State of Washington
Natural Resource Specialist 2 - Wenas Wildlife Area - Permanent - 2025-09074
State of Washington, Walla Walla, Washington, United States
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Natural Resource Specialist 2 Job Status
– Full‑Time/Permanent
WDFW Program
– Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station
– Wenas Wildlife Area – Selah, Washington – Yakima County
Under the direction of the Wildlife Area Manager, this role supports management of wildlife‑oriented recreation and public use on more than 120,000 acres of WDFW‑managed lands. The position plays a key role in protecting and improving shrub‑steppe, forest, and riparian habitats while ensuring safe, well‑managed recreational access and high‑quality customer service.
Responsibilities
Implement activities to maintain/improve habitat, species, and/or recreational opportunities compatible with fish and wildlife and their habitats.
Assist with implementation of habitat, fish, wildlife, and recreational use management activities on the Wenas Wildlife Area.
Oversee multiple target shooting sites.
Lead volunteer projects on trail maintenance and other recreational projects.
Develop a strong understanding of the different forms of recreation on the Wenas Wildlife Area such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
Develop and implement habitat projects to benefit critical wildlife species.
Collect and analyze data on recreational use of Wildlife Areas, including hunting, fishing, and non‑consumptive recreation.
Map and/or analyze data to determine status of plant, animal, and habitats on the Wildlife Area.
Assist in formulating changes in regulations.
Monitor recreational use and its impacts or potential impacts to vegetation, wildlife and habitats.
Maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, facilities, and infrastructure to ensure safe and effective operation and conditions for both staff and the public.
Assist WLA Manager with planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring habitat enhancement and maintenance projects to benefit fish, wildlife and recreation.
Work plans, administration, and required reports.
Develop professional level working relationships with a variety of user groups, adjacent neighbors and throughout the community.
Working Conditions This position works primarily in the field, with additional duties performed in shop and office environments. Hazards include exposure to inclement weather, difficult or uneven terrain, power equipment, and conditions consistent with operating tractors and other heavy equipment in outdoor settings. Duties require safely driving vehicles on primitive roads in all weather conditions using 4x4 trucks and ATVs. Physical demands include walking, lifting, bending, stooping—sometimes on uneven terrain—and carrying up to 40 pounds. This 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. 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. Overnight travel is very seldomly required.
Tools and Equipment Use of standard field tools (shovels, fence post drivers, spray equipment); chainsaws and other power tools; ATVs; tractors; mowers; skid steers; backhoes; dozers; large trucks and attachments; agency vehicles; and standard office equipment (computer, copier, scanner). Field work also requires GPS units, ArcGIS, smartphones, and a digital camera.
Qualifications
Option 1 – Five (5) years of professional experience in a related natural resource specialty area, including working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming practices, operating heavy equipment, conducting wildlife habitat enhancement practices.
Option 2 – Bachelor’s degree in forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, geology, recreation, or related natural science
and
one (1) year of professional experience in a related natural resource specialty area, including working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming practices, operating heavy equipment, conducting wildlife habitat enhancement practices.
Option 3 – Equivalent education/experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
Commercial Driver’s License.
Firefighter Type 2 Certification.
Three (3) Years Or More Of Professional Experience In/with forest management, shrub steppe habitat enhancement, and restoration for big game species, wildlife agricultural enhancement programs/farming practices, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration, integrated pest management practices, recreational users such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
Two (2) Years Or More Professional Experience In/with heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting; small engine tools; carpentry; welding; Microsoft Office Suite; GIS and GPS software; biological data collection.
One (1) Year Or More Of Professional Experience In/with pesticide application; habitat management; planning, coordinating, and supervising the work of volunteers; conduct field surveys to collect data; communicate orally and in writing with agency staff, other agencies, industry, and the general public.
Application Instructions
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.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. The Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.
