Jordan Conservation Technician I

State of North Carolina • Chatham County, NC

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Wildlife Conservation Technician I works for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission’s Land and Water Access Division, based out of the WRC Jordan Depot in Chatham County, North Carolina. The position conducts fish and wildlife habitat management, research, surveys, and infrastructure management on state-owned lands and waterways. Work supports habitat restoration and improvement, wildlife population enhancement, hunting opportunities, wildlife openings, early successional habitats, ecosystem restoration, research and surveys, prescribed burning, and maintenance of boating and fishing access areas and navigational aids.

Infrastructure duties include maintaining roads, dikes, trails, game land boundaries, docks, piers, navigation aids, and parking areas. The work involves operating heavy equipment, including farm tractors, crawler tractors, mowers, trucks, and other equipment. The position works 40 hours per week on a modified schedule, with specific times set by the manager. Night work and overnight travel may occasionally be required, and some weekend or holiday work may be required.

The position requires working primarily outdoors in all kinds of weather, performing manual labor and lifting medium to heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds daily, and wearing safety equipment while following established safety procedures. A valid North Carolina driver’s license is required within 90 days of hire; a North Carolina Class A CDL is required within 12 months; and a North Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s license is required within six months. Pre-employment drug testing and employment evaluations are required.

Requirements

• Associate degree in wildlife or fisheries management or construction management from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience managing wildlife or fisheries resources or operating heavy equipment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license within 90 days of hire, with proof of a valid license and acceptable driving record.
• North Carolina Class A Commercial Driver’s License within 12 months of employment.
• North Carolina Pesticide Applicator’s license within six months of employment.
• Ability to work primarily outdoors in all kinds of weather conditions.
• Ability to perform manual labor and lift medium to heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds daily.
• Ability to wear safety equipment and follow established safety regulations and procedures.
• Complete required pre-employment drug testing and release/background forms concerning applicable controlled-substance and alcohol testing with previous employers.
• Successfully complete pre- and post-employment evaluations.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of wildlife management, fish management, wildlife habitats, land management, forest management, or agriculture practices, including the ability to identify wildlife, plants, or fish.
• Experience operating and maintaining equipment, tools, and vehicles such as agricultural machinery and implements, forestry or heavy equipment, large commercial highway vehicles and trailers, ATVs and UTVs, boats and trailers, chainsaws, welders, two-way radios, pumps, fire-related equipment, power tools, hand tools, and shop tools.
• Ability to read, interpret, catalog, and enter data using a computer.
• Experience in construction, determining supply and equipment needs, and knowledge of construction principles and techniques.
• Experience reading and executing construction plans and blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fish and wildlife habitat management, research, surveys, and infrastructure management on state-owned lands and waterways.
• Restore and improve fish and wildlife habitats for endangered and game species.
• Enhance wildlife populations through cultural practices and manage wildlife openings.
• Provide hunting opportunities and create early successional habitats.
• Restore altered ecosystems and support research and survey efforts that aid long-term species and habitat management.
• Conduct prescribed burning.
• Maintain and renovate boating access areas, public fishing areas, and aids to navigation.
• Maintain roads, dikes, trails, game land boundaries, docks, piers, navigation aids, and parking areas.
• Operate heavy equipment, including farm tractors, crawler tractors, mowers, trucks, and other equipment.

Benefits

• Competitive and family-friendly employee benefits, with details on employee resources, safety, health and wellness, leave options, and employee discounts available through the NC OSHR website.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree