Wildlife Area Forestry Technician - Natural Resource Tech - Project - Internal

Title

Wildlife Area Forestry Technician

Natural Resource Technician 3 (NRT3)

Full‑Time / Project / Internal Only

One (1) year – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027

Scatter Creek Wildlife Area – Rochester, Washington – Thurston County

As a Natural Resource Technician 3, you will play a key role in enhancing and maintaining forested landscapes and oak woodlands that support Washington’s diverse wildlife. You will work alongside the Wildlife Area Manager and Forest Health and Diversity Division Biologists to implement habitat improvement projects that support healthy fish and wildlife populations while preserving outdoor recreation opportunities.

• Plan, coordinate, and implement habitat protection and improvement projects, with emphasis on forested landscapes and oak woodlands.
• Implement vegetation management techniques using mechanical methods (tractor mowing, brush cutting, walk‑behind mowers, chainsaw, hand tools), chemical treatments (backpack sprayer, UTV‑ or tractor‑mounted boom sprayers, cut‑stump applications), and prescribed fire.
• Facilitate propagation of native plant species through seeding and planting plugs.
• Manage woody debris by constructing and burning piles or using chippers.
• Identify native and non‑native prairie and oak woodland plant species.
• Provide field supervision to work crews, volunteers, and WCC members.
• Operate equipment safely and independently.
• Identify habitat management challenges and recommend enhancement activities.
• Perform routine maintenance on equipment (greasing, cleaning, oiling).
• Repair and install fences, remove trash, and maintain facilities and safety.

• Primarily field work with exposure to inclement weather, difficult terrain, and water; occasional office or shop work.
• May involve lifting, bending, stooping, and carrying up to 40 lb of tools or equipment.
• Hazards include trip/fall, working with large equipment, operating vehicles on primitive roads, and prescribed fire smoke exposure.
• Position may require working near water.

The standard work schedule includes occasional evening or weekend work as needed. Daily local travel to work sites and occasional regional travel up to 200 mi.

Power tools, tractors with front and rear attachments, trailers, sprayers, wildland firefighting units, pumps, hoses, drip torches, firefighting hand tools.

• Option 1:
  Two (2) years of experience in habitat management, land management, agriculture, environmental science, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• Option 2:
  Associate’s degree or higher in a related field.
• Option 3:
  One (1) year experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.
• Minimum six (6) months experience operating tractors, UTVs, hand and power tools, chainsaws, and brush cutters.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Obtain and maintain ATV/UTV certification, First Aid/CPR/AED, Washington State Public Operator Pesticide license within six months of hire, and current wildland firefighter qualifications (Firefighter Type II or higher).

• Agricultural practices and equipment operation.
• Prescribed fire implementation.
• Identification of plant and wildlife species of south Salish prairie‑oak ecosystems and western Washington forests.
• Experience with wildlife agricultural enhancement programs, habitat restoration techniques, basic carpentry, mechanical repair, and facility maintenance.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, GIS, and GPS.

Provide a completed online application, resume, cover letter, and three professional references.

All new employees must complete an Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I‑9 Form) on the first day of work. The position is open to current WDFW employees only.