Terrestrial Habitat Biologist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  

Provides habitat services on state, federal, and private lands in coordination with various land managers to increase the quantity and quality of fish and wildlife habitat. This is accomplished through partnerships with landowners, NRCS, public land managers (BLM, USFS, USFWS, NP,S and OSLI), local conservation and weed and pest districts, various conservation and NGO groups, local working groups, and others.

This position is responsible for habitat data collection, analysis, interpretation, and the development of habitat improvement projects conducted in close coordination with partners and key stakeholders.  Conducts environmental reviews related to land use planning, contacts constituent groups and the general public, and engages with regional personnel in the collection and analysis of habitat and big game data, including the region’s hunting season setting process.  Assists with wildlife and habitat research as directed by the regional wildlife management coordinator. Participates in regional and statewide training and other miscellaneous activities as assigned.
  
Writes grant proposals to solicit project funding and technical reports upon project completion to meet grant funding source deadlines. Assists in the development and administration of contracts with private sector contractors to conduct prescriptive habitat treatments. Maintains extensive presence in the field, particularly during summer and fall seasons. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with local WGFD employees, other state and federal agency personnel, local landowners, sports persons, and wildlife organizations.   

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.

• Plan and budget to accomplish goals of the WGFD Strategic Habitat Plan, regional habitat priorities, and the habitat program.
• Seek funding for habitat-related projects in cooperation with partners and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with WGFD, NRCS, county weed and pest and conservation districts, private landowners, sage-grouse and mule deer working groups, and other state and federal land management personnel to enhance wildlife habitat.
• Coordinate and implement cooperative habitat projects to benefit wildlife.
• Assist private landowners and public land managers in obtaining project funding.
• Enhance public awareness and knowledge of the value of healthy habitats and the need to maintain diverse, productive, and sustainable watersheds to meet wildlife needs using various outreach methods.
• Represent the WGFD at public meetings. Interact with the public and landowners to promote WGFD and other partner programs.
• Evaluate wildlife habitat/range conditions through data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Recommend management actions to improve terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
• Monitor and evaluate wildlife habitat improvement projects to determine effectiveness.
• Prepare interim and final reports on special projects. Complete annual strategic habitat plan reports and routine reports as needed.
• Attend training and workshops to keep current with techniques and issues of importance in wildlife management.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in remote locations, difficult terrain, and in all types of weather.
• Ability to work early morning/late evenings and possibly weekends and holidays.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, trailers, and other technical equipment.
• Coordination of nuisance beaver trapping and translocation program for the region, including maintenance and operation of the Cody Regional beaver facility and beaver trailers.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES/**AGENCY REQUIREMENTS: 

Preference will be given to those with a Bachelor’s Degree in wildlife, range or watershed management, ecology, biology or closely related field, PLUS four years of professional work experience in wildlife habitat, watershed, or rangeland management; OR a Master’s Degree in wildlife habitat, range or watershed management, ecology, biology or closely related field, PLUS two years of professional work experience in wildlife habitat, watershed, or rangeland management.
  
 **Must have a valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE: 

• Knowledge of wildlife conservation/management principles, data collection techniques, and habitat requirements and life histories of various wildlife.
• Knowledge of habitat and rangeland management, ecosystem function, ecological plant succession, and grazing management.
• Strong written and verbal inter-personal communication skills.
• Ability to identify native and introduced Wyoming plants in saltbush, sagebrush, grassland, mixed mountain shrub, riparian, aspen, and montane communities.
• Knowledge of vegetation responses to a variety of manipulation techniques including; mechanical, prescribed fire, and herbicide applications.
• Ability to work in the field conducting vegetation monitoring and assessment surveys.
• Knowledge of the NEPA process, impact analysis, environmental comment development, and site-specific mitigation techniques.
• Ability to coordinate and work with federal, state, and local agencies on complex habitat management issues.
• Knowledge of data analysis and interpretation.
• Strong computer skills and knowledge of computer software packages, including ARCGIS.
• Ability to track budget and grant expenditures in accordance with fiscal procedures.
• Ability to respond to injured and nuisance wildlife calls, which may require euthanization of wildlife (use of firearms).
• Skilled in the operation of 4×4 vehicles, ATVs, and snowmobiles in all types of road and environmental conditions.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs or more.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 
Education:Bachelor’s Degree (typically in Wildlife Management)

Experience:1-2 years progressive work experience (typically in Wildlife Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Wildlife Biologist II
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:None OR Education & Experience Substitution:4-6 years of progressive work experience (typically in Wildlife Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Wildlife Biologist II
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:None

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The position requires lifting of heavy objects and strenuous physical exertion at times.
• Be able to work in various weather conditions and environments.
• Must be able to work all days of the week and varied work hours, including weekends and early mornings, evenings/late nights.
• Ability to safely operate motorized equipment, including 4×4 pickup truck, ATVs, and snowmobiles.
• Ability to safely use horses or mules (where assigned) to perform surveys or transport equipment and other items.

NOTES: 

• FLSA: Exempt
• Location, Cody Regional Office – Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Must complete wildlife immobilization training and certification.
• CDL is NOT required for this position.

Supplemental Information

040 – Wyoming Gam and 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.