Job Description

Posting number: 2026-09390

Department: Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Job classification: MAINTENANCE MECHANIC 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Building Maintenance, Trades, Parks and Recreation, Natural Resources, Maintenance, Construction Maintenance, Construction Trades

Summary

Classification- Maintenance Mechanic 3

Job Status- Full-Time/Permanent

WDFW Program- Capital and Asset Management Program (CAMP) – Yakima Construction Shop

Duty Station- Yakima, Washington – Yakima County

Learn more about being a member of Team WDFW!

Boom truck installing a fish screen at a fish ladder next to waterfalls

Photo Caption: Fish Screen Replacement – Photo Credit: WDFW

Join our team at the Capital and Asset Management Program, where we provide essential engineering, construction, and maintenance services to support the agency’s facilities, infrastructure, and ecosystems.

With your experience, you will fabricate, repair, and maintain fish screens and related structures. Your work will support key conservation efforts by maintaining state-owned dams, operating heavy equipment for site repairs, and ensuring the proper removal and installation of fish screens across various sites.

What to Expect:

Among the varied range of responsibilities held within this role, the Maintenance Mechanic’s duties will include,

Welding and Fabrication

• Participate in all phases of shop fabrication and field installations.
• Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentation, or seams of fabricated metal products.
• Generate cut lists, fabricate and assemble the work using TIG, MIG, or SMAW welding processes.
• Operate acetylene, SMAW, and MIG welding equipment (portable or otherwise) in cutting and welding.
• Operate a variety of shop fabrication equipment such as oxyacetylene and arc welders, hand or electric pipe threaders, grinding wheels, buffers, and drill presses.
• Cut, weld, braze, and solder metal parts in the repair and replacement of parts for mechanical equipment, or in repair, replacement, or installation.
• Follow blueprints in doing structural or major mechanical repair work.

State and Federal Fish Screens

• Inspect and repair mechanical fish screens.
• Refurbish existing fish screens to prolong longevity.
• Fabricate and install new fish screens per specifications.

Heavy Equipment Operation

• Operate equipment in a safe and effective manner.
• Operate related equipment to move dirt, rock, equipment, materials, and clear land, dig ditches, remove debris, and build rock beds.
• Maintain and assist with repair of heavy equipment, trucks, and trailers.

Facilities Maintenance

• Repair or install new plumbing, siding, windows, paint, and fixtures.
• Install or repair concrete raceways and ponds at hatchery facilities.
• Remove or dredge silt from retention ponds at hatcheries.
• Repair or replace underground or in-building pipes, valves, and meters.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards: Work is performed outside in all weather conditions and in rough terrain, riverbanks, on slippery slopes, and other surfaces. Repetitively bend, stoop, squat, push, pull, and lift 50 pounds while loading trucks or moving materials around the project site. 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 through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Occasionally have 8-day work weeks including weekends and hours worked over 40.

Travel Requirements: During the construction season, travel will be required up to seven (7) consecutive nights at a time.

Tools and Equipment: Hand and power tools (such as chain saws, drills, grinders, welders, oxy-acetylene torch), pumps, cranes, manual/portable chain hoists, dump truck, backhoe, and excavator.

Customer Interactions: Frequently interact with Federal, Local, Inter-Agency, and Intra-Agency customers and vendors.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

Option 1:

Four (4) years of experience in the welding trade, including three (3) years of experience specifically in fabrication.

Option 2:

Completion of a recognized apprenticeship in a skilled mechanic or welding trade

AND

One (1) year of experience as a journey-level worker in building and equipment maintenance, construction, or repair work.

For each option above, the following is also required:

Experience may be gained concurrently.

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED.

Experience:

• Maintaining records regarding material, equipment, and repairs.
• Welding with mild steel, stainless, and aluminum.
• Maintaining and using tools and equipment, including measuring instruments.
• Using hand tools, power tools, and equipment such as chain saws, drills, grinders, welders, oxy-acetylene torch, pumps, cranes, and manual/portable chain hoists.
• Interpreting design plans, construction prints, and fabrication prints in order to develop material purchasing lists, construction site layout, and cut lists.
• Establishing grade elevations utilizing laser and Topcon equipment or related technology.
• Coordinating projects, including acting as a lead.
• Using personal computers and Microsoft Office software.

Knowledge:

• Accepted practices, processes, materials, and tools of the welding trades.
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions of the welding trades.
• Equipment assembly, installation, and repairs.
• Materials and technical practices (theoretical, precise, artistic), both general and relevant to construction.
• Characteristics of ferrous and non-ferrous metals under welding conditions.
• Principles and operation of oxyacetylene and arc welding equipment.
• Fluxes and hardening agents in welding.
• Fundamentals of heat treatment.
• Standards for welding high-pressure boilers, steam lines, and other potentially hazardous equipment.

Certifications/Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license, with an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Experience using AutoCAD.
• Valid First Aid/CPR Certification.
• Boom Truck Certification.
• Valid Washington Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate.

Your application must 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 pay and other special employee programs, there are other benefits 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: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

Union - WFSE:

This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). This recruitment may be used to fill positions in addition to those listed.

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Veteran and Military Spouse Preference Notice:

Per RCW 73.16.010 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 danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov.
• 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: 2026-1234 – Biologist 1 – Veteran)
• Include your name as it appears on your application in careers.wa.gov.

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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 360-902-2278 or email Jayme.Chase@dfw.wa.gov, or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 800-833-6388.

Technical Difficulties: If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or support@neogov.com.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, please reach out to danielle.gustafson@dfw.wa.gov and reference job #2026-09390.

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