Wildlife Management Biologist

State of Montana•Missoula, MT

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Missoula area biologist’s responsibility area includes the Missoula Valley and Lower Clark Fork to Lookout Pass to include the communities of Missoula, Frenchtown, Alberton, Superior, and St Regis and deer/elk hunting districts 200, 201, 202, and the northern portion of 260. The biologist is based out of the regional office in Missoula and customer service and public interaction are an expectation. Missoula is a high-cost real estate market and applicants are encouraged to research the housing market before applying. Normal office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, but hours will vary depending on demands throughout the year. The work area includes large portions of the Superior, Ninemile, and Missoula Ranger Districts on the Lolo National Forest, including the Rattlesnake wilderness and Great Burn recommended wilderness, as well as the large urban/suburban area of the Missoula valley. The biologist is expected to work closely with landowners on game damage and other wildlife management issues, respond to urban deer/wildlife calls, work with organized stakeholder groups such as the Mineral County Resource Coalition and with a variety of city, county, federal and NGO staff working on natural resource issues around the Missoula valley. The biologist is expected to work closely with municipalities and other partners on urban deer management and emerging wildlife disease issues. The biologist is responsible for habitat management on two Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Fish Creek and Mt Jumbo and works closely with the City on managing recreation/wildlife issues on Mt Jumbo. The biologist will work collaboratively on WMA management issues with the Enforcement, Fisheries, and Parks and Outdoor Recreation divisions. Annual wildlife surveys include but are not limited to: aerial elk and mule deer surveys in the spring, aerial mule deer surveys in the winