Senior Wildlife Biologist - 2026-01953

State of Wyoming•Cody, WY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) seeks a Senior Regional Wildlife Biologist based in Cody, Wyoming. This position leads wildlife disease management efforts within the Cody Region, and sometimes assists in statewide disease management efforts. This position is supervised out of the Cody Region.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (typically in Wildlife Management)
1-2 years progressive work experience (typically in Wildlife Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Wildlife Biologist II
Valid driver’s license

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in wildlife management, wildlife habitat, ecology, or related field plus two years of professional work experience in wildlife management, wildlife habitat, ecology, or related field.
Applicant-written cover letter

Responsibilities

Coordinates and implements regional (and occasionally statewide) surveillance and management actions to understand and, if possible, reduce the prevalence of diseases in wildlife populations.
Coordinates with the Department's Veterinary Services Branch and regional wildlife personnel on disease sampling, submission, and study needs.
Conducts field checks and collects biological samples from harvested wildlife for disease surveillance.
Assists with other identified disease surveillance and management needs, including the development of project proposals, solicitation of funding, and review and editing of periodic or final reports.
Provides wildlife disease-based recommendations for hunting season dates, quotas, and population objectives.
Remains knowledgeable and current on disease sampling techniques and provides training to regional personnel as needed.
Plans, coordinates, and conducts large scale data collection efforts involving multiple field personnel.
Leads analyses using population data for game animals including but not limited to information on population size and trend, herd ratios, distribution, movement and migration patterns, field checks of harvested animals, and mortality factors.
Leads the coordination and development of hunting seasons designed to move animal populations toward established objectives, including the understanding and incorporation of public feedback.
Collects data for disease surveillance and population monitoring for non-game, protected, and SGCN species.
Develops initial comments and recommendations for regional wildlife environmental reviews regarding projects from county governments, state and federal agencies, and private landowners. Project recommendations are developed to minimize impacts to wildlife populations by recommending alternatives and mitigation.
Represents the WGFD at public meetings.
Develops and maintains effective working relations by communicating and coordinating with private landowners, state and local governmental agencies, project proponents, and NGOs to effectively communicate WGFD programs and policies.
Present programs to civic and sportsperson organizations and schools.
Routinely communicates with hunters and landowners.
Responds to and appropriately handles injured and nuisance wildlife calls which may require euthanasia of wildlife.
Uses chemical and mechanical immobilization equipment and techniques when necessary and appropriate.
Uses firearms to euthanize wildlife.
Identifies specific wildlife related research needs and develops project proposals, including methods and budgets, coordinates with researchers, writes proposals to acquire funds, provides input and guidance to project personnel, collects data, and writes, reviews, and edits annual and final project reports.
Assists in coordinating and conducting habitat management by evaluating wildlife habitat conditions, collecting data, and recommending improvements or projects to enhance wildlife habitat.
Participates in WGFD assigned species working groups and committee assignments.
Ensures budget and grant expenditures are within allocated amounts and in accordance with fiscal procedures.
Maintains assigned vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other technical equipment.
Carries out other duties as assigned.
Day and overnight travel through some of the most remote wilderness in the lower 48 states of the US to collect biological data, or to other regions to assist with disease monitoring and mitigation activities.