Shillapoo Wildlife Area Technician - Natural Resource Tech

Shillapoo Wildlife Area Technician — Natural Resource Technician 3 — Permanent )

Title: Shillapoo Wildlife Area Technician
Classification: Natural Resource Technician 3
Job Status: Full-Time/Permanent
Program: Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station: Ridgefield, Washington – Clark County

Under the general direction of the Wildlife Area Manager, the Natural Resource Technician 3 provides technical support and carries out assigned activities to support the management of the Shillapoo Wildlife Area in alignment with the agency’s goals of sustaining healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations, habitats, and recreational opportunities for Washington residents.

This position implements habitat, species, and recreation projects; performs technical work to maintain facilities, equipment, and infrastructure; inspects and maintains access sites and public use areas to ensure public safety and site aesthetics; conducts integrated vegetation management, including herbicide application to control invasive or unwanted species; and supports the development and implementation of Wildlife Area projects and activities.

• Implement wildlife area projects to protect, maintain, and improve habitats, species, and recreational opportunities.
• Restore, enhance, and maintain wildlife habitats.
• Create, manage, and maintain moist soil management projects.
• Implement integrated vegetation management activities and apply herbicides as needed.
• Assist in and manage land‑use lease agreements.
• Conduct agricultural activities such as mowing, disking, seeding, and trimming trees.
• Operate a variety of small and heavy equipment to include brush cutters, chainsaws, ATVs, tractors, farm implements, skid steers, and excavators.
• Inspect, manage, and maintain access areas and public use resources on the wildlife area to ensure the health and safety of the public, compliance, and the aesthetics of the wildlife area.
• Assist and manage the implementation of capital improvement projects.
• Maintain roads, culverts, gates, fences, parking lots and other capital improvements.
• Maintain wildlife area vehicles, equipment, and maintenance records.
• Monitor and ensure safety of wildlife area facilities and equipment.
• Attend agency meetings, meetings with external groups and constituents.
• Provide relevant information to the public through office and field contacts.
• Assist/ manage activities with cooperative partners and adjacent landowners.
• Report violations to the manager and/or enforcement.
• Assist in public educational activities (i.e., hunter education classes, outreach programs, etc.).

Work is primarily performed in the field and involves regular exposure to inclement weather. Duties take place on difficult terrain, including slippery rocks, steep banks, uneven ground, sticky mud, and in and around water. Hazards include tripping and falling, working around small and large equipment, and performing tasks from boats or near water. Some work is completed in an office or shop environment.

The position requires frequent walking, lifting, bending, and stooping, often on uneven terrain and sometimes while carrying up to 50 pounds of tools or equipment.

Must safely drive on primitive roads in all weather conditions, operate 4x4 trucks and UTVs, and load, secure and transport heavy equipment. Safe operation of boats and the ability to perform tasks around water are essential. The position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week; potential occasional evening or weekend work as needed.
Travel: Up to 10% of the time.

Standard field tools and equipment such as shovels, spray equipment, chainsaws, power tools, farm machinery, small boats, excavators, skid steers, UTVs, trucks, trailers and heavy equipment.

Communicates with the public during field activities, and through email, telephone, and participation in public meetings.

• Option 1: Two (2) years of professional experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.
• Op…