The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable recreational and commercial opportunities dependent on viable fish and wildlife populations. Each day, WDFW employees facilitate fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for millions of residents and visitors. WDFW’s employees–field and laboratory biologists, geneticists, research scientists, hatchery professionals, policy experts, fully commissioned law enforcement officers, land stewards, lab technicians, property acquisition specialists, customer service representatives and others work throughout the state. WDFW employees protect and restore critical habitat, strive to facilitate species recovery when necessary, and manage hundreds of fish and wildlife species. WDFW employees maintain nearly a million acres of public wildlife lands. They interpret, apply and enforce state and federal laws and collaborate with stakeholders to protect fish and wildlife resources. Find out more about us and the important work we are a part of at www.wdfw.wa.gov.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill a part time, career seasonal, Natural Resource Technician 2 position located in the Wildlife Program, Region 3. The duty station for this position is located at 201 N. Pearl Street, Ellensburg WA 98926.  The employment period is a nine (9) month Career Seasonal position scheduled for October through June (annually).  This position in the Wildlife Program is supervised by the LT Murray Wildlife Area Manager.

• Conduct elk winter feeding operations.
• Assist District Biologists with aerial and ground elk herd surveys.
• Maintain a daily log of hay inventory, elk counts, and elk body condition.
• Summarize data.
• Drive and maintain a 2.5-ton hay truck in winter conditions.
• Load hay using heavy equipment.
• Position will interact with the public daily and manage occasional volunteer elk feeding opportunities.
• Position controls weeds using backpack sprayers and ATV-mounted boom sprayers.
• Enter/edit spray records and maintain the weed control database.
• Assess WDFW lands for weed outbreaks, document new weed populations, and create maps.
• Order appropriate chemicals and bio-controls, and create annual summary reports.
• Maintains/repairs 13 miles of elk fence and 65 miles of stock fence.
• Maintain signs, gates, facilities and equipment.
• Implement restoration project goals such as planting and seeding.
• Operating heavy equipment, ATVs, farming equipment, and hand tools
• Represent the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in a professional manner. Have professional and respectful dialog with other agencies and/or civilians.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Prefer three (3) years of experience as a Habitat Technician, Scientific Technician or equivalent similar technician in wildlife field.
• Position will be required to maintain a pesticide applicators license and is expected to know and abide by pesticide application laws.

The successful candidate will possess the following skills & abilities:

• Ability to effectively collaborate, cooperate; negotiate resolution of disputes between competing parties.
• Balances quality of work with ability to meet deadlines by making efficient and effective use of available time, equipment and resources. Demonstrate organization and time management skills to effectively prioritize workload and maximize efficiency.
• Works with dedication, commitment and professionalism.
• Adapts to stressful or changing situations and priorities. Transitions easily between tasks, responding quickly and efficiently to work requests; successfully returns to incomplete tasks and continues work with minimal need to become re-oriented to the task.
• Works accurately and timely with minimal supervision. Exhibits self-initiative in developing or upgrading knowledge and skills, and applying that new knowledge or skills in the work environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel; Access, ArcGIS, and personal computers, familiarity within Windows driven computer programs.
• This position must ensure to keep management timely apprised of controversial issues, especially politically sensitive matters, and consult with supervisor and management prior to acting on particularly sensitive or controversial matters or representing the Department on such matters so that WDFW management can participate in deciding positions or actions to be taken.

• This is primarily a field position with up to 90% of the work week spent outside. The incumbent will need to be able to work long hours in inclement weather conditions along busy state highways and walk streams through thick vegetation, climbing over and around log jams and wood debris on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces while carrying up to 50lbs of field gear. The other 10% of the work week is spent in the office entering data with typical office hazards (e.g. sharp edges on desks, unprotected corners on overhead cabinets, unsecured shelving and cabinets, and tripping hazards). The employee will at times be required to carry a heavy pack (< 40 pounds) and haul fencing material, signs, or trapping equipment.
• Work during April-June; October-November is 40 hours/week, on a 4-10 schedule. During winter feeding, work schedule is 40 hours/week, 6 days/week, including some holidays and weekends.
• Vehicle travel up to 200 miles per day to survey locations. Overnight travel is a possibility.
• Ability to operate, tractors, ATVs, drill motors, and trailers.
• Effective negotiation with landowners, the general public, in addition with other Agency personnel and project partners, local government officials, tribal representatives, agriculture, forest, and special interest groups.
• Maintain a current and valid WA State Driver’s License;
• Maintain current pesticide applicator license.

How to Apply:
To 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 (please make it succinct)
• Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)

Please note:  Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or in lieu of attaching your documents to the online profile.

Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirming e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NeoGov. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.

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 may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.