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Natural Resource Specialist 2 Job Status
– Full‑Time/Permanent
WDFW Program
– Wildlife Program – Lands Division
Duty Station
– Wenas Wildlife Area – Selah, Washington – Yakima County
Under the direction of the Wildlife Area Manager, this role supports management of wildlife‑oriented recreation and public use on more than 120,000 acres of WDFW‑managed lands. The position plays a key role in protecting and improving shrub‑steppe, forest, and riparian habitats while ensuring safe, well‑managed recreational access and high‑quality customer service.
Responsibilities
Implement activities to maintain/improve habitat, species, and/or recreational opportunities compatible with fish and wildlife and their habitats.
Assist with implementation of habitat, fish, wildlife, and recreational use management activities on the Wenas Wildlife Area.
Oversee multiple target shooting sites.
Lead volunteer projects on trail maintenance and other recreational projects.
Develop a strong understanding of the different forms of recreation on the Wenas Wildlife Area such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
Develop and implement habitat projects to benefit critical wildlife species.
Collect and analyze data on recreational use of Wildlife Areas, including hunting, fishing, and non‑consumptive recreation.
Map and/or analyze data to determine status of plant, animal, and habitats on the Wildlife Area.
Assist in formulating changes in regulations.
Monitor recreational use and its impacts or potential impacts to vegetation, wildlife and habitats.
Maintain tools, equipment, vehicles, facilities, and infrastructure to ensure safe and effective operation and conditions for both staff and the public.
Assist WLA Manager with planning, coordinating, implementing and monitoring habitat enhancement and maintenance projects to benefit fish, wildlife and recreation.
Work plans, administration, and required reports.
Develop professional level working relationships with a variety of user groups, adjacent neighbors and throughout the community.
Working Conditions This position works primarily in the field, with additional duties performed in shop and office environments. Hazards include exposure to inclement weather, difficult or uneven terrain, power equipment, and conditions consistent with operating tractors and other heavy equipment in outdoor settings. Duties require safely driving vehicles on primitive roads in all weather conditions using 4x4 trucks and ATVs. Physical demands include walking, lifting, bending, stooping—sometimes on uneven terrain—and carrying up to 40 pounds. This 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. 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. Overnight travel is very seldomly required.
Tools and Equipment Use of standard field tools (shovels, fence post drivers, spray equipment); chainsaws and other power tools; ATVs; tractors; mowers; skid steers; backhoes; dozers; large trucks and attachments; agency vehicles; and standard office equipment (computer, copier, scanner). Field work also requires GPS units, ArcGIS, smartphones, and a digital camera.
Qualifications
Option 1 – Five (5) years of professional experience in a related natural resource specialty area, including working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming practices, operating heavy equipment, conducting wildlife habitat enhancement practices.
Option 2 – Bachelor’s degree in forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, geology, recreation, or related natural science
and
one (1) year of professional experience in a related natural resource specialty area, including working on a farm/ranch, conducting agricultural enhancement/farming practices, operating heavy equipment, conducting wildlife habitat enhancement practices.
Option 3 – Equivalent education/experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
Commercial Driver’s License.
Firefighter Type 2 Certification.
Three (3) Years Or More Of Professional Experience In/with forest management, shrub steppe habitat enhancement, and restoration for big game species, wildlife agricultural enhancement programs/farming practices, wildlife habitat enhancement and restoration, integrated pest management practices, recreational users such as hunting, fishing, mountain biking, birdwatching, hiking, horseback riding, and more.
Two (2) Years Or More Professional Experience In/with heavy equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting; small engine tools; carpentry; welding; Microsoft Office Suite; GIS and GPS software; biological data collection.
One (1) Year Or More Of Professional Experience In/with pesticide application; habitat management; planning, coordinating, and supervising the work of volunteers; conduct field surveys to collect data; communicate orally and in writing with agency staff, other agencies, industry, and the general public.
Application Instructions
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.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. The Agency expects inclusivity as part of our professional interactions and communications. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity.
#J-18808-Ljbffr