Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician - Natural Resource Technician 3 - Permanent - 2026-09152

State of Washington•Franklin County – Pasco, WA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wildlife Area & Private Lands Technician provides technical support for the Sunnyside Snake River Wildlife Area and Private Lands access sites in Franklin County, Washington. The position supports fish and wildlife habitat, public recreational opportunities, wildlife area conservation and maintenance, and public access by working with the Private Lands Biologist and landowners. Work includes habitat improvements, access-site and facility upkeep, equipment operation, weed suppression, and planting activities. This is a full-time, permanent position based in Pasco, Washington. It is primarily field-based, with approximately 90% of time outdoors and 10% in an office entering data. The schedule is generally four 10-hour days per week in spring and summer and five 8-hour days per week in late fall and winter, but may vary with business needs, season, and weather. Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed. Travel may involve driving up to 250 miles per day between wildlife area units across Franklin, Benton, Yakima, and Kittitas Counties; overnight travel is rarely required. The work may involve long hours in extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow, along busy highways and in thick vegetation. Employees climb fences and move over debris on uneven or slippery terrain while carrying up to 30 pounds of field gear. Herbicide application using backpack or ATV sprayers may be required under direct supervision. The role involves frequent interactions with hunters and the public, and communication with landowners, agency staff, project partners, and local government officials.

Requirements

Two years of experience in habitat management, land management, agriculture, or natural resource operations; or an associate’s degree or higher in natural resource management, forestry, wildlife management, agriculture, environmental science, or a closely related field; or one year of experience as a Natural Resource Technician 2.
At least six months of experience operating equipment such as vehicles, ATVs, or trailers.
At least six months of experience using hand and power tools in outdoor, construction, or habitat work settings.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to carry up to 30 pounds of field gear and work outdoors in varied and inclement weather and on uneven or slippery terrain.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher with major study in fisheries, wildlife, habitat management, agriculture, forestry, or natural resource science.
Public Pesticide Applicator License.
Completion of a Hunter’s Safety Course.
Two years of professional experience with agricultural practices and equipment.
Two years of professional experience planning and coordinating annual agricultural crop establishment.
Two years of professional experience identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.
Two years of professional experience operating heavy equipment such as excavators, graders, or large agricultural machinery.
Two years of professional experience maintaining or managing irrigation systems.
Two years of professional experience conducting wildlife monitoring, surveys, or data collection.
Two years of professional experience delivering public outreach, education, or hunter access programs.
Two years of professional experience with vehicle maintenance and repairs.
Two years of professional experience with chronic wasting disease epidemiology, ecology, and management.
Two years of professional experience collecting, processing, storing, and shipping diagnostic specimens.
Two years of professional experience with Private Lands Access Programs such as Feel Free to Hunt or Hunt by Reservation.
Two years of professional experience with weed management techniques.

Responsibilities

Maintain access sites, signage, grounds, facilities, and equipment on the wildlife area and private lands access properties.
Operate and maintain vehicles, tractors, ATVs, trailers, spray equipment, drills, augers, and hand tools.
Remove debris, repair access-area boundaries, restock kiosk materials, and install and maintain hunting access points, parking lots, and kiosks.
Implement Integrated Pest Management plans and apply herbicides as needed, including properly mixing, recording, and storing chemicals.
Distribute, collect, and enter Register to Hunt and Hunt by Written Permission forms into private lands access databases, and enter Wildlife Area Register to Hunt forms into the wildlife area database.
Assess migratory bird use of agricultural fields to identify priority areas for hunter access.
Mark boundaries of private lands enrolled in the Private Lands Access Program using GPS and assist with creating maps.
Assess and monitor wildlife habitat conditions and monitor habitat sites for wildlife use, watering, and Integrated Pest Management needs.
Assist with shrub plantings, native grass and forb seedings, forage crop seedings, and other habitat improvements.
Maintain wildlife area wetland water levels and mow, disk, seed, and lay fabric mulch.
Communicate private lands program requirements and benefits to landowners.
Assist with mapping private lands enrolled in WDFW access programs and preparing enrollment contracts.
Explain and communicate current federal and state hunting regulations and regulatory actions.
Travel between wildlife area units and maintain frequent interactions with hunters and the public.