Wildlife Area Technician - Natural Resource Technician 3 - Permanent

Photo Caption: Chelan Wildlife Area Photo Credit: WDFW

This role provides field support for the Chelan Wildlife Area across Chelan and Okanogan Counties focusing on habitat conservation and recreational management.

Responsibilities include maintaining facilities operating equipment and implementing projects that enhance shrubsteppe forest and riparian habitats.

What to Expect

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

Establish and maintain wildlife habitat enhancement projects.

• Plant mow and prune herbaceous cover and riparian zones to improve habitat conditions.
• Assess field and vegetation conditions to determine the timing of herbicide applications mowing seeding and pruning to achieve desired habitat improvements in an efficient and costeffective manner.

• Use Integrated Pest Management principles and apply herbicides on State listed noxious weeds and undesirable weeds to improve habitat conditions and comply with State Law.
• Operate maintain and repair irrigation lines valves filters and drip irrigation systems for tree and shrub plantings to achieve desired growth and survival of plants. Includes hand pulling weeds and mowing to reduce competition.

Maintain existing recreational developments:

• Apply herbicide to poisonous plants (e.g. poison ivy night shade) and undesirable plants in public use areas for public safety.
• Maintain unvegetated fire breaks and signage at Swakane RiflePistol Range.
• Maintain ADA trails for public use including bridges and gravel trails

Operate a variety of equipment and vehicles to accomplish work activities:

• Utilize trailers for hauling equipment and materials including safely loading securing and transporting.
• Haul equipment using a variety of trailers including goose neck 40 trailers
• Safely use handheld power tools (e.g. chain saws hedge trimmer brush cutter etc. and other gaspowered equipment (e.g. generator pump) to accomplish work activities.
• Drive 50hp400hp tractors with attached implements to mow disc cultivate harrow or spray fields to establish or maintain restored habitats.
• Connect and disconnect hydraulic lines category 2 and category 3 and 3point hitches for safe operation of tractor implements.
• Use ATVs and UTVs on and off road for access and while spraying

Maintenance and repairs:

• Replace or repair worn or damaged parts on tractor implements tractors vehicles and other essential equipment as needed to extend the life of the item and for safe operation.
• Change motor oil spark plugs and air filters on small gas power tools to extend the life of the item and for safe operation.
• Help to maintain buildings and facilities utilized by the Wildlife Area.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting including hazards:

• Position functions in the field shop and office. Work will most often be in the field for the Chelan Wildlife Area and traveling to its various units.
• Hazards may include exposure to inclement weather rough terrain and surfaces hiking while carrying 35 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds rarely working independently in the field exposure to various chemicals and chemical solvents tripping/falling high noise level operating various vehicles machines equipment and power tools.
• Occasionally work on prescribed fires and potential exposure to deceased animals.
• May require supervision of Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crews

Schedule: Monday Thursday 7:00 A.M. 5:30 P.M. 10 hours per day. During peak workloads hours may be long and irregular.

Travel Requirements: Wildlife area units are in various areas of Chelan and Okanogan Counties. Travel may include daily round trips of up to 150 miles.

Tools and Equipment: Tracked skid steer dozers mini excavators backhoes trucks of various sizes (e.g. to 1.5ton pickup trucks) trailers tractors farm implements ATVs UTVs disk harrow cultivator mower seed drill irrigation pumps and lines chain saw welder cutting torch plasma cutter drill press and various hand tools.

Customer Interactions: Occasional interactions may occur while on the work site with the public in both the field and office settings.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Two 2 years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2 Forest Technician or higher class performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use or development.

Option 2: Three 3 years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent.

Option 3: A Bachelors degree with major study in agriculture aquatic land studies or natural resource studies

Option 4: Associate degree in natural resources andtwo 2 years of technical experience in land management.

Please Note:College coursework involving major study in biology zoology fisheries wildlife chemistry natural sciences or a closely allied field will substitute year for year for experience or equivalent education/experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Drivers License.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

The following must be obtained within six 6 months of hire (agency provided):

• Washington State Pesticide Applicators License.
• First Aid Certification.
• ATV Certification.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

Knowledge and experience with farming practices

Knowledge and experience in control and plant identification

Proficient at using GPS equipment and/or applications (i.e. Avenza Field Maps OnX) to determine project area.

Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software programs including Word and Excel

Class A CDL

Experience with:

• Working independently or as part of a team on assigned tasks
• Wildlife habitat relationships
• Using heavy equipment and farm implements
• Welding metal work and basic carpentry
• Vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Small engine maintenance and repairs
• Irrigation systems

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An uptodate resume.
• 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.

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Employer

As part of WDFWs 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 phoneor email or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at.