Job Description

Salary: $4,410.00 - $5,929.00 Monthly
Location : Klickitat County - Goldendale, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: [click to reveal phone number]2025-04273
Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Opening Date: 06/20/2025
Closing Date: 6/30/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Description
Title- Klickitat Wildlife Area Assistant Manager

Classification- Fish & Wildlife Biologist 2

Job Status- Full-Time / Permanent

WDFW Program- Wildlife Program Duty Station- Goldendale, Washington - Klickitat County

Flight Pay - Salary listed does not include flight pay - flight pay is base pay plus 15% while performing low level flight operation duties.
The salary listed above does not include the 3% pay increase that goes into effect on July 1, 2025.
Learn more about being a member of !
Fall view on the Klickitat Wildlife Area - Photo Credit: WDFW
The Klickitat Wildlife Area Assistant Manager plays a key role in supporting the management of the 25,000-acre Klickitat Wildlife Area in Klickitat County.
In this role, you'll work closely with the Wildlife Area Manager to implement habitat restoration, fish and wildlife management, and recreational access activities in alignment with the Klickitat Wildlife Area Management Plan.
Your key responsibilities will include equipment maintenance, infrastructure repair, and ensuring public access.
With your experience, you will help advance WDFW's mission of conserving fish, wildlife, and their habitats.
What to Expect-

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Klickitat Wildlife Area Assistant Manager will,
Monitor, Restore, and Manage Habitat on Wildlife Areas:

• Lead, manage, and provide technical input on habitat projects.
• Stabilize and revegetate disturbed sites.
• Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program on Wildlife Areas.
• Maintain and improve habitat using weed control, forestry, and farming methods.
• Cultivate native vegetation and food plots for wildlife.
• Conduct site reviews of restored sites and recommend future management.
• Survey wildlife/habitat and assess improvement efforts.
• Develop habitat prescriptions and oversee implementation.
• Apply mechanical, cultural, or chemical weed control; maintain records per Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) standards.
• Cut trees and brush, and prunes limbs from trees according to project prescription.

Conduct Studies, Field Reviews, and Surveys on Habitat, Wildlife, and Recreation on Wildlife Area:

• Review and study fish, wildlife, plants, habitats, and recreational use on Wildlife Areas; implement management plans.
• Monitor gazing and agricultural leases and other land-use permits; maintain records.
• Participate in interagency restoration and conservation projects.
• Survey Wildlife Areas for priority wildlife species.
• Recover injured wildlife and collect specimens.
• Monitor and guide public use on Wildlife Areas.
• Evaluate environmental impacts and report findings.

Conduct Outreach and Communicate with Neighbors, Stakeholders, Land-Use Permit Holders and Public Regarding Wildlife Area Activities, Permits, and Plans:

• Help develop and implement Wildlife Area Plans.
• Coordinate with agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and the public on habitat and access projects.
• Provide public info on wildlife species, habitat enhancement and management, and recreational opportunities via presentations and consultations.
• Attend meetings and coordinate with adjacent landowners.
• Support forest and land-use planning and permitting.

Maintain Facilities, Infrastructure, and Equipment:

• Assist in developing and evaluating capital projects.
• Ensure facility safety and infrastructure upkeep.

Principal Assistant to Wildlife Area Manager:

• Act as backup for the Manager; serve as primary contact in their absence.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work Setting, including hazards:

• Approximately 80% of work is conducted in the field and 20% in an office setting.
• Fieldwork often involves travel to field sites and under inclement weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow.
• Staff may spend 60-70% of the time navigating difficult terrain-such as slippery rocks, steep banks, sticky mud, deep snow, and water-often independently with minimal supervision.
• Field surveys are occasionally conducted using various transportation methods, including hiking on foot, trucks, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), small boats such as canoes or a drift boat, and flight (as a passenger) in a motor aircraft.
• Exposure to potentially hazardous wildlife and other environmental risks.
• Biological sampling may require handling hazardous materials and sharp instruments (e.g. needles), with potential exposure to pathogens or injury.
• Work on private lands, including areas under active agricultural production, may involve additional risks such as exposure to farming equipment, chemicals, and uneven terrain.
• Frequent walking, bending, stooping, and lifting or carrying loads of up to 50 pounds across uneven, rugged terrain.
• Duties may include loading and transporting equipment or supplies exceeding 50 pounds.
• Operate and maintain a variety of equipment, including farm tractors and implement, Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) and ATVs, 4x4 trucks in off-road settings, towed equipment (e.g., trailers, implements), and herbicide application equipment.
• This position may involve working in or near water, including tasks that require navigating, negotiating, and performing duties related to water environments.

