Instream Flow Biologist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking a Statewide Instream Flow Biologist to lead instream flow water right efforts and related water management activities aimed at conserving and enhancing Wyoming’s aquatic resources.

Human Resource Contact: Dezzaree Schott/ dezzaree.schott@wyo.gov

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

• Work collaboratively to lead a statewide instream flow program to identify candidate stream segments, conduct studies, write final reports, and complete instream flow water right filings.
• The present study results are associated with instream flow filings at public hearings.
• Serve as a biologist and primary contact for all matters relating to instream flow water rights statewide.
• Develop an annual field-level budget and be responsible for reviewing, monitoring, and controlling expenditures.
• Collaboratively update the water management plan and implement plan strategies and actions.
• Coordinate with other agencies, departments, programs, and outside entities, especially including the Wyoming Water Development Office and the State Engineer’s Office.
• With appropriate training, be willing and able to lead sampling efforts involving modern surveying tools and software, stream gaging and measurement tools, drones, and other data collection gear on boats and rafts or while wading in streams, rivers, and lakes.
• With appropriate training, be willing and able to synthesize and analyze complex hydrology, physical habitat simulation, habitat quality index, and other data with computer models to develop instream flow water right recommendations.
• Provide technical support to other department personnel with the collection of physical habitat, hydrology, or survey data.
• Assist with the development of annual work schedules, statewide habitat plan project summaries, reports, data entry, and equipment maintenance.
• Hire and train contract seasonal employees and supervise their work.
• Annually review water development proposals from the Wyoming Water Development Commission to facilitate awareness among Department staff of projects with an aquatic resource nexus.
• Maintain and improve the effectiveness of instream flow and water management approaches and strategies by attending professional meetings, reading literature, and interacting with other professionals including the Instream Flow Council and Wyoming Water Association.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES/**AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: 

Preference may be given to applicants with a Master’s degree in fishery biology, biology, zoology, ichthyology, or wildlife management, plus two years of professional work experience in fisheries management, aquatic resource research or aquatic habitat management.

Preference will be given to applicants who attach a cover letter and resume with their online state application.

**Agency requires that the successful applicant have a valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE: 

• Decision-making ability and analytical, oral, and written communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with aquatic habitat, discharge, stage, and surveying equipment and procedures used on flowing waters.
• Experience with hydraulic and hydrologic models (e.g,. HQI, PHABSIM, SEFA, River 2D, etc.).
• Experience designing and implementing field studies on flowing waters, leading to detailed reports.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitat, ecology, and instream flow concepts and practices.
• Knowledge of Western water law and aquatic resource conservation challenges.
• Knowledge of agency and professional standards and practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 
Education:Bachelor’s Degree (typically in Wildlife Management)
Experience:1-3 years progressive work experience (typically in Wildlife Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Senior Wildlife Biologist
OR
Education & Experience Substitution:4-7 years of progressive work experience (typically in Wildlife Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Senior Wildlife Biologist
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:None

Necessary Special Requirements

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Ability to perform field work on lakes and streams in remote locations and under adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to work in a collaborative office environment and a field environment.
• Ability to complete a suite of instream flow field methods on a routine basis.
• Occasional night and weekend work required.
• Overnight travel for fieldwork during June through September is routine and required, sometimes with durations of 4–8 days.
• Camping for fieldwork may be necessary

NOTES: 

• FLSA: Exempt

Supplemental Information

040-Game&Fish-FishDivision

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.