Water Access Technician - Natural Resource Technician 3 (In-Training) - Permanent - *07164-24
FULL-TIME/PERMANENT
WATER ACCESS TECHNICIAN
NATURAL RESOURCE TECHNICIAN 3 (IN-TRAINING)
Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Lacey, Washington – Thurston County
Be responsible for assisting Water Access staff to help ensure WDFW properties and facilities are safe, clean, and properly maintained for public use.
Provide a safe and clean Water Access Areas for the purpose of recreational opportunities on WDFW Lands.
Provide technical support in the development and implementation of Wildlife Area projects and activities.
We are recruiting to hire at the Natural Resource Technician 2 or 3 level, and we will train a new hire at level 2 up to the Natural Resource Technician 3 level.
Depending on which level you are hired at, your salary will be as follows:
Natural Resource Technician 2 - $2,940.00 - $3,883.00 Monthly
Natural Resource Technician 3 - $3,294.00 - $4,385.00 Monthly
This is an opportunity to perform technical activities to maintain water access area facilities, equipment, tools, vehicles, and property related to infrastructure operation and maintenance.
With your experience, you will inspect and maintain access areas and public use resources on water access areas to ensure the health and safety of the public and the aesthetics of the WDFW lands.
We are seeking a candidate to perform integrated vegetation management activities and applies herbicide to control invasive or unwanted species.
Duties:
Here are some things you will do in this role:
Under the direction of Water Access Manager, independently provide maintenance on Water Access Wildlife Areas and WDFW owned/operated lands and facilities:
- Remove garbage and debris from restroom facility.
- Clean and sanitize toilets/urinals, handrails, walls, floors, and lights.
- Wash off moss or mildew from restroom facility.
- Clean and Inspect door locks, door handles and window.
Under the direction of Water Access Manager, independently performs vegetation management on WDFW owned/operated lands:
- Brushing, weed eating, and trimming of overgrowth and vegetation.
- Raking, blowing needle and leaves hand pulling or spraying weeds.
- Removal of fallen trees and debris from roads, boat ramps and parking areas
- Identify and report Danger trees, hazards, public safety concerns or liabilities.
Under the direction of Water Access Manager, conducts safety and maintenance activities:
- Report potential hazardous debris or spills to supervisor.
- Clean, repair or establish walkways, paths, and trails for pedestrian safe accessibility.
- Repair docks, railings, and facilities.
- Repair potholes and conduct grading activities in parking lots and roadways.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
-
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Primarily field work, which includes exposure to inclement weather including extreme heat or snow, difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks and sticky mud, and water. Hazards include tripping/falling and other things consistent with working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working from boats or around water.
- Some work is performed in an office or shop setting.
- 90%of work will occur at Water Access areas while 10% will vary from office, meetings, or fabrication shop setting.
- Stand or traverse on foot performing repetitive tasks.
- Must be able to walk, lift, bend, and stoop – sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 40 pounds of tools and/or equipment.
- Must be able to safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions. Use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, ATVs, UTVs, and must be able to load and transport heavy equipment. Sustained vehicle operation for long periods of time (2-4+hours).
- Regular contact with human waste and drug paraphernalia
- Must be able and willing to safely perform tasks in or around water, stand in waist deep water to repair ramps and docks.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
-
Schedule:
- Monday – Thursday, 6:00 AM – 4:30 PM, and ability and the willingness to work long irregular hours.
- Some variation for seasonal workloads, environmental conditions or public health, and safety needs.
- Night-time or weekend work on an as-needed basis.
-
Travel Requirements:
- Available for non-scheduled workweek and travel up to 15% of time.
- Frequent single-day trips to work sites throughout the region. Extensive driving time between Access Areas daily. Infrequent overnight travel to other areas of Washington, for up to 1 week at a time, may occur to attend conferences, training, assist with fieldwork, etc.
-
Tools and Equipment:
- Trucks, ATV’s, leaf blowers, weed eaters, hydraulic dump trailers, tractors, chippers, chain saws, pumps, brush cutters, rotary mowers, pressure washers, common gas and electric power and hand tools, and other specialized equipment and power tools, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
-
Customer Interactions:
- Daily interaction with hunters, fishers, dog walkers, hikers, boaters, swimmers and other WDFW Wildlife Area, Access Area and Enforcement staff. Occasional communications/interactions with uncooperative distraught, or hostile site users, landowners and or the public.
Qualifications:
This Natural Resource Technician 3 (In-Training) series provides mentoring and career development opportunities for candidates with limited experience.
Candidates will be hired as a Natural Resource Technician 2 or Natural Resource Technician 3, dependent on skills and experience.
Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 2:
- High school graduation or GED.
And
- Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Worker 2.
- Definition of Natural Resource Worker: Under close supervision and as a member of an organized crew, performs unskilled forest, agriculture, and/or aquatic land management labor.
Or
- Three (3) years of related professional equivalent experience, including:
- Working on a farm / ranch.
- Conducting agricultural enhancement / farming activities.
- Operating heavy equipment
- Conducting wildlife habitat enhancement activities.
- General repairer
Or
- Equivalent education/experience.
License:
- Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Forklift Operation Certification
- Chain Operation (agency will provide training)
- Maintain First Aid / CPR / AED Training Certification (agency will provide training)
- Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.
Required Qualifications for the Natural Resource Technician 3:
- Two (2) years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, Engineering Aide 1, Administrative Assistant 1 or higher class performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use, transaction lease, or development.
Or
- Three (3) years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent.
Or
- A Bachelor’s degree with major study in business management, accounting, real estate, agriculture, aquatic land studies, police sciences or other business, law enforcement or natural resource studies.
Or
- An Associate degree in natural resource, law enforcement, or business studies and two (2) years of technical experience in land management.
License:
- Valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- Forklift Operation Certification
- Chain Operation (agency will provide training)
- Maintain First Aid / CPR / AED Training Certification (agency will provide training)
- Hold or obtain a Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six (6) months of hire.
- An agency will designate the need for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with specific endorsements. Candidates selected for CDL positions will be tested for use of a controlled substance and alcohol misuse as required by the 1991 Federal Omnibus Transportation Testing Act.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Experience in the use of agricultural practices and equipment.
- Experience in identifying Western Washington native plant species.
Knowledge of:
- Wildlife agricultural enhancement programs / farming practices.
- Wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration.
- Basics of carpentry, mechanical and facility repair.
- Small, large, and heavy equipment operation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting.
- Small engine tools such as pumps, chainsaws, and brush cutters.
- Computer software – Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS).
- Managing projects.
- Managing workloads.
- Safety procedures.
Ability to:
- Perform habitat management activities.
- Safely mix and apply pesticides.
- Repair and maintain buildings, fences, facilities, and equipment.
- Follow all safety guidelines and identify hazards while proficiently operating motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors with agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e., tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass / brush trimmers, etc.), shop equipment, ATVs, and boats.
- Perform basic troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance on motor vehicles, trailers, heavy equipment including excavators, backhoes, tractors, agricultural implements, small power equipment (i.e., tillers, mowers, chainsaws, and grass / brush trimmers, etc.), shop equipment, ATVs and boats.
- Identify wildlife and plant species and ability to visually distinguish biological and physical features.
- Oversee volunteers to include working with inmate work crews.
- Conduct field surveys to collect data. Use critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
- Use GPS, mapping software, computer with Microsoft Office software for collaborating, communications, word processing, spreadsheet applications, web-based tools, email, and calendar events.
- Effectively communicate both verbally and orally with agency staff, other agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
- Accept supervision and correction.
- Follow prescribed protocols and procedures as well as oral and written directions.
- Perform routine and repetitive work in a punctual and dependable manner.
- Complete required administrative paperwork in an accurate and timely manner.
- Work independently and as a team member.
Supplemental Information:
Please note: Failure to follow the instructions below may lead to disqualification.
Experience and education selected, listed, and detailed in the Supplemental Questions must be verifiable in the application.
In order to successfully 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.
- Three professional references.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9 Form) on their first day of work. If hired for this or any position at WDFW, you will be required to provide documentation proving you are eligible to work in the United States. For a list of acceptable documents, please use the following link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents
JOIN THE WDFW TEAM:
Learn about our agency and the perks of working for WDFW!
The Washington 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. We value demonstrated skill in living WDFW values of Accountability, Service, Professionalism, Integrity, Respect, and Empathy (ASPIRE).
WDFW employees may be eligible for the following Benefits:
Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Vacation, Sick, and other Leave types.
Eleven (11) Paid Holidays per year and one (1) personal holiday if the employee is scheduled to be, or has been, continuously employed by the State of Washington for at least four (4) months.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Long Term Disability & Life Insurance, Deferred Compensation Programs, Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA), and an Employee Assistance Program.
UNION - WAFWP:
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.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer
VETERAN PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of veteran preference, please do the following:
- Email a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter to Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and Vet (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – Veteran)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE NOTICE:
To take advantage of military spouse preference, please do the following:
- Notify us of your military spouse status by email at Cheri.Weld@dfw.wa.gov.
- Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and MS (for example: #10155 Biologist 1 – MS)
- Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.
Note: Please blackout any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
As part of WDFW’s efforts to advance respectful and inclusive work environments, the Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. Therefore, we want to ensure that all individuals feel welcome, are treated fairly and respectfully. All staff are empowered to fully contribute to serving their work unit, Agency, and the citizens of Washington.
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 please contact Jayme Chase by phone 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.