Schedule:

Typically, Monday to Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. At times, work may be off-schedule due to seasonal demands, emergencies, and time critical assignments. Work hours may be long and irregular.
Travel Requirements:

Occasional travel (approximately 5% to 10%) is required for training, meetings or fieldwork.
Tools and Equipment:

Computer, GPS, software, radio telemetry equipment (transmitters and attachment, receivers, antennas, tracking methods), binoculars and spotting scopes, radios, pickup truck, flatbed truck, utility trailer, ATV, UTV, chipper, fire suppression equipment, wheeled tractors, implements used with a tractor, boat, boat trailer, sprayers, clinometer, digital camera, hand tools such as shovels, jacks, bow saws, pruning saws, backpack sprayer, fence post drivers, wire stretchers, and tools used in carpentry. Power and hand tools used include chain saws, brush cutters, mowers, electric and gas-powered herbicide sprayers, and standard shop tools such as grinders, drills, table saw and bandsaw, and handheld circular saw and saber saws.
Customer Interactions:

Interact with recreationists in the field. Regularly interact with local, state, and federal government personnel, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), consultants, contractors, private non-profit agency representatives, Tribal representatives, and project applicants.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, wildlife ecology, natural resource science, or environmental science.
AND
One (1) year of professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research.
AND Experience in/with all of the following:

• Habitat management activities.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Wildlife and habitat survey methods and techniques (e.g., conduct field surveys to collect data, identify wildlife and plants species).
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Weed/Noxious plant identification and plant management using pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM).
• Operating motorized and non-motorized equipment and tools.
• Driving a 4-wheel drive pick-up truck, towing a trailer, and operating All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs).
• Farm equipment, such as tractors, along with a variety of implements.
• Microsoft software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet creation, and other applications; use web-based tools, e-mail, and calendar clients).

Please Note:

• A Master's degree or Ph.D. in the applicable science may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• Professional equivalent experience may substitute, year for year, for education requirement.

Certifications/Licenses:

Valid driver's license and the ability to operate a state vehicle.
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

• Obtain First Aid Training, with completion within six (6) months of hire.
• Obtain Pesticide license, with completion within six (6) months of hire.
• Obtain and maintain Wild Land Firefighter Red Card, with completion within one (1) year of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, our ideal applicant will possess some or all the following:
Experience in/with:

• Fish and wildlife habitat relationships and management requirements.
• Wildlife population relationships and ecology.
• Training and supervising temporary and volunteer staff.
• With biological data collection.
• Identifying Eastern Washington native plant species.
• Diagnosing and correcting basic issues with equipment performance, as well as facilities and building systems such as plumbing.
• Identifying nongame species; big and small game species; waterfowl, songbirds, birds of prey, and shorebirds, etc., in the field.
• Working with forest management, as well as habitat enhancement and restoration for big and small game and listed species.
• With controlled fire or fire management in forest or habitat restoration projects.
• Performing basic carpentry.
• Implementation of Wildlife Area Plan activities.
• Agricultural practices, including fences and the use of agricultural equipment.
• Management of plant communities.
• General state procedural policies and rules governing work activities.
• Operating backpack and ATV/UTV mounted sprayer used in herbicide application.
• Operating chainsaws and other equipment used in forest habitat management.
• Performing proper care and maintenance of motorized and non-motorized equipment.
• Conducting data analyses and making inferences from data for management recommendations.
• Using critical thinking in collecting, recording, compiling, and summarizing data.
• Air rifle certificate/training.

