Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Technician - Natural Resource Tech 3 - Seasonal - 2026-01677

Full Job Description

Title- Sherman Creek Wildlife Area Technician

Classification- Natural Resource Technician 3

Job Status- Full-Time/Career Seasonal

Season Length- Eight (8) months – April 1 – November 30
WDFW Program- Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station- Kettle Falls, Washington – Ferry County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Photo Caption: Meadow and Pine Forest at Sherman Creek Wildlife Area – Photo Credit WDFW

Located a few miles northwest of Kettle Falls and bordered by the Colville National Forest, the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area contains many wildlife species that are dependent on it’s managed Ponderosa pine forest habitat.

The Wildlife Area Technician helps to implement projects to protect, maintain, and improve habitats, species, and recreational opportunities on the Wildlife Area.

This involves the inspection and maintenance of area facilities, equipment, and infrastructure, as well as vegetation management and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance.

Our ideal applicant will be an excellent communicator with both organization and time management skills, along with experience in land management and habitat enhancement duties.

What to Expect-

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

Plan, coordinate and implement projects to protect, maintain, and improve habitats, species, and recreational opportunities on the Wildlife Area.

• Implement Wildlife Area projects.
• Restore/enhance/maintain wildlife habitats.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management plan and apply herbicides as needed.
• 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, UTV’s, tractors, and excavators.
• Inspects, manages, and maintains 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.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Surveillance (Up to three months/year, starting as early as September 1^st and ending on November 30^th.)

• Work collaboratively with WDFW staff to collect CWD samples at hunter check-stations, from taxidermists and meat processors, at drop-off locations with sample collection receptacles, and opportunistically from road-killed deer.
• Collect medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes and obex using knives, scalpels, forceps, and other appropriate biological sampling tools.
• Manage biological samples including proper organization, storage, and shipment to approved labs.
• Organize and enter data in a timely manner using ArcGIS Survey123 and associated web-based platforms, i.e., ArcGIS WebMaps.

Maintain capital facilities, wildlife area infrastructure, vehicles, and equipment.

• Maintain Wildlife Area buildings, information kiosks, and signage.
• Maintain and oversee irrigation systems.
• Assist / oversee 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/assess/ensure safety of Wildlife Area facilities and equipment.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Primarily field work, which includes exposure to inclement weather including extreme heat or snow, difficult terrain including slippery rocks, steep banks and sticky mud, and water.

Hazards include tripping / falling and other things consistent with working with small and large equipment in an outdoor setting or while working around water.

Some work is performed in an office or shop setting.

Work requires employee to walk, lift, bend, and stoop – sometimes on uneven terrain and while at times carrying up to 45 pounds of tools and/or equipment, safely drive on primitive roads during all weather conditions, use 4 x 4 trucks, utility and large frame tractors, construction equipment, ATVs, UTVs, and must load and transport heavy equipment.

This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days): This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week. The standard work schedule includes the potential for occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

Schedules may vary based on business needs, time of year, and/or weather conditions. Team’s work schedule is 4-10s, Monday-Thursday, 6:00am-4:30pm. CWD surveillance does require weekend check stations.

Travel Requirements: Available for non-scheduled workweek and travel up to 15% of time.

Tools and Equipment: Standard field tools such as shovels, spray equipment, chain saws, other power tools, farm machinery, backhoes, excavators, dozers, UTV’s, ATV’s, trucks, trailers, etc.

Customer Interactions: Employee will communicate with the public during field work, via email, telephone, and at public meetings.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1: Two years of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2, Forest Technician, or higher class performing technical duties relating to land use, or development.

Option 2: A bachelor’s degree with major study in agriculture, or natural resource studies.

Option 3: An associate degree in a natural resource field, and two years of technical experience in land management.

Option 4: Equivalent Education/Experience

Licenses: Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Previous experience driving a pickup truck, including towing and backing a trailer
• Previous experience operating small equipment, farm equipment and mini excavator
• Habitat enhancement and management experience, particularly in forest environments
• Experience in identifying Eastern Washington native plant and animal species
• Basics of carpentry, mechanical and facility repair

Desirable certifications:

• Firefighter Type II Certification
• Chainsaw Certification
• First Aid/CPR/AED Certification
• Washington State Pesticide Applicator, Public Operator License
• ATV/UTV Certification

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 Diana.Humes@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 diana.humes@dfw.wa.gov

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