreational opportunities within the Swanson Lakes, Revere and Reardan Audubon Wildlife Areas.

In this role, envision yourself conducting technical maintenance of facilities, equipment, and infrastructure to ensure the safety of the public, and preservation of the wildlife area.

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.

Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary will be as follows:

Natural Resource Technician 2 - $2,940.00 - $3,883.00 Monthly

Natural Resource Technician 3 - $3,294.00 - $4,385.00 Monthly

Sunset at Swanson Lake Wildlife Area

• Credit: Jabe Curtis

Picture yourself,

Implementing Wildlife Area projects and will restore, enhance and maintain wildlife habitats.

With your experience,

Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws all-terrain vehicles (ATV), tractors, and excavators.

The optimal applicants,

Will have knowledge of wildlife agricultural enhancement programs and farming practices.

We are seeking a candidate,

Who models WDFW values: Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).

Here is what you will be doing,

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 to include brush cutters, chainsaws all-terrain vehicles (ATV), utility-terrain vehicles (UTV), tractors, and 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, which includes exposure to inclement weather including extreme heat or snow, 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 perform tasks around water.

• Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.

• Schedule:

• Typically, Monday

• Thursday 6:00 A.M.

• 4:30 P.M.

• Available for non-scheduled workweek and to work long irregular hours.

• Travel Requirements:

• Travel up to 15% of time. Travel will vary depending on the wildlife area the incumbent will be working at. Distances are up to 70 miles from the Swanson Lakes headquarters.

• 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.

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, or natural resource science

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Driver's License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• All-terrain vehicle (ATV), and utility terrain vehicle (UTV) certification (provided by agency).

• Maintain First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification (provided by agency).

• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.

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):

• High school graduation or GED.

AND

• Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 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, or natural resource science

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid Driver's License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• All-terrain vehicle (ATV), and utility terrain vehicle (UTV) certification (provided by agency).

• Maintain First Aid/CPR/AED Training Certification (provided by agency).

• Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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

Experience:

• 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

• Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS).

• Managing projects.

• 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, identify hazards, perform basic troubleshooting, repair, maintenance and operation of the following: motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass/brush trimmers,), shop equipment, ATV's, and boats.

• Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.

• Oversee volunteers to include working with inmate work crews.

• Conduct field surveys to collect data. Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.

• Use GPS, mapping software, computer with Microsoft Office software for collaborating, communications, word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar events.

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 a 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: Benefits

Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.

Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.

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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 Elizabeth.Bullard@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 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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