Wildlife Management Biologist

State of Montana•Jordanów, MT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking to fill an area wildlife biologist position to be located in southeastern Montana in Jordan. Jordan is located in Garfield County and covers a large area of prime habitat that includes portions of the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Montana FWP Region 7. Jordan is a small town in and the county seat of Garfield County with a population of approximately 360 people. The area is part of the Hell Creek Formation which has been intensively studied with many fascinating archaeological discoveries. The vast and dynamic grasslands and arid forests that constitute SE Montana provide some of the best hunting for birds, antelope, elk, and mule deer, while the riparian areas of the prairie rivers sustain turkeys and white-tailed deer. The Wildlife Biologist is responsible for the implementation of the department’s wildlife management program, including the State Wildlife Action Plan in Jordan. This includes designing and conducting field investigations on wildlife populations and habitats, preparing wildlife management recommendations, communicating department programs and policies, informing the general public of wildlife and habitat matters, maintaining, enhancing, and protecting wildlife habitat and hunting access on private and public lands and maintaining proficiency as a professional wildlife scientist.

Requirements

Creative and energetic person
Life-long-learner
Capable of pioneering new approaches to wildlife conservation that address issues of the day, and issues of the future
Demonstrated interest in and working knowledge of the natural history of a broad array of wildlife species
Proven "people skills" (interpersonal, relationships, communications, networking, team building, coaching, facilitation)
Ability to maintain good working relationships with the breadth of stakeholders in wildlife issues (agriculture interests, conservation community, industry, state and federal agencies, and Tribes)
Demonstrated record of accomplishment in conflict management and collaborative problem solving
Patience and persistence
Leadership and collaborative skills
Ability to pioneer data management systems
Good organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
Thorough knowledge and ability to integrate the arts and sciences of wildlife population biology, plant and animal ecology, soil science, research techniques and the principles of wildlife management
Essential skills and knowledge to determine management parameters that must be inventoried
Thorough knowledge of the biology, behavior and ecology of a diversity of wildlife including 10 species of big game, 7 upland game birds, 9 furbearers and numerous non-game species
Knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology is necessary for sex and condition analysis and investigation of cause of death
Clear understanding of the habitat requirements of important endemic and introduced wildlife species and how those requirements vary across a broad range of ecotypes
Familiarity with and ability to implement a variety of habitat and vegetation survey techniques
Knowledge of plant identification and physiology and ecology is required
Master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Range Management, Zoology or Biology, including completion of a field research project presented in a successfully defended thesis
OR five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a wildlife biologist or senior wildlife technician that includes: Literature review and development of a problem statement and/or hypothesis for a particular issue
Development of a detailed study plan or sampling protocol for a field-oriented project based on the above-noted hypothesis
Data collection and the effective management of data with an appropriate application
Interpretation and analysis of data, including a quantitative assessment of that information
Completion of a final report in a peer-reviewed publication or a publication comparable to a refereed journal
If appropriate to the project, formulation of any recommended changes in management prescriptions and/or actions
Oral presentation on results of investigation to agency staff or public audience

Responsibilities

Implementation of the department’s wildlife management program, including the State Wildlife Action Plan in Jordan
Designing and conducting field investigations on wildlife populations and habitats
Preparing wildlife management recommendations
Communicating department programs and policies
Informing the general public of wildlife and habitat matters
Maintaining, enhancing, and protecting wildlife habitat and hunting access on private and public lands
Maintaining proficiency as a professional wildlife scientist