Wildlife Area Natural Resource Worker - Natural Resource Worker 1 - Non-Permanent - *01627-25
Title- Wildlife Area Natural Resource Worker
Classification- Natural Resource Worker 1
Job Status- Full-Time / Non-Permanent
Appointment Length- 3 months – May 1, 2025 – July 31, 2025
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program
Duty Station- Mount Vernon, Washington – Skagit County
Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!
Join the team managing the Skagit Wildlife Area, a diverse landscape spanning over 18,138 acres across 21 distinct units in Skagit, Snohomish, Island, and San Juan Counties.
As a Natural Resource Worker 1, you’ll assist with habitat enhancement, public access improvements, and infrastructure maintenance to support fish and wildlife conservation. This hands-on role includes weed control, waterfowl habitat projects, and operating various equipment such as tractors, mowers, and power tools.
Help maintain healthy, diverse wildlife populations while providing sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities for the public.
What to Expect-
Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Wildlife Area Natural Resource Worker will,
Ground Maintenance:
- Assist with grounds maintenance on wildlife area units, including operating riding lawn mower, weed eaters, and various electric and power tools.
Weed Control:
- Assist with noxious weed control across the wildlife area units.
- Use a truck, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and backpack sprayers to apply herbicide to control weeds, use mechanical means (cut, mow or dig) to treat weeds.
- Utilize GPS equipment to record new weed locations and navigate to previous treatment sites.
- Operate and maintain tractors, ATVs, trucks, farm implements, boats, small mechanical and electrical power tools, and hand tools.
- Safely operate trucks and equipment in off-road conditions.
- Assist with sign maintenance and wildlife area facilities and grounds.
Recreational Facility Maintenance and Habitat Enhancement:
- Assist with implementing public access projects, such as trail construction, footbridge construction, blind construction and maintenance, fence construction and maintenance, road maintenance, litter pickup and wildlife area sign and kiosk maintenance.
- Assist with habitat restoration projects, including soil preparation, mowing, seeding and tractor operation.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:
- Primarily a field-based position, with up to 95% of the work week spent outdoors, often in remote locations.
- Requires working long hours in inclement weather conditions, walking on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces while carrying up to 30lbs of field gear.
- The other 5% of the work week is spent in an office setting, completing equipment reports, month-end reports, and timesheets.
- Office duties involve prolonged computer and monitor use.
- Must be able to negotiate water in emergency situations.
Schedule:
Typically, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. May include evenings and weekends.
Travel Requirements:
Vehicle travel up to 50 miles per day between units within the Skagit Wildlife Area.
Tools and Equipment:
Tractors, various agricultural implements, boats, power tools, electrical tools, and hand tools.
Customer Interactions:
Engage in respectful and professional communication with other agencies and the public.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
High school graduation or GED AND three (3) months of natural resource related labor experience.
OR
One (1) year as a Natural Resource Worker 1.
OR
Equivalent education/experience.
Job Knowledge:
- Habitat and farming operations.
- Weed identification skills/training.
- Basic tool and equipment operation.
- Safety rules and compliance.
- Operating small hand and power tools.
- Basic mechanical skills.
- General carpentry.
Ability to:
- Drive a truck and trailers.
- Operate ATV’s and farm equipment.
- Safely use small hand and power tools and basic equipment.
- Spray noxious weeds.
Certifications/Licenses:
Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications:
In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
- First Aid/CPR training.
- Public Operators Herbicide License.
- Experience operating grounds maintenance equipment, such as riding mowers, weed eaters, and other small power equipment.
Your application should 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.
Supplemental Information
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 Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov.
-
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: 2024-1234 – 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 Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, 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 support@neogov.com.
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to Ashley.Lee@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2025-01627.