Mule Deer Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist 3)
About The Position
The Mule Deer Coordinator (Natural Resource Specialist 3) is based in La Grande, Oregon, and implements the Oregon Mule Deer Management Plan as the technical expert on mule deer management and the primary point of contact between the Wildlife Division and field biologists. The role coordinates with multiple districts, research programs, and wildlife and habitat divisions to promote consistent surveys and data collection for integrated population management across 22 mule deer herd ranges. It also provides guidance on habitat management to address factors limiting mule deer productivity. The position oversees implementation and monitoring of plan strategies, provides regular status updates, guides data collection and analysis, and leads population monitoring. Work includes assessing GPS collar data, survival and habitat-use analyses, migration routes, and statistically valid population models. The employee coordinates district survey efforts and collaborates with researchers, contractors, land managers, and other partners. An ATV Safety Education Card from Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department must be obtained within the first six months of appointment.
Requirements
- Meet one of the stated minimum qualification pathways: six years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource-management activities in a fish or wildlife program, including at least one year at a technical or professional level; or a qualifying bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological coursework and three years of such experience, including at least one year at a technical or professional level.
- A master's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely related biological/ecological science, may substitute for up to one year of required experience; a doctorate in these fields may substitute for up to two years.
- Obtain an ATV Safety Education Card through the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department within the first six months of appointment.
- Submit a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing interest in the position and relevant skills, knowledge, experience, and desired attributes.
Nice To Haves
- Wildlife-management experience managing, researching, or monitoring mule deer or similar big-game species, including population monitoring, modeling, survey design, and data interpretation.
- Statistical analysis and modeling experience, including applying methods to develop, evaluate, and improve population models, conducting survival analyses, identifying environmental drivers, and ensuring methodological consistency.
- Experience collaborating with biologists, cross-division teams, federal agencies, tribes, private landowners, and technical working groups to address complex management challenges.
- Project and program management experience, including planning, budgeting, and coordinating complex projects such as capture operations, equipment management, data workflows, and collaborative research.
Responsibilities
- Oversee implementation of Oregon Mule Deer Management Plan strategies, monitor their success, and provide regular status updates to the Wildlife Division, the Commission, and other interested parties.
- Collaborate with the Habitat Division and District Biologists to incorporate mule deer needs and management strategies into local, state, and federal land-use decisions.
- Guide mule deer data collection and analysis efforts and determine annual regional capture needs.
- Analyze GPS collar data to assess herd-range boundaries and determine whether updates are needed.
- Conduct survival analyses to assess environmental factors affecting mule deer survival and mortality.
- Conduct habitat-use analyses to guide vegetation management projects that benefit mule deer.
- Periodically reassess mule deer migration routes to identify potential migration barriers and inform land-management decisions.
- Lead mule deer population monitoring efforts and collaborate with researchers, contractors, and others to develop and implement statistically valid population models.
- Evaluate population-model performance, identify bugs, and recommend improvements over time.
- Coordinate district survey efforts and implement best practices for data collection to meet analysis and monitoring needs.
Benefits
- 11 paid holidays a year.
- Competitive benefits package.
- Advancement and learning opportunities to help grow your career with the State of Oregon.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
