Natural Resource Specialist - Wenas Wildlife Area

Title: Natural Resource Specialist 2

Job Status: Full‑Time / Permanent

Program: WDFW Wildlife Program – Land Division
Duty Station: Wenas Wildlife Area – Selah, Washington – Yakima County

This position provides hands‑on field support on the Wenas Wildlife Area, covering more than 120,000 acres of WDFW‑managed lands in Yakima and Kittitas Counties.

Under the direction of the Wildlife Area Manager, you will support the management of wildlife‑oriented recreation and public use, acting as a key link between WDFW and nearby communities including Yakima, Selah, and Ellensburg.

• Maintain facilities, structures and equipment.
• Implement projects to enhance habitats, species and recreational opportunities.
• Protect and improve shrub‑steppe, forest and riparian habitats while ensuring safe, well‑managed recreational access and high‑quality customer service.
• Assist with habitat, fish, wildlife and recreational use management activities on the Wenas Wildlife Area.
• Oversee multiple target shooting sites.
• Lead volunteer projects on trail maintenance and other recreational projects.
• Develop a strong understanding of the different forms of recreation on the Wildlife Area such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
• Develop and implement habitat projects to benefit critical wildlife species.
• Map and analyze data to determine status of plant, animal and habitat conditions.
• Assist in formulating changes in regulations.
• Monitor recreational use and its impacts or potential impacts on vegetation, wildlife and habitats.
• Maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, facilities and infrastructure for safe and effective operation.
• Assist the WLA Manager with planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of habitat enhancement projects.
• Prepare work plans, administration and required reports.
• Develop professional working relationships with user groups, adjacent neighbors and the broader community.

Primarily field work with supplementary duties in shop and office environments. Hazards include inclement weather, uneven terrain, power equipment, and operating heavy equipment outdoors. Duties require driving 4x4 trucks and ATVs on primitive roads in all weather. Physical demands include walking, lifting, bending, stooping, and carrying up to 40 pounds. Tasks may involve water environments.

• Full‑time, 40 hours per week.
• Potential for occasional evening or weekend work.
• Travel: overnight travel is seldomly required.

• Standard field tools (shovels, fence post drivers, spray equipment).
• Chainsaws, other power tools, ATVs, tractors, mowers, skid steers, backhoes, dozers, large trucks and attachments.
• Agency vehicles, office equipment (computer, copier, scanner).
• GPS units, ArcGIS, smartphones and a digital camera.

Communicate with the public during field work, by email and phone, and at public meetings. Develop professional relationships with neighboring landowners, user groups and members of the broader community. Regular interaction with upset or distressed individuals may occur.

Required:

• Option 1:
  Five (5) years of professional experience in a related natural resource specialty area (farm/ranch work, agricultural enhancement, heavy equipment operation, wildlife habitat enhancement).
• Option 2:
  Bachelor’s degree in forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, geology, recreation or related natural science plus one (1) year of professional experience in the same area.
• Option 3:
  Equivalent education/experience.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred:

• Commercial Driver’s License.
• Firefighter Type 2 Certification.
• Three (3) years or more of professional experience in forest management, shrub‑steppe habitat enhancement, wildlife agricultural enhancement, wildlife habitat restoration, integrated pest management or recreational user programs.
• Two (2) years or more of experience with heavy equipment operation, maintenance, small engine tools, carpentry, fabrication, Microsoft Office, GIS, GPS, biological data collection, eastern Washington native plant species.
• One (1) year or more of experience with pesticide…