Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician - Natural Resource Technician 3 - Permanent - 2026-09152

About the Department

Title- Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician 

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3 

Job Status- Full-Time - Permanent
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program  
Duty Station- Pasco, Washington – Franklin County

Please Note- Salary listed does not include spray operators pay – spray operator pay is base pay plus 10% while performing spray operation duties.

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Yakima River – Photo Credit: Alan Bauer

 

This is an opportunity to provide technical support within the Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access sites to enhance fish and wildlife habitats and public recreational opportunities. 

Collaborate with the Private Lands Biologist to engage with landowners, expand public access, and support habitat enhancements through weed suppression and planting efforts. 

Support the management and conservation of the Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area through habitat protection and maintenance, facility upkeep and infrastructure improvements.

 

 

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician will, 

 

Maintain access sites, signage, grounds, facilities, and equipment on the Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access properties:

• Maintain and operate equipment and tools such as pickup trucks, large and small tractors, ATV’s, trailers, spray equipment, drills, augers, and hand tools.
• Maintain wildlife area access sites by removing debris, repairing access area boundaries, and restocking kiosk materials.
• Install and maintain hunting access points, parking lots, and kiosks.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• Distribute, collect, and enter Register to Hunt and Hunt by Written Permission forms into the private lands access database and enter Wildlife Area Register to Hunt forms into the wildlife area database.
• Assess migratory bird use of agricultural fields to determine high-priority areas for gaining hunter access.
• Mark, using GPS, the boundaries of private lands enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program and assist in creating maps.

Implement wildlife habitat improvements on Wildlife Area and on Private Lands access sites:

• Assess and monitor wildlife habitat conditions.
• Spray noxious weeds including the proper mixing, recording, and storing of chemicals.
• Assist with habitat shrub plantings, native grass and forb seedings, and forage crop seedings.
• Assist with monitoring and management of wildlife area wetlands by maintaining water levels.
• Mow, disk, seed and lay fabric mulch.
• Monitor habitat sites for wildlife use, watering, and Integrated Pest Management needs.

 

Communication and outreach: 

• Communicate private lands program requirements and benefits to landowners.
• Assist with mapping private lands enrolled in WDFW access programs.
• Assist with preparation of contracts for enrollment in WDFW private lands access programs.

Working Conditions: 

 

Work setting, including hazards: 

• Primarily a field position with up to 90% of time spent outside and the other 10% of the time spent in the office entering data.
• Work long hours in inclement weather conditions including extreme heat, cold, rain and snow, along busy state highways and thick vegetation. Climb over and around fences and debris on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces while carrying up to 30lbs. of field gear. 
• May be required to use backpack sprayers or ATV sprayers to apply herbicides under direct supervision and implicit instructions.

 

Schedule: This is a full-time position (40 hours per week). During the spring and summer months, the typical schedule is four 10-hour days per week. During the late fall and winter months, the schedule typically shifts to five 8-hour days per week. Schedule may vary based on business needs, time of year, and weather conditions including the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed. 

 

Travel Requirements: Traveling in vehicles up to 250 miles per day, which includes commuting between different wildlife area units that span over 100 miles within Franklin, Benton, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties. Overnight travel rarely required.

 

Tools and Equipment: Pickup trucks, ATV’s, no till drills, trailers, herbicide spray equipment, tractors, farm implements, small engines, hand tools, smartphone, laptop, handheld GPS and satellite communication devices.

 

Customer Interactions: Maintain frequent interactions with hunters and the public. Communicate effectively with landowners, the public, agency personnel project partners, and local government officials. Explain and communicate current federal/state hunting regulations and regulatory actions. 

 

 

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: 

Option 1: Two (2) years of experience in habitat management, land management, agriculture, or natural resource operations.

Option 2: An associate’s degree or higher in natural resource management, forestry, wildlife management, agriculture, environmental science, or a closely related field.

Option 3: One (1) year of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.

In addition to the options above, the following are required: 

• At least six (6) months of experience operating equipment, such as vehicles, ATV’s or trailers.
• At least six (6) months of experience with hand and power tools in outdoor, construction, or habitat work settings.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid Driver’s License. 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess one or more of the following:

 

Bachelor’s degree or higher with major study in fisheries, wildlife, or habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or natural resource science.

License/Certification: 

• Public Pesticide Applicator License
• Hunter’s Safety Course Completion

 

Two (2) years of professional experience with the following: 

• Agricultural practices and equipment
• Planning and coordinating annual agricultural crop establishment
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species 
• Operating heavy equipment such as excavators, graders, or large agricultural machinery
• Maintaining or managing irrigation systems
• Conducting wildlife monitoring, surveys, or data collection
• Delivering public outreach, education, or hunter access programs 
• Vehicle maintenance and repairs
• Chronic wasting disease (CWD) epidemiology, ecology, and management 
• Collecting, processing, storing, and shipping diagnostic specimens
• Private Lands Access Programs (such as Feel Free to Hunt, Hunt by Reservation, etc.)
• Weed management techniques

 

 

Your application must include the following:

• A completed online application showcasing how your qualifications align with the job requirements.
• An up-to-date resume. 
• A cover letter detailing your interest in the position, your relevant skills and experience, and why you are the ideal candidate.
• At least three professional references with current contact information.

Other Qualifications

In addition to pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits that WDFW employees may be eligible for. Click the “Benefits” tab at the top of this announcement to learn more.

 

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

 

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.

 

Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice: 

Per RCW 73.16.010 Veterans and qualifying spouses who meet the minimum qualifications of a position are eligible for preference during the initial application review stage. To receive this benefit, please do the following: 

• Notify us of your veteran or military spouse status by email at [email protected].  
• Veterans only – Attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22 or USDVA signed verification of service letter.
  • Please redact any PII (personally identifiable information) data such as social security numbers.
• Subject line must include recruitment number, position, and spouse/veteran (example: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

 

 

 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

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.

 

Request an accommodation: 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 [email protected], or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

 

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or [email protected]. 

 

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to [email protected] and reference job #2026-09152.

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Benefits

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits. 

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays 
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday. 

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave 
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. 

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.  

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave 
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

Supplemental Questions

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Agency Information

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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov