Natural Resources Biologist I

State of Maryland • Queen Anne's, MD

8h

About The Position

This is a contractual, position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year. One (1) Long-Term Contractual Vacancy; Full-time; 12 Month Contract GRADE 13 LOCATION OF POSITION Queen Anne, Queen Anne’s County Main Purpose of Job The main purpose of this position is to advance climate mitigation efforts by contributing to wetland restoration efforts on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore. The Department was awarded approximately $43 million through a multi-state application to EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program to support natural carbon sequestration through restoration and conservation. The Department will use the funding to support tree planting, marsh restoration, construction of living shorelines, tidal exchange restoration, and development and implementation of Coastal Resilience Management Plans. The position uses knowledge of coastal ecosystems, wildlife, wetland vegetation, and climate resilience to ensure that considerations for wildlife populations and habitats are included in project planning and implementation. Work is coordinated with Wildlife and Heritage Service staff, the Climate Projects Manager, other grant recipients/subcontractors, communicators, community engagement professionals, and partners to accomplish the goals of the CPRG award. In addition, this position will play a critical role in coordinating with Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) land managers for projects that take place on properties managed by WHS. POSITION DUTIES The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) is currently accepting applications for a Long-Term Contractual Natural Resources Biologist I position to serve as a Wetland Wildlife Restoration Specialist. This position is full-time (40 hours per week). This position will be based in Queen Anne, Maryland, but projects will require travel throughout Queen Anne’s, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, and Somerset counties. Site visits to forested and non-forested coastal wetland systems as well as shoreline restoration sites will be carried out in these counties. The main purpose of this position is to advance the State’s climate mitigation efforts through contributing to wetland restoration efforts on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. The Department was awarded approximately $43 million through a multi-state application to EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program to support natural carbon sequestration through restoration and conservation. The Department will use the multi-year funding to support tree planting, marsh restoration, construction of living shorelines, tidal exchange restoration, and development and implementation of Coastal Resilience Management Plans. This position uses knowledge of coastal ecosystems, wildlife, wetland vegetation, and climate resilience to support implementation of this award. The Biologist has the primary responsibilities of:

Requirements

• Four years of professional experience conducting research and analysis in the fields of biology, biochemistry, environmental science, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management or zoology.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental aquaculture, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology or physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management, zoology, or a natural resources management related field of study from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the wildlife biology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
• Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

• Mid-Atlantic tidal wetland systems, including wildlife and plants
• Management and/or restoration of tidal wetlands
• Climate resilience
• Coordination and collaboration with wildlife professionals, including land managers
• Working on a team to achieve grant objectives.

Responsibilities

• Providing technical assistance regarding site-level characteristics, project design, and expected project outcomes for wildlife and natural plant communities during project planning and implementation, including consultation with Wildlife and Heritage Service staff and outside experts
• Coordinating with Wildlife and Heritage Service staff to facilitate project implementation on Wildlife Management Areas
• Collaborating with the Climate Projects Manager, other project staff, and nonprofit partners to achieve proposed deliverables and ensure alignment with grant requirements
• Assisting with implementation of community engagement in coordination with the Climate Projects Manager and Environmental Justice Officer
• Coordinating with the Department’s communication team to ensure outward storytelling about project initiatives and successes.

Benefits

• Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.
• As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits.
• You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
• Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees