Waynesville Conservation Technician I

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission•Haywood County, NC

14h•Onsite

About The Position

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Land and Water Access Division (LAWA) oversees the agency’s Game Land Program, land acquisition program, maintenance of boating and fishing access areas, and navigational aids. This position, based out of the WRC Balsam/Waynesville Depot, is a Wildlife Conservation Technician I within the LAWA Division. The role involves conducting fish and wildlife habitat management, research, surveys, and infrastructure management on state-owned lands or waterways. Key objectives include restoring and improving habitats for various species, providing hunting opportunities, managing wildlife openings, creating early successional habitats, restoring altered ecosystems, and supporting research. The position also involves maintaining and renovating boating access areas, public fishing areas, and Aids to Navigation. Infrastructure duties include maintenance of roads, dikes, trails, game land boundaries, docks, piers, navigation aids, and parking areas. The work requires operating heavy equipment such as farm tractors, crawler tractors, mowers, trucks, and other heavy equipment. A modified 40-hour work schedule is associated with this position, with specific times set by the manager. Night work and overnight travel may be required occasionally, as well as working some weekends and/or holidays.

Requirements

Possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (Class A). If not already in possession of one must be obtained within 1 year of employment date.
Possession of an NC Pesticide Applicators license. If not, already in possession of one must be obtained within 1 year of employment date.
Ability to work primarily outdoors, in all kinds 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.
Pre-employment drug / alcohol testing is required.
Completion of release form and background statement allowing NCWRC to check with previous employees for the past two years about controlled substances and alcohol testing (if applicable).
Associate Degree in wildlife or fisheries management or construction management from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience which has included the management of wildlife or fisheries resources or the operation of heavy equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license required within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of wildlife management, fish management, wildlife habitats, land management, forest management, or agriculture practices that include the ability to identify wildlife, plants, and/or fish.
Experience operating and maintaining a variety of equipment, tools and vehicles required to perform the duties of the position; including agricultural machinery and implements, forestry or heavy equipment, large commercial highway vehicles and trailers, ATVs and UTVs, boats and trailers, chainsaws, welders, 2-way radios, pumps and other fire related equipment, power tools, hand tools, and shop tools.
Ability to read, interpret, catalog and enter data using a computer.
Experience in construction.
Determine supply and equipment needs.
Knowledge of various construction principles and techniques.
Experience reading and executing construction plans and blueprints.

Responsibilities

Restoring and Improving fish and wildlife habitats for all endangered and game species.
Providing hunting opportunities for sportsmen.
Managing wildlife openings.
Creating early successional habitats.
Restoring altered ecosystems.
Supporting research and survey efforts that aid in the long-term management and identification of species and habitats.
Prescribed burning.
Maintaining and renovating boating access areas, public fishing areas and Aids to Navigation on our waterways that benefit citizens of our State.
Maintenance of roads, dikes, trails, game land boundaries, docks, piers, navigation aids and parking areas.
Operating heavy equipment, including farm tractors, crawler tractors, mowers trucks and other heavy equipment.