South Maintenance Technician, Natural Resources Technician 3 (NRT3)
Yakima County, WA, USA
USD 3,738-4,980 / month
Posted on Jun 18, 2026
Description
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South Maintenance Technician, Natural Resources Technician 3 (NRT3)
Recruitment #2026-6-7143
Full-time, Project, Represented position (WPEA)
Anticipated Project is: July 2026 - October 31, 2027
Location: Southeast Region - Yakima, WA
Salary: $3,738.00 - $4,980.00 Monthly
The salary range listed includes a general wage increase of 2% for all state employees effective July 1, 2026.
Review of applications is ongoing. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision or close this recruitment at any time after 6/24/2026. It is in your best interest to submit materials as soon as possible.
Want to join something GREAT and make a difference?
Are you someone who loves the outdoors and is passionate about protecting our natural resources and public access? If you love recreating outdoors, engaging with the public, working with volunteers, and performing work to maintain recreation facilities, this job is for you.
The DNR Southeast Region Recreation Program is seeking a Natural Resource Technician 3 to help promote safe and sustainable recreation on DNR-managed lands. This position provides maintenance to recreation facilities, including campgrounds, trails, and trailheads. The position is highly visible to the public and acts as a point of contact for recreationists, volunteers, and user groups. It will engage the public to answer questions, educate users on applicable laws and rules, and maintain recreation sites for all to enjoy. Duties
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Responsibilities:
- Independently perform routine recreation site maintenance in DNR recreation sites and dispersed recreation areas in Yakima County.
- Develop and implement maintenance schedules to meet current and future needs in the recreation sites and dispersed areas.
- Cut brush, trees, and other vegetation within recreation sites.
- Independently transport, operate, and maintain equipment, including, but not limited to, an excavator, a 4x4 truck, ATV, UTV, skid spray unit, snowmobile, trailers, hand and power tools.
- Perform noxious weed control within recreation sites and dispersed recreation areas.
- Engage with recreationists to answer questions and educate users on applicable laws and rules.
- This position works independently in the field throughout the year.
Qualifications
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Required Qualifications:
You must meet all the Required Qualifications and Competencies to be considered for this position. There are multiple pathways to meet qualifications, such as education, volunteer work, life skills, and experience. It is important that you clearly communicate in your application material that your skills align with the position and qualifications.- Experience performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use, transaction, and lease development;
OR three years of experience as a general repairer or equivalent. - Experience in maintaining and operating power tools such as chainsaws, brush cutters, and tracked wheelbarrows.
- Knowledge of methods and techniques for developing and maintaining recreation trails and facilities.
- Familiarity with reading maps and navigating by GPS.
Required Competencies:- Strong writing and oral communication skills, including public presentation skills, and the ability to effectively inform and educate user groups, volunteers, and the public.
- Commitment to fostering and supporting an environment that honors diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice practices.
- Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and public records retention, and requests are followed.
- DNR Core Competencies:
- Personal Accountability
- Value Others
- Compassionate Communication
- Inspire Others
- Commitment to Excellence
- Position's assigned duty station is the Ahtanum Guard Station. Work is performed in an indoor or office setting and alone in isolated, unimproved natural areas throughout Washington. The incumbent must be able to traverse uneven terrain in all weather conditions. Must be able to move up to 50 lbs.
- Position requires the majority of the time spent in the field, traveling in an agency-assigned work vehicle. Overnight travel may be required for meetings, trainings, and work assignments.
- A current, valid driver’s license and two years of driving experience. Additionally, DNR requires state drivers to possess a license that is not suspended, revoked, or restricted (for example, Occupational/Restricted Driver Licenses or requiring ignition interlock devices). This position requires driving as an essential function. Finalists and/or interview candidates will be asked to provide a driving record from all states in which they have held a license during the past three years.
- UTV/ATV, Snowmobile, and Trailer Operators certification. These certifications will be made available to the incumbent once hired.
