POSITION TITLE: Wildlife Technician
DEPARTMENT: Natural Resources Department
LOCATION: Ridgeflield WA
REPORTS TO: Wildlife Program Manager
FLSA STATUS: Nonexempt, fulltime
WAGE RANGE: $23.08 - $26.54 per hour

Closing Date: September 24, 2024

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

Position Summary:

Assists with Wildlife Program efforts to monitor and improve habitat for culturally significant species. Plays a key role in implementation of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe’s Beaver Relocation Project by helping to maintain a beaver holding facility, carrying out animal husbandry duties, conducting field work to assess beaver release sites, and translocating beavers into natural areas. Provides technical and operational support to the Habitat Restoration and Lands Maintenance programs. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the Natural Resources Department.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***

This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only of the tasks performed by this position and is not all-inclusive.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Assists with the capture, holding, transport, and release of beavers as part of the CIT’s Beaver Relocation Project; follows all applicable permits and protocols.
• Contributes to the day-to-day operation of the CIT’s beaver holding facility; receives animals into the facility; performs cleaning, disinfecting, feeding, and watering routines; inspects enclosures, observes condition of animals, and ensures humane care; keeps detailed records and logs; and conducts routine maintenance.
• Aids the Wildlife Program Manager with identification of potential beaver release sites and effectiveness monitoring of past beaver releases.
• Prepares field notes and reports on the status of Wildlife Program activities.
• Assists with habitat restoration projects and lands maintenance activities; plants, prunes, and trims trees and shrubs to enhance habitat; and conducts mowing and noxious weed control.
• Constructs, maintains, and/or repairs signage, fencing, and other structures using a variety of power tools and light equipment.
• Operates, cleans, greases, oils, services, and makes minor repairs to tools and equipment; makes emergency adjustment.
• Ensures safe and sanitary conditions at all work sites.
• Gathers, or assists in gathering, resource inventory information on focal plant or animal species.
• Assists in the coordination of community natural resources, education, and cultural awareness projects and events.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research; attending seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; and conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of current natural resource issues pertinent to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
• Knowledge of a variety of federal and state environmental and natural resources programs and agencies.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry, including best practices for sanitation and disease prevention.
• Knowledge of how beavers modify aquatic systems.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs as well as GPS, Adobe, and Google Earth.
• Skill in treating internal and external customers with tact, courtesy, and respect.
• Ability to operate and repair a variety of equipment including mowers, tractors, jet sled boat, trailers, string trimmers, pole saws, chainsaws, hedge trimmers, sod cutters, drill and impact drivers, skid sprayer, backpack sprayers, concrete mixer, brush hog, pressure washer, auger, backpack blower, and microscopes.
• Ability to identify a variety of fish and wildlife species.
• Ability to work with live beavers.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in biology, zoology, fisheries, wildlife, chemistry, natural sciences, or a closely related field.
• Three years of related experience in natural resources or a related field of agriculture, range management, land management, animal husbandry, or wildlife management.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Obtain and maintain a beaver relocation permit.
• Obtain and maintain a Washington State Boater Education Card.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed in a beaver holding facility or outdoors, with frequent exposure to excessive noise, live animals, and animal waste/byproducts, including potential zoonotic diseases and parasites. Exposure to natural weather conditions and dust, fumes, airborne particles, and/or allergens may occur while performing outdoor duties. Standing and walking may be on wet, slippery, or uneven surfaces or unstable ground. Work is frequently performed near hazardous/moving equipment or machinery and the use protective clothing, equipment, devices, and materials is necessary. Evening and/or weekend work is occasionally required.

***If you are an American Indian/Alaska Native and/or a Veteran and would like this to be considered preference in hiring, please upload documentation with your resume and cover letter. Acceptable documentation includes Tribal Enrollment card, a letter from your Tribe stating your enrollment, or BIA 4432 and/or DD214.***