The 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.

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.

Farmer 1
(Fulltime, Non-permanent)

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recruiting to fill three (3) full time, non-permanent, Farmer 1 position’s located in the Wildlife Program. The duty station for this position is located at the Bob Oke Game Farm, 3302 Mount Vista Rd. Centralia, WA. Lewis County. The employment period is three (3) months starting in March and ending late May 2018.

The purpose of this position is to assist the Farmer 6 Supervisor in the maintenance of WDFW’s Bob Oke game farm for outdoor hunting recreation through the propagation of ring-necked pheasants in Western Washington. This position is to help maintain and perform repairs on existing and new flight pens within the Bob Oke Game Farm. A strong knowledge of field fencing construction, engineering and problem solving are needed. Use of hand tools and machinery such as hammers, hog ring pliers, air compressors, nai; guns and excavators are used frequently.

• Picks, washes and sorts (culls) pheasant eggs for quality
• Feeds pheasants by hand and mechanical means; requires strength and agility to lift (repeatedly) up to 10lbs. of seeds. Able and willing to drive a tractor with a feed cart.
• Equipment and facilities maintenance.
• Small equipment repair, such as replacing broken or leaking hoses, replacing leaking gaskets, and changing spark plugs.
• Maintains equipment and facilities. Operates, cleans, greases, oils, services, and makes repairs to tools and equipment.
• Pressure wash.
• Collect and transport pheasants to flight pens, then to release areas throughout Western  and Eastern Washington.
• Fence construction and removal, builds and maintains fences; grades and maintains roads; operates and maintains trucks, tractors, plows, disks and harrows;
• Install/remove posts, stretch / or remove wire, build stretch points and patch broken wires.
• Replace and mend netting.
• Repair and/or replace gates.
• Check and maintain boundary fences. Construct new fences as required. Remove old interior fences as time allows.

Competencies:
Well qualified applicants will demonstrate competencies in the following areas:

• Use sound judgment when completing assigned tasks;
• Follow written and oral directions;
• Ability to work independently and safely in remote locations.
• Safely operate small and large equipment including trucks, tractors, mini-excavators, and ATV’s.
• Respectful and tactful with/to coworkers and the public.
• Safely operate hand and power tools and equipment.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with WDFW staff, other agencies, private landowners, and the general public;
• Repair barbed wire fences and netting including gates, H-braces and rock jacks.
• Use and maintain vehicles, equipment and tools including: hand tools, chainsaws, drills, welders, grinders, saws, pumps, sprayers, mowers, pickup trucks, pull and maneuver trailers, ATV’s, and heavy equipment.

Desired Qualifications:
One year experience on a tractor, All-terrain vehicle and full size pick-up trucks.
6 months experience of full time animal husbandry.
Some welding and minor repairs on farm machinery, hand tools, and other metal equipment.
Knowledge of: ferrous and non-ferrous metals under welding conditions; welding equipment; fluxes and hardening agents; fundamentals of heat treatment.

• Work in all weather conditions and sometimes over difficult terrain and surfaces up to 90% of the time.
• Walk, bend, and stoop, often on uneven terrain while at times carrying up to 30 pounds.
• Load and transport equipment and gear.
• Works alone in remote locations.
• Works with live birds; repeatedly lifts and carries up to 30 pound buckets; operates vehicles, equipment and hand tools; walks, runs, bends, squats and reaches to gather birds and eggs, carry birds and feed buckets, and place bird pens on vehicles.
• 8 Hour, 5 days a week. 2 days off and may vary during high work load periods. Work hours outside of the regular hours of 8:00 am–5:00 pm including weekends;
• Travel between wildlife areas in both Eastern and Western Washington to complete job tasks. Travel may include daily round trips of up to 150 miles. Must travel up to 8 hours once a week during the months of September through November.

Union
This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish and Wildlife Professionals (WAFWP).  As a condition of employment you must either join the union and pay union dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.

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 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.