ATTP99-2024-00512-Habitat Biologist Technician-Sheridan/Buffalo

State of WyomingATTP99-2024-00512-Habitat Biologist Technician-Sheridan/Buffalo

SALARY

$19.40 Hourly

JOB TYPE

Temporary

JOB NUMBER

2024-00512

DEPARTMENT

040-Game & Fish

OPENING DATE

04/01/2024

CLOSING DATE

4/19/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

Description and Functions

Open Until 4/19/2024
 
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: 

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department in cooperation with the Bighorn National Forest is currently working on a large-scale, multi-watershed riparian and aspen enhancement project in the Sheridan Region for the benefit of wildlife habitat, forest diversity, and wildfire management. Aspen forests and riparian habitats are high-priority habitats for wildlife managers in the Bighorn National Forest. Due to the recent initiation of multiple watershed restoration projects in the Powder River and Tongue Ranger Districts, an opportunity has arisen to develop multiple different aspen and riparian enhancement projects. This position will be responsible for mapping aspen and willow habitat enhancement units and conducting pre and post-habitat enhancement monitoring.

Human Resource Contact: Alice Saldana / alice.saldana2@wyo.gov

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed at the job level.

• Utilize existing digital land cover resources, GIS data, and habitat enhancement data from various sources to develop aspen and riparian enhancement projects. Project specifics could include developing conifer removal and prescribed fire units focused on aspen and riparian habitat enhancement.
• Utilize tablets, smartphones, and GPS units to map habitat enhancement units.
• Field evaluation of habitat enhancement units will be required to determine the appropriate treatment to produce the desired habitat objectives. Newly proposed habitat treatment units will require delineation of treatment boundaries, acreage calculations, and current density and size of encroaching conifers to inform forestry thinning contract specifications.
• Conduct fine-scale pre/post-treatment habitat enhancement monitoring on select sites to evaluate habitat enhancement treatment success associated with fire and/or mechanical habitat treatment prescriptions. Monitoring will also entail assessing current browse pressure on willow and aspen habitats. Monitoring will require data collection following the developed protocol.
• Function independently in the field and also as a team member with Wyoming Game and Fish and United States Forest Service personnel working collectively on habitat-related projects.
• Compile habitat mapping and monitoring data in an organized and comprehensible manner so that the data collected can be used for the future development of habitat projects and monitoring.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES: 
 
Preference may be given to those with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, range management, biology, zoology, ichthyology or closely related field, PLUS one to two years of professional work experience in wildlife or fish resource management, research or habitat development.
 
**Agency requires that the successful applicant possess a valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE: 

• Understanding of ecosystem function and identification of plants to the species level in western conifer forests, mountain riparian, and aspen communities.
• Knowledge and an understanding of vegetation response to a variety of manipulation techniques such as mechanical treatment, prescribed fire, and herbicide application as well as vegetation responses to browsing and grazing.
• Knowledge and experience in scientific field data collection
• The ability and willingness to work with minimal supervision in remote locations and difficult terrain.

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The candidate will be required to work alone in a backcountry setting, outdoor survival skills and navigation are required.
• The candidate will be required to navigate independently with a map in remote locations. Use of GPS units and basic tablets/smartphones will be required.
• Ability and willingness to hike extensive distances (3-10 miles/day) during diverse weather conditions and be able to safely operate 4-wheel drive vehicles and ATVs on narrow mountain roads

NOTES: 

• FLSA: Non-exempt
• Successful applicants for employment must pass a background check prior to appointment
• Duration of Employment June 3rd, 2024 through October 4th, 2024 (actual start and end date can be negotiated).
• Housing will be provided. The WGFD will provide a camper stationed at a USFS work center to the successful applicant. Wifi will likely be available at the work center

Supplemental Information
040-Game & Fish-Wildlife Division

Click here to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

URL: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities. 
 Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.