Conservation Biologist II

State of North Carolina•Raleigh, NC

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is in the DEQ Stewardship Program which is responsible for monitoring and managing Department-held conservation properties, easements, and agreements. These properties, easements, and agreements include those generated through the DEQ Division of Mitigation Services, dedications and registry agreements established through the Nature Preserves Act, and other conservation properties managed by the Department. Program activities include monitoring, study, enforcement, and site-management for the purposes of protecting the ecological integrity of these conservation properties. The Conservation Biologist works statewide performing advanced professional work for the management of forestry, wildlife, and other ecological assets on State of NC mitigation lands and easements. Consistent with GS 113A-231, this position will maintain and improve these ecological systems through the planning, coordinating, and conducting of various management practices including selective forest thinning, hazard fuel reductions, prescribed burns, invasive plant control, and habitat enhancements. The position will work independently on the development, implementation, and monitoring of annual and long-range conservation property management plans. The position will conduct research studies and projects related to these plans and practices. This position shall be the program’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the management of ecological systems and protected species habitats on State of NC mitigation lands and easements. Regular in-state travel, occasional overnight travel, and arduous field work are required of the occupant of this position.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management, fisheries science, zoology, or a biological science, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in wildlife or fisheries management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Develop, update, and maintain property access and management plans for approximately 5,300 acres on 14 State-owned mitigation properties.
Coordinate a statewide game lease program on State-owned mitigation properties.
Develop and manage habitat enhancement and hazard vegetation management projects utilizing selective forest thinning, hazard fuel reductions, prescribed burns, invasive plant control, and other appropriate practices.
Exercise independent judgement and communicate directly with landowners, state, and federal resource agency officials to identify conservation grant programs and assist landowners in the development of grant proposals to secure practice funding.
Work in all phases of the project life cycle including resource inventory, project objectives, practice recommendations, conservation benefit analysis, implementation, documentation, and monitoring.
Maintain geospatial data, landowner contact information, monitoring reports, management plans, and other relevant conservation site information.