Southern Piedmont Wildlife Forestry Mgr

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission • Richmond, NC

22d

About The Position

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is the state government agency created to conserve and sustain the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The NCWRC is the regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of North Carolina’s fishing, hunting, trapping, and boating laws. The agency has an operational budget of approximately $100 million and employs approximately 700 full-time staff and 100 seasonal temporary staff across the state, including wildlife and fisheries biologists and technicians, wildlife law enforcement officers, wildlife educators, communication specialists, and customer service, information technology and administrative professionals. The NCWRC Mission is to conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife-associated recreation.

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Land and Water Access Division oversees the agency’s Game Land Program, land acquisition program, maintenance of boating and fishing access areas, and navigational aids. Most of the activities performed in this Section are accomplished by agency technicians, biologists, and forest managers. This Division also manages the agency’s grants planning and office support. Most technicians, biologists, and forest managers are assigned to one of three EcoRegions in the State. Each EcoRegion is managed by a Wildlife / Fisheries Biologist Supervisor II who reports to the division chief. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking applicants for a Wildlife Conservation Forestry Specialist for our Land and Water Access Division. The primary purpose of the Wildlife Conservation Forestry Specialist is prescribing and implementing forest wildlife habitat management, research, and survey activities on 42 State Game Lands consisting of approximately 435,500 acres. The Wildlife Conservation Forestry Specialist will: provide technical assistance as requested to private landowners, as well as other government agencies within an NCWRC region. monitor and direct activities to improve and maintain forest health through active timber management practices, including species restoration, conservation, reforestation and prescribed burning. improve habitats for all wildlife species, as well as to provide hunting opportunities for sportsmen. generate annual and long-term forest management plans for regional game lands for forest health and wildlife habitat improvement. Plans involve specific prescriptions for afforestation, reforestation, harvesting and within rotation timber treatments. inventory, valuation and mark timber to be harvested. train and supervise Assistant Forest manager, technicians and temporary employees in timber marking, tree planting or other forest management projects. map game lands of timber stands and forest management treatments requiring extensive use of GIS software. The forest management database must be updated on at least an annual basis using inventory software. complete spatial calculations, GIS/GPS data collections, and data recording for Federal Aid reporting. collect biological data (weights, reproductive tracts, premolar teeth and other tissue samples from hunter harvested or roadkill black bears and deer) as needed to assist with harvest and disease monitoring or other research projects. prepare for prescribed burns by determining locations of firebreaks to meet fire control, smoke management and habitat improvement objectives. A normal Monday-Friday schedule is associated with this position, though frequent daily travel, night work, and occasional overnight travel and weekend work may be required to meet with landowners, attend meetings, coordinate activities, etc. Position is based out of Richmond County, NC.

Requirements

• INTERNAL POSTING FOR WRC EMPLOYEES ONLY
• Knowledge of wildlife and forestry management practices, ecological principles and silvicultural/forestry techniques
• Experience conducting wildlife and forest inventories and surveys; and identifying wildlife and plants.
• Experience planning, coordinating and implementing complex prescribed burns
• Experience in timber sales and contract administration
• Experience operating heavy equipment, GPS units and GIS software.
• Possession of a Prescribed Burner Certification is required within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of a North Carolina Pesticide Applicators license (endorsed for Forest Pest Control subclass) is required within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required within 90 days of hire. Candidate must present proof of a valid NC Driver’s License and proof of an acceptable driving record.
• Ability to work primarily outdoors in rugged terrain, for prolonged periods of time, and in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to perform manual labor, lifting medium to heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds daily
• Ability to wear safety equipment and follow established safety regulations and procedures.
• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, supplemented by 15 hours of forestry coursework, or a forestry or related biological degree, supplemented by 15 hours of wildlife management coursework, from an appropriately accredited institution and 3 years of related experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A prescribed Burner Certification or the ability to obtain one within 24 months is required.
• May require a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

Responsibilities

• provide technical assistance as requested to private landowners, as well as other government agencies within an NCWRC region.
• monitor and direct activities to improve and maintain forest health through active timber management practices, including species restoration, conservation, reforestation and prescribed burning.
• improve habitats for all wildlife species, as well as to provide hunting opportunities for sportsmen.
• generate annual and long-term forest management plans for regional game lands for forest health and wildlife habitat improvement. Plans involve specific prescriptions for afforestation, reforestation, harvesting and within rotation timber treatments.
• inventory, valuation and mark timber to be harvested.
• train and supervise Assistant Forest manager, technicians and temporary employees in timber marking, tree planting or other forest management projects.
• map game lands of timber stands and forest management treatments requiring extensive use of GIS software. The forest management database must be updated on at least an annual basis using inventory software.
• complete spatial calculations, GIS/GPS data collections, and data recording for Federal Aid reporting.
• collect biological data (weights, reproductive tracts, premolar teeth and other tissue samples from hunter harvested or roadkill black bears and deer) as needed to assist with harvest and disease monitoring or other research projects.
• prepare for prescribed burns by determining locations of firebreaks to meet fire control, smoke management and habitat improvement objectives.

Benefits

• State Employee Benefits
• We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits.
• Learn more about employee resources, safety, health and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by visiting the NC OSHR website .
• NC OSHR: Benefits

What This Job Offers

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