Waynesville Conservation Technician I

State of North Carolina•Balsam, NC

1d•Onsite

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. It 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. 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 (LAWA) oversees the agency’s Game Land Program, land acquisition program, maintenance of boating and fishing access areas, and navigational aids. Most activities 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 managed by a Wildlife / Fisheries Biologist Supervisor II. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is accepting applications for a Wildlife Conservation Technician I for our Land & Water Access Division – Balsam/Waynesville Depot. The position conducts fish and wildlife habitat management, research, surveys, and infrastructure management on state owned lands or waterways.

Requirements

Possession of a Commercial Driver’s License (Class A) or obtained within 1 year of employment date
Possession of an NC Pesticide Applicators license or 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)
All offers of employment will be contingent upon successful completion of pre- and post-employment evaluations
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
Some positions may require Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), pesticide applicator’s license and/or NC Burner Certificate
Some positions may require coursework in fish culture

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
Ability to determine supply and equipment needs
Knowledge of various 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 or waterways
Restore and improve fish and wildlife habitats for all endangered and game species
Provide hunting opportunities for sportsmen
Manage wildlife openings
Create early successional habitats
Restore altered ecosystems
Support research and survey efforts that aid in the long-term management and identification of species and habitats
Perform prescribed burning
Maintain and renovate boating access areas, public fishing areas and Aids to Navigation on our waterways
Maintain infrastructure including 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 heavy equipment