These qualifications are not required. However, it can help you stand out as a candidate and should be highlighted in your application material.- A bachelor’s degree with a major in business management, accounting, real estate, agriculture, aquatic land studies, police sciences, or other business, law enforcement, or natural resource studies;
OR any combination of education and/or experience equivalent. - Familiarity with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources' public use and trust land management responsibilities and practices.
- Familiarity with the principles and practices of recreation management.
- Experience operating and maintaining various types of equipment, including but not limited to chainsaws, small power tools, quads, off-road motorcycles, and mountain bikes.
- Experience performing technical or paraprofessional duties relating to land use, transaction, and lease development;
Supplemental Information
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Application Requirements: Failure to provide the listed documents may result in disqualification. If you have questions or difficulty attaching these documents, please contact DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
- Online Application: Apply at www.careers.wa.gov (Click on the APPLY button above). You must complete the entire online application to be considered for the position.
- Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be tailored to this job posting. Be sure to highlight your qualifications for this role, directly address the requirements of the position, and explain why you’re the best candidate for the job.
- Resume: Your resume should consist of your work history, education, volunteer work, life skills, experience, and any other relevant information associated with the position.
- References: References are optional at the time your application is submitted. Finalists will be asked to provide a list of at least three (3) professional references, to include a current or most recent supervisor, along with telephone numbers.
- Complete All Supplemental Questions: Answers to these questions will be used to evaluate candidates. Please provide comprehensive answers to all questions requiring a text response.
- Important: Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (Social Security Number, year of birth, etc.).
- Email Communication: Candidates who move forward in the recruitment process may be contacted via email at info@governmentjobs.com with interview information/scheduling instructions. Please monitor the email listed in your application materials and check your junk email folder to ensure you receive these communications.
Questions? Please contact Jeff Jones at jeff.jones@dnr.wa.gov / (509) 426-1519 or email us at DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov.
Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 522-2500 or email DNRrecruiting@dnr.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
About the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
At DNR, we approach our work through the lens of making Washington a better place environmentally and are dedicated to serving Washington’s lands and communities through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our Vision – Our actions ensure a future where Washington’s lands, waters, and communities thrive.
Our Mission – Manage, sustain, and protect the health and productivity of Washington’s lands and waters to meet the needs of present and future generations.
Our Core Values:- Safety and Well-Being —Our top priority is the safety of the public and our employees.
- Public Service —We value and respect the public we serve, and we value and respect the people of the Department of Natural Resources who step up to serve.
- Innovation and Creative Problem-Solving — We solve our state’s most pressing challenges through innovative thinking, dedication, and bold and creative vision.
- Leadership and Teamwork —We are committed to building leaders at all levels and building teams for success.
- Commitment to organizational health and wellness
- Work/life balance
- DNR Employee Resource Groups (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, Women’s Employee Resource Group, Veterans Employee Resource Group, etc.)
- Statewide Employee Business Resource Groups, visit here to learn more
- Leadership that empowers and supports employees
- Professional development opportunities
- Educational and career development aid
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Eligibility
- Opportunities to participate in wildland fire suppression assignments
- A comprehensive benefits package includes employer contributions toward health insurance, paid holidays, retirement plans, sick leave, and vacation days. Visit http://careers.wa.gov/benefits.html for more information.
This recruitment may be extended and used to fill future similar vacancies for up to sixty (60) days.
DNR does not use the E-Verify system. For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
Veterans wishing to claim Veteran’s preference, please attach a copy of your DD214 (Member 4 long-form copy), NGB 22, or a USDVA signed verification of service letter. Please black out all PII (personally identifiable information) data, such as Social Security numbers. We thank you and are grateful for your service!
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Natural Resources 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 with disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
Once you submit your online application, you can check your status by logging into your account. If you experience technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, call 360-664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960 or email CareersHelp@des.wa.gov.
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