The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to protecting native fish and wildlife, and providing sustainable fishing, hunting, and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors. Working throughout the state, WDFW’s employees: field biologists, enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, customer service representatives and others – manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species, maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands, provide opportunities for recreational and commercial fishing, wildlife viewing and hunting, protect and restore habitat and enforce laws that protect fish and wildlife resources. Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov.

Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Full-time; Permanent)

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill one full time permanent Natural Resource Specialist 2 position located in the Wildlife Program, Region 5. The duty station is in Vancouver, Clark County.

This position serves as the Assistant Wildlife Area Manager for the Mt. St. Helens / Shillapoo Wildlife Area Complex. This complex is comprised of over 10,000 acres of WDFW owned and managed lands spread across four counties (Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum). The Assistant Manager assists the Wildlife Area Manager in providing oversight, management, and direction for the Mt. St. Helens / Shillapoo Wildlife Area Complex and implements Wildlife Program goals, objectives, and assignments.

DUTIES:

Primary duties include the following:

• ·  Development and implementation of the Shillapoo and Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Area Management Plans;
• ·  Implement Wildlife Area plan activities including habitat enhancement, maintenance, and recreation

  management. Assesses, designs, and implements habitat, species, and recreation projects on Wildlife Area complex;

Job Bulletin

• ·  Performs enhancement and maintenance activities (habitat, species, or recreational), including operation of heavy farm and construction equipment and directing the work of temporary employees and contractors;
• ·  Conducts ground and aerial wildlife and habitat surveys to monitor habitat, wildlife, and recreation;
• ·  Plans projects to maintain/improve habitat, species and/or recreation, making decisions based on

  Wildlife Area Plan goals, and project objectives;

• ·  Provides recommendations for capital improvement projects for Wildlife Area; development and

  management of the operating budget;

• ·  Plans and performs wildlife habitat improvement and maintenance projects through vegetation

  management;

• ·  Manages noxious weeds on the Shillapoo and Mt. St. Helens Wildlife Areas;
• ·  Facilitates, manages, and monitors public use and maintains capital facilities/infrastructure such as

  roads and parking areas, signs, water control structures, and equipment (including buildings, grounds,

  irrigation systems, public use facilities, farm equipment, vehicles, ATVs, and other tools);

• ·  Monitors agreements on behalf of the state with private and governmental agencies on issues of land

  use and habitat management;

• ·  Develops, reviews, and comments on project proposals involving habitat, recreational, or other land

  uses;

• ·  Advises and works as liaison with non-governmental organizations and public; assisting as internal and

  external liaison for the Wildlife Areas;

• ·  Analyzes and ensures safety of facilities on Wildlife Areas.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

  A Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, forestry, agriculture, natural resource science, environmental science, soil science, range ecology, or closely allied field; AND two years of professional level experience in wildlife or habitat management.

  OR
  Two years of professional experience as a Natural Resource Specialist 1 (which requires a Bachelor’s degree

  involving major study in forestry, agriculture, aqua culture, business, engineering, geology, forestry or a related natural science and one year of related professional experience).

  A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource science, environmental science, soil science, range ecology, or closely allied field will substitute for one year of the required experience.

  Preferred Experience:

• ·  A strong working knowledge and experience working with management and manipulation of wetland plant communities (moist soil management) is highly desirable.
• ·  Previous experience identifying waterfowl and shorebirds.
• ·  Background in the use of agricultural practices and equipment is highly desirable.
• ·  Experience with biological data collection is highly desired.
• ·  Experience in identifying Western Washington native plant species is highly desirable.
• ·  Pesticide application license.
• ·  Noxious weed control plan development and implementation.
• ·  CDL may be required in the future.
• ·  Land management and farming practices.

  REQUIRED

  Valid Washington State, or other state, driver’s license is required.

  Competencies

  Well qualified applicants will demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

• ·  Management plan development and implementation;
• ·  Fish and wildlife habitat relationships and management requirements
• ·  Habitat enhancement and management activities;
• ·  Wildlife habitat maintenance activities, such as mowing, planting, seeding, fertilizer and herbicide application;
• ·  Operation and maintenance of motor vehicles, tractors and farm implements, construction equipment,

Job Bulletin

ATV’s, boats, and herbicide application equipment;

• ·  Identify wildlife and plant species; experience in identifying waterfowl and shorebirds in the field;
• ·  Wildlife and habitat survey techniques;
• ·  Computer software and hardware to include MS Office, mapping programs such as ArcGIS preferred,

  and hand-held GPS equipment;

• ·  Safety procedures;
• ·  Coordinate and organize activities and manage multiple projects;
• ·  Communicate effectively in writing and orally.