• Serves as lead contact and facilitator of WDFW Private Lands Access Programs across south-central Washington (Region 3). Seeks to build strong working relationships with private landowners to gain support for public hunting access on private lands.
• Reviews sites and considers wildlife resources and facilities to develop access plans for public hunting in irrigated and dryland farm ground, ranchland, and forested environments while addressing the needs and concerns of the landowner.
• Enrolls private landowners in WDFW access programs and manages access contracts in WDFW contract system. Posts signs on private lands access sites.
• Directs the public to wildlife recreation activities and provides excellent customer service to inquiring hunters.
• Maintains accurate and up to date online data base of private lands access sites.
• Collects data on hunter use, hunter and landowner attitudes, and game animal use. Analyzes data and writes summary reports.

The incumbent will work with partner agencies (NRCS, FSA, Conservation Districts, NGO’s) and private landowners on fish and wildlife objectives related to Farm Bill and other conservation programs.

• Promote USDA Farm Bill programs and practices that improve or maintain wildlife habitat.
• Provided technical expertise to USDA staff and landowners regarding wildlife habitat needs and restoration practices related to Federal Farm Bill programs.
• Write USDA Conservation Plans for CRP and other habitat programs that specify preferred methods for site preparation, seeding techniques, and maintenance activities.
• Evaluate current stand conditions, establishment successes and failures, and make recommendations to landowners.
• Maintain good working relationships with landowners and ensure they are meeting project benchmarks and adhering to their USDA conservation plan.

The incumbent will work with private landowners to facilitate restoration and habitat enhancement projects on private lands.

• Seek to build strong working relationships with private landowners interested in fish and wildlife conservation.
• Procure external funding for wildlife habitat enhancement projects for interested landowners.
• Provide technical expertise regarding appropriate plant materials and installation practices.
• Plan and implement habitat improvement projects utilizing farm implements, volunteers, and other WDFW staff.

The incumbent will supervise a technician for 6 months of the year to assist with private lands access program tasks.

• Train, assign, and direct the work of the Region 3 Access Technician for 6 months of the year.
• Monitor and inspect work in progress to ensure continuity and timely completion of work and also develops a Performance Development Plan.
• Provides feedback regarding performance, and conducts timely and meaningful employee performance evaluations.
• Manages personnel issues relating to staff conflicts, absenteeism, performance issues, etc. in a positive and effective manner.

Research and Analytical Skills/Abilities: Ability to collect data according to established protocols and make independent judgements in the field in the absence of the Supervisor.
Ability to: use standard field equipment; perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather. Coordinate and organize activities. Manage projects and workloads.
Relationship-Building Skills/Abilities: Ability to develop positive, productive, respectful working relationships with coworkers and collaborators. Sensitivity to the concerns of Public and Private Landowners, especially in rural and agricultural settings.
Computer Resources: Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel, familiarity within Windows driven computer programs. Experience with GIS systems including ARC.

Well-qualified applicants will demonstrate competencies in the following areas:
Job Knowledge:

• Wildlife population relationships, ecology.
• Wildlife habitat relationships.
• GIS proficiency.
• Restoration techniques in arid environments
• Hunting practices and regulations
• Understanding of Farm Bill agriculture programs
• General farming management practices
• Weed species and control practices
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques including experience working with both hunted (game) and non-hunted (non-game) species.
• Computer hardware and software (MS Office, ArcGIS)

Ability to:

• Coordinate and organize activities.
• Manage projects and workloads.
• Supervise, schedule, delegate tasks, train and review work of a technician.
• Apply standard statistical techniques to analyze data.
• Prepare detailed reports and communicate effectively.
• Perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather
• Organize and prioritize work for self and others.
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Follow prescribed protocols and procedures.
• Conduct field surveys and collect data.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Build and maintain positive and trusting relationships with private landowners
• Communication effectiveness
• Organizational awareness.
• Work effectively independently and as a member of a team.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Accountability
• Performance leadership.
• Ethics and integrity.
• Results orientation and initiative.

• As much as 50% or more of the work of this position may take place in the field.
• Other duties are accomplished in an office environment.
• The successful candidate must be willing and able to work long irregular hours, with a non-scheduled workweek and perform terrestrial, aerial and/or water-based surveys, work in inclement weather walking long distances over difficult terrain. Terrain challenges may include slippery rocks, steep slopes, and sticky mud, must be able to bend, stoop, and at times carry up to 40 pounds, load and transport equipment and gear. Some time may be spent on hands and knees crossing fences  and walking or crawling through dense weeds and woody debris. These positions are physically demanding.
• Employees must be comfortable navigating and driving on logging roads and be able to safely operate motor vehicles in field situations, complete administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner, and work both independently and as a team member.
• The successful candidate will also be expected to acquire and/or maintain a valid driver’s license, and complete first aid training.

Union
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.

How to Apply
To apply for this position you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov.
If you do not fill out the application profile employment history section and provide references in the application profile, then please attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A current resume (please make it succinct)
• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualification of this position (generic cover letters will not be accepted)
• Three professional references (personal references do not count as professional)

Please ATTACH a cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted). Failure to attach a cover letter will eliminate you from continuing to compete for the position.

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.