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.

DutiesResponsible for monitoring, restoring, and/or managing habitat on wildlife areas. Performs habitat management work through weed control, forestry, and farming activities

• Lead, manage, and provide technical input for projects to update and develop.
• Stabilizes and revegetates disturbed sites.
• Implements Integrated Pest Management Program (IMP) on wildlife areas.
• Performs habitat maintenance activities.
• Cultivates native vegetation and food plots using predefined methodologies.
• Conducts field reviews of restored sites and recommends future management activities.
• Manages fuel generated by forest management activities
• Assures compliance with applicable laws, label restrictions, and record keeping associated with agricultural chemical applications to wildlife areas.
• Assists with purchases of seed, fertilizer, herbicides, etc.
• Operation of heavy farm equipment.
• Solves field and equipment problems to complete the assignment within timeframe

Conducts studies, field reviews, and surveys on habitat, wildlife, and recreation on wildlife areas.

• Reviews and/or studies wildlife, plants, habitats, and recreational use on wildlife areas. Implements wildlife area plan activities, including habitat and recreation management. Plans, coordinates and monitors ecosystem/habitat enhancement projects on wildlife area to benefit fish and wildlife.
• Participate in interagency projects that contribute to the restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitat via wildlife area use plans, regulations and actions.
• Surveys wildlife areas for invasive vegetation, native T&E plants, and general habitat conditions; and uses predefined methodologies to implement appropriate management.
• Surveys wildlife areas for priority wildlife species.
• Facilitates and monitors public use on wildlife areas.
• Assures compliance with applicable laws, label restrictions, and record keeping associated with agricultural chemical applications to wildlife areas.
• Analyzes and reports results of surveys.
• Writes reports and plans for review by Wildlife Area Manager.

Conduct outreach and communicate with neighbors, stakeholders, land-use permit holders, and general public regarding wildlife area activities, permits, and plans.

• Contributes to the development, updating, and implementing Wildlife Area Plans;
• Works with other WDFW staff, Federal, State and/or local agencies, non-governmental organizations and the public to develop and implement ecosystem/habitat management and public access projects on wildlife area lands.  Provides information to public, either written or via presentation, regarding wildlife species, habitat enhancement and management, and recreational opportunities.
• Provides consultation to neighboring landowners related to grazing and agricultural land-use permits, and to other agency staff on fish, wildlife, habitat, and recreation on WDFW lands.
• Attends meetings with external groups/constituents.
• Coordinates management activities with adjacent landowners.
• Assists with development of grazing plans, agricultural leases, and other land-use permits. Monitors permits and keeps appropriate records.

Principal assistant to Wildlife Area Manager.

• This position is secondary contact (primary is the Wildlife Area Manager) for emergencies, issues, and questions, and is primary contact when Wildlife Area Manager is on leave.
• Assumes duties of Wildlife Area Manager in his/her absence.
• Assists with grants to maintain/improve wildlife area.
• Assist in developing wildlife area spending plans; and manages and monitors budgets. Identifies and develops capital improvement projects (e.g., fencing, water control structures, and facilities) on the wildlife area.
• Assists in monitoring for operations and capital budgets and projects.
• Analyzes data and write reports.

Maintain facilities, infrastructure, and equipment operation and maintenance and public trust responsibilities.

• Assists in development of capital improvement projects.
• Maintains existing capital facilities and project equipment on wildlife area..
• Analyzes and assures safety of facilities.
• Monitors public use on the wildlife area and manages a network of digital car counters, ensuring access and recreational uses of the wildlife areas are consistent with wildlife and habitat goals;
• Repairs and maintains infrastructure, and maintains and operates small and large equipment; maintains equipment in proper working order.

May supervise staff.

•  Assists in recruiting and coordinating in hiring of staff. Trains, mentors, direct, and evaluate staff performance. Directs work of seasonal or permanent staff on wildlife area.
• Directs the efforts of volunteers or Master Hunters on wildlife areas.
• Trains staff and volunteers, organizes and oversees work crews and contractors.

QualificationsRequired Qualifications: 
A Bachelor’s degree in rangeland science, ecology, agricultural science, natural resource science, environmental science, or a closely related land management field of study.
AND one year of professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research
Note: A Master’s degree in the applicable science will substitute for one year of the required experience.
Note: A Ph.D. in the applicable science will substitute for two years of the required experience.

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Knowledge of:

• methods and practices of land management; integrated pest management; wildland restoration; contract administration, technical habitat processes; elements of habitat for wildlife and fish; wildlife habitat management techniques; environmental regulations; principles and procedures of fish, wildlife or habitat biological research; standard negotiating practices; principles and procedures of biological research.