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 and other , there are other 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:

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 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
• 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: [click to reveal phone number]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 [click to reveal phone number]360-902-2278 or email [click to reveal email address] Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov , or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at [click to reveal phone number]800-833-6388 .
Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [click to reveal phone number](855) 524-5627 or
Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to and reference job #[click to reveal phone number]2025-04273 .
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AL
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC [click to reveal phone number]357-31-165 .

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022
01

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02

Please select the option below that best describes the highest level of education you have completed.

• High School Diploma/GED.
• Some College.
• Vocational Degree or Certificate.
• Associate's Degree.
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Master's Degree.
• Ph.D.
• None of the above.

03

What is your major area of study? If you possess multiple degrees, please list each degree and major. (If this does not apply to you, please put N/A.) This includes both vocational and college education.
04

Select the option below that best describes your professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research.

• No experience.
• Less than 1 year of experience.
• 1 - 5 years of experience.
• 5 or more years of experience.

05

Please briefly describe your professional experience in fish/ wildlife/ habitat management or research. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).
06

Please indicate which of the following areas you have experience in. (Select ALL that apply).

• Habitat management activities.
• Wildlife management tools and field techniques.
• Wildlife and habitat survey methods and techniques (e.g., conducting field surveys, identifying wildlife and plant species).
• Principles of wildlife harvest management.
• Weed/noxious plant identification.
• Weed/noxious plant management using pesticides and integrated pest management (IPM).
• Proficiency with Microsoft software (e.g., Word, Excel, web-based tools, email, calendar).
• None of the above.

07

Please describe your experience with weed and noxious plant identification, including any experience you have with pesticide application and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. Be sure to include specific methods and tools used. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).
08

Please select the following equipment you have experience operating. (Select ALL that apply.)

• 4-wheel drive pick-up trucks.
• Towing trailers.
• All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
• Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs).
• Farm equipment (e.g., tractors).
• Farm implements.
• Motorized equipment and tools.
• Non-motorized equipment and tools.
• Backpack sprayers.
• ATV/UTV-mounted sprayers.
• Chainsaws.
• Other tools used in habitat management.
• None of the above.

09

Please describe your experience operating and maintaining farm equipment, such as tractors and a variety of implements. Include the types of equipment you have used, specific tasks performed, and the duration of your experience. ("See Resume" is not a valid response, if you do not have this experience, put N/A).
10

Do you have experience building or maintaining fence lines in wildlife or agricultural settings?

• Yes, I have this experience.
• No, I do not have this experience.

11

What is your level of experience with controlled burns or fire management in forest or habitat restoration projects?

• Extensive experience: I have led or co-led these types of projects.
• Moderate experience: I have supported these projects but not in a lead role.
• Basic experience: I have participated in these projects in a limited capacity.
• No experience: I have not worked with controlled burns or fire management.

12

How did you hear about this job posting? (Select all that apply).

• American Fisheries Society (AFS)
• Careers.wa.gov
• Community Based Organization
• Community/Technical College
• Conservation Job Board
• El Informador
• Facebook
• Four W's Fishing Team, LLC - Willard Franklin III, LinkedIn
• Handshake
• Hiring Event/Workshop
• Indeed.com
• Job Board
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• MHCC - Mount Hood Community College
• Newspaper
• Other
• Other State Agency
• Other Website
• Professional Association
• Society of American Foresters (SAF)
• Texas A&M
• Twitter
• University Job Board
• UW College of the Environment
• WDFW Employee
• WDFW Recruiter
• WDFW Website
• Word of Mouth
• WorkSource

13

Tell us more - kindly share which website, organization, person, or other source led you to this job posting.
14

Are you currently an employee of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife? This includes permanent, non-permanent, intern, project, and career seasonal.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Job Tags

Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, For contractors, Internship, Seasonal work, Local area, Flexible hours, Shift work, Monday to Friday,

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