Title- Wildlife Area Technician

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division – Region 2

Duty Station- Brewster, Washington – Okanogan County

Wildlife Areas- Big Bend, Sagebrush Flat, and Wells Wildlife Areas

Spray Operator- This position is eligible for an additional 10% pay differential when the incumbent is a licensed spray operator performing spray operator duties as noted in the duties listed below.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Landscape of Big Bend Wildlife Area – Photo Credit: WDFW

If you enjoy working outdoors and want to play a hands-on role in habitat conservation, this opportunity might be a great fit.

This position supports maintenance and habitat management efforts across the Douglas County Wildlife Area Complex, including Sagebrush Flat, Big Bend, and Wells Wildlife Areas. You’ll help care for these landscapes by assisting with weed control, habitat restoration, and monitoring activities that keep ecosystems healthy and functioning.

In this role, you’ll get a mix of field-based work and equipment operation. Day-to-day tasks include assisting with herbicide applications, supporting habitat enhancement projects, maintaining signs and site infrastructure, and operating a variety of tools and equipment. It’s a practical, boots-on-the-ground position where your work directly contributes to improving wildlife habitat.

Beaver den – Photo Credit: Alan Bauer

What to Expect:

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

Implement existing programs to enhance wildlife habitat:

• Prepare soil through discing and mowing.
• Plant shrubs and trees, seed, and maintain irrigation systems using tractors, utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and implements.
• Irrigate food plots and shrub rows on a weekly schedule using water pumps, hand lines, wheel lines, permanent irrigation lines, and center pivot system.
• Restore, enhance, and maintain shrubsteppe and riparian habitats. Assist with building beaver dam analogs and Zeedyk rock structures in creeks and streams.

Conduct noxious weed control across the wildlife area:

• Apply herbicides using trucks, tractors, UTVs, ATVs, and backpack sprayers on state listed noxious weeds; remove weeds through mechanical methods.
• Calculate applications rates and mix herbicides and adjuvants to rate and equipment specifications.
• Proficient at using GPS equipment and mapping (e.g., OnX Hunt Maps, ArcGIS).
• Maintain pesticide application records consistent with Washington laws and regulations.

Operate and maintain equipment:

• Safely operate and maintain tractors, ATVs, UTVs, trucks, farm implements, and gas-powered and hand tools, including in off-road conditions.
• Utilize trailers for hauling equipment and materials including safely loading, securing, and transporting.
• Drive 50hp-400hp tractors with attached implements to mow, disc, cultivate, harrow, or spray fields to establish or maintain restored habitats.

Maintain capital facilities and wildlife area infrastructure:

• Use a variety of hand tools including hammer, shovel, wire cutters, tamping bars, hand saws, and chainsaws to repair fences.
• Maintain and repair interpretive signs, trail signs, and kiosks to provide information to the public.
• Pick up and remove litter and debris to maintain aesthetic quality of the area.
• Mow and prune woody vegetation adjacent to trails, viewpoints, bridges, and parking areas to maintain clearance for public safety.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work Setting, including hazards:

Field 90% office 5%. Navigate through wetlands or upland shrub/steppe habitats while walking, occasionally carrying, and/or moving up to 40 pounds over uneven and difficult terrain. Transporting and loading gear. This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments. This position involves the handling and application of pesticides in accordance with state and federal regulations and agency safety policies.

Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions.

Travel Requirements:

Daily travel to field sites located within Douglas and Okanogan counties, which may include daily round trips of up to 170 miles. Occasional travel (5-10%) may be required for training or meetings.

Tools and Equipment:

Trucks, pickup vehicles, ATVs, UTVs, boats, trailers, tractors with a variety of implements, heavy equipment, sprayers, power, hand tools, GPS units, and computer.

Customer Interactions:

Occasional public interactions may occur during the workday.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: One (1) year as a Natural Resource Worker 2.

Option 2: One (1) year of experience in habitat management, land management, agriculture, natural resource management, forestry, wildlife management, environmental science, or a closely related field.

Option 3: An associate’s degree or higher in habitat management, land management, agriculture, natural resource management, forestry, wildlife management, environmental science, or a closely related field.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Hold or obtain the following licenses/certifications within six (6) months of hire (agency will provide training):
  • Pesticide Applicator's License
  • First Aid Training Certification
  • ATV/UTV Certification

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

• Experience in building and equipment maintenance, construction, or repair work.
• Experience operating four-wheel drive vehicles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
• Experience maintaining vehicles and equipment, such as pumps, small engines, and tractors.
• Knowledge and experience with farming practices.
• Knowledge of fire management practices, wildlife habitat relationships, and weed control.
• Proficiency using GPS equipment to determine project areas.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Pesticide Applicator's License.
• First Aid Certification.
• ATV / UTV Certification.

Your application should include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date 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 (3) professional references with current contact 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:

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 Ashley.Lee@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: 2026-1234 – 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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-03968.

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