Ability to:

• Proficiently drive, operate, haul and maintain work truck, tractor, trailer and backhoe.
• Safely apply herbicides and pesticides.
• Work independently.
• Follow all safety guidelines and requirements.
• Effectively train staff.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Listen to requests and respond appropriately.
• Work with the public in a respectful manner.
• De-escalate confrontational situations.
• Understand and perform basic math functions.

Write and speak clearly and effectively; coordinate, lead, or supervise technical or nontechnical volunteers or staff; negotiate resolution of disputes between competing parties; perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather; organize and schedule land management studies; apply research and statistical methods and techniques to a project or program; utilize computers for routine data analysis and word processing tasks;  gain cooperation of interested groups or landowners on Department land management programs; supervise use and maintenance of land, buildings, and equipment; coordinate, lead, or supervise technical or nontechnical volunteers or staff; perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather; analyze environmental information; prepare written reports and make oral presentations; interpret environmental regulations and related laws.

Behavioral Competencies:

• Accountability.
• Resourcefulness in problem solving.
• Results oriented.
• Adaptability/flexibility.
• Reading, comprehending and retaining information.
• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Organizational and political awareness.
• Ethics and integrity.
• Safety awareness and self-sufficiency in a wide variety of situations

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to:

• Drive a manual transmission truck and tow a trailer.
• Operate ATV’s and heavy duty farm equipment.
• Operate backpack and ATV mounted sprayer used in herbicide applications.
• Operate chainsaws and other equipment used in forest habitat management.
•  Experience with heavy equipment operation and maintenance.
• WSDA public operator’s license and experience with the use of herbicides and implementing an integrated pest management program.
• Efficient use of computer and computer related technology for efficiency of communication.
• Experience with livestock behavior and management, including fence repair and construction.
• Experience with ESRI ArcMap (GIS mapping systems) and GPS to gather information and generate maps.
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group PM-310-1 Red Card certified.
• Experience in wildland restoration and farming techniques.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment

Supplemental InformationWorking Conditions:
Work Setting, including hazards:Office and field:

• Ability to work in difficult terrain, independently and often with little supervision.
• Ability to work in inclement weather, including extreme heat or snow, over difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, water, and mud up to 60-70% of the time.
• Ability to walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to load and transport equipment and gear weighing over 50 pounds over uneven terrain.
• Ability to use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to visually discriminate when identifying and distinguishing biological and physical features.
• Willingness and ability to perform routine and repetitive work.
• Willingness and ability to perform in a punctual and dependable manner.
• Willingness to perform in a safe and efficient manner.
• Willingness to accept supervision and correction.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to complete required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to safely operate motor vehicles, trailers, farm machinery, shop equipment, and ATV’s in field situations.
• Ability to travel up to 10% of time.
• Available for non-scheduled work week and travel.
• Willingness and ability to work long irregular hours.
• Willingness to perform aerial and/or aquatic surveys.
• Ability to work alone in remote areas in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ability to clearly and concisely write for public understanding.
• Ability to articulate species information and data interpretation.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days):

• Overtime Eligible; M-F, 8 am – 5 pm; at times work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments. Available for non-scheduled work week and travel. Willingness and ability to work long irregular hours.

Travel Requirements:

• Daily travel to field sites. 5% to 10% occasional overnight travel required for training or meetings. Must have the ability to operate a vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license.

Tools and Equipment:

• Personal computer hardware and software (MS/Office/Outlook), GPS and software, radio telemetry equipment (transmitters and attachment, receivers, antennas, tracking methods), digital cameras; binoculars and spotting scopes, radios, pickup truck, flatbed truck, utility trailer, ATV, chipper, fire suppression equipment, wheeled tractors, boat, trailer, tractor, sprayers.
• Work also requires standard hand tools such as shovels, jacks, bow saws, pruning saws, backpack sprayer, fence post drivers, wire stretchers, and tools used in carpentry. Power and hand tools used include chain saws, brush cutters, mowers, electric herbicide sprayer, and standard shop tools such as grinders, drills, tablesaw and bandsaw, and handheld circular saw and saber saws.  Work includes use of implements mounted on tractors, small boats, lawnmowers, auger, drills, and tractors, backhoes, dump trailers, and bulldozers.

Customer Interactions:

• Interacts with the public while in the field.  Routine public response via phone and e-mail. Works with county and other state agency workers occasionally.  Deals with private businesses large and small during the purchase of materials for access area improvements, may at times work with WDFW wildlife manager and enforcement officers.

Other:

• Reports and interacts with agencies and NGOs. The position requires self – direction, and priorities are set independently. Ability to accomplish regular workload of skilled labor with emergent and sometimes conflicting demands depending on seasonal fluctuations. Maintain general service route while incorporating complaints, problems, and priority projects. Public health and safety issues dictate priorities.

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, include 3 professional references, 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 note: Failure to follow the above application instructions may lead to disqualification. Emailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the on line profile.

Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirmation 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.