Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Assistant Wildlife Biologist)

Initial Posting Date:

06/20/2024

Application Deadline:

07/01/2024

Agency:

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Salary Range:

$4,338 - $6,635

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Assistant Wildlife Biologist)

Job Description:

Make a Difference in Oregon's Natural Resources!

Help the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fulfill its mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

This position is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) located in Bend, Oregon.

Are you passionate about making a difference with wildlife and their habitat? Put your natural resource skills to use and do work that matters for wildlife in Oregon.

If you enjoy the outdoors, Oregon is the place for you. We have glaciated mountain peaks to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the massive Columbia River Gorge to the north.

You can fish 365 days a year, and there is hunting for big game, waterfowl, and game birds. Central Oregon attracts thousands of people who fish in the region for trout, salmon, steelhead and warm water fish. The outdoor opportunities are endless when it comes to fish and wildlife in Oregon!

Bend, Oregon is known for its breweries, breathtaking views, and year-round recreational opportunities for the whole family to enjoy. To learn more about the department, the work we do, and see our beautiful state, view the following video at https://youtu.be/8CjDPiPMGAk

What you will do:

Conduct necessary wildlife management activities that include wildlife population inventory, project/study planning, wildlife damage control, habitat protection and interact with the public, private landowners, and state and federal land managers.

Conduct biological surveys and capture:

Conduct biological surveys on various species of wildlife including big game, waterfowl, upland game birds, furbearers, and nongame wildlife. Determine ratios (male:female, young:female ratios, and adult:young) for post season survival, trend and reproductive success.

Identify species by vehicle and aircraft (fixed wing and helicopter) and determine post winter survival and trend. Analyze data, herd range and population models for recommending harvest seasons. Capture wildlife (e.g., elk, deer, antelope, bears, cougar, wolves) for tagging, relocation and/or rehabilitation.

Collect biological samples (e.g., teeth, reproductive tracts, and other tissue) using Department protocols. Write a variety of reports and maintain accurate drug logs.

Respond to wildlife damage complaints:

Determine appropriate responses to wildlife damage complaints and recommend corrective and/or preventive measures to landowners. Record information on wildlife damage form. Respond to and work on various wildlife disease issues.

Wildlife Habitat Protection and Enhancement.

Plan, coordinate, and implement habitat projects to benefit wildlife species. Work with land management partners, and private landowners to develop projects that will benefit wildlife and their habitats.

Analyze Land Use Documents from private, County, State and Federal Agencies:

Review land use documents to determine impacts to wildlife, and their habitats. Recommend mitigative or corrective measures to staff and appropriate agencies.

Provide information to the public:

Act as a representative of the Department at meetings, in the office and in the field. Provide a wide variety of information regarding wildlife management programs to the public as requested.

Deliver presentations to school classes, civic groups, sportsmen/conservation organizations. Provide the media with news and information reports, including but not limited to human safety, damage, hunting seasons, habitat, and nongame. Contact hunters in the field during hunting season to verify license and tag compliance, record harvest information, and report violations to the Oregon State Police.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

Working Conditions

• Requires travel by air, vehicle, or foot through isolated rugged terrain in all types of weather conditions.

• Work includes exposure to all types of inclement weather conditions and wildlife in defensive postures.

• Frequent contact with the public, and other internal and external agency personnel are frequent and a well-developed sense of diplomacy is required.

• This position will occasionally use a firearm to deliver immobilization drugs and projecting nets for wildlife capture, euthanizing injured or sick wildlife, killing or hazing nuisance animals or birds, collecting animals for research or other studies, and protection from dangerous animals in close quarters. Both firearm and chemical immobilization training/certification is required.

• This position requires an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Education Card for on the job use of quads (Class 1 ATVs) obtained through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, accessible at the following website: www.rideatvoregon.org/. On your application, be sure to indicate in the Work Experience Description if you have a card or a copy of your card can be attached. If the selected applicant does not possess this certification, s/he must obtain it within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

• This position requires a Boater Education Card obtained through the Oregon State Marine Board. There are some exceptions to this (e.g., Coast Guard Boat Operator License or commercial fishing license). For further information, access the Web site at www.boatoregon.com.
  
  On your application, be sure to indicate in the Work Experience Description if you have a card or a copy of your card can be attached. If the selected applicant does not possess a card, s/he must obtain it before completion of the trial service period as a condition of continued employment.

• Requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day. This includes working at all hours and workdays in excess of eight hours.

Criminal Records/DMV Check

Applicants are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check. Driving is required for all positions.

Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current certified driving record for review to be considered for the position. Be prepared to obtain as soon as possible. You are expected to provide the out-of-state certified driving record before an offer can be made unless extenuating circumstances exist. Adverse background and/or driving information may disqualify you from further consideration.

NOTE: Within three-days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S.

Department Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.

We are seeking applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have the following skills and experience:

Minimum Qualifications:

Two years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program that included one year of at least two of the following: gathering data, analyzing data, or preparing reports, and a Bachelor's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely related Bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological coursework; or three additional years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program; OR

One year biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program that included at least two of the following: gathering data, analyzing data, or preparing reports, and a Master's degree Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely related Master's degree in biological/ecological sciences; OR

A Doctorate degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely related Doctorate degree in biological/ecological sciences.

Applicants who have obtained a Master's degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The Master's degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately, and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.

Requested Skills:

• Conducting wildlife inventories

• Working with wildlife damage or public safety complaints

• Capturing and handling wildlife

• Making management recommendations

• Excellent writing and verbal skills

• Critical review/comment on documents

• Report writing

• Communicate well and work with a variety of constituents

Additional Information:

Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the "Job History" section in your application or you may not be considered for this position. Resumes will not replace the completed "Job History" section in your online application.

You may be disqualified if your experience listed in the "Job History" section does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. If any of the positions listed in your application are part time or seasonal, be sure to include the dates you worked (month and year) and the average amount of hours worked per week in the duties section. Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.

Note: You will be required to provide a copy of your official or unofficial transcripts (online transcripts are acceptable) during the selection process that show your name, the name/address of the institution, coursework with passing grades, and degree conferred (including date), if you are using education to qualify.

Transcripts and cover letters can be attached to your application in the Resume/CV/Cover Letter attachments field when you apply. Cover letters may not be reviewed unless it is stated as a requirement in the job posting.

For helpful tips on filling out your job history, responding to the supplemental questions, and submitting your application, click here

Internal Applicants: The contact information that is prefilled on your application is typically your work email and work phone number.

Be sure to check your state email and Workday notifications for your status regarding the recruitment process. If you are away from the office or unable to check your state email account for an extended period, contact the HR Recruitment Unit and the hiring manager to let them know your personal email and phone number where you can be contacted. This will help to ensure you do not miss out on any correspondence that may be related to an interview. If you apply for a position as an internal applicant and then terminate while the recruitment is still in process, contact the Recruitment Unit to have your contact information updated.

External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application. Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting.

The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans' preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.

This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.

The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.

Veterans - If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans' preference points will be added to your score. For more information on veterans' preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.

Find information on State of Oregon benefits

More information about our agency can be found on our social media accounts and at myodfw.com and https://www.dfw.state.or.us/

If you are passionate about natural resources, we invite you to join our team and assist with furthering ODFW's mission by partnering with communities and sharing how our work has a positive effect on Oregon's fish, wildlife and their habitats. ODFW is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce as we strive to represent and better serve our neighboring communities.

Our most important asset is our employees, and each person brings unique, different, and important contributions to the workplace and community we serve. With Oregon's changing demographics, a workforce that reflects this change will make us stronger and create an opportunity for better decision making. Consider joining our team as we lead ODFW into the future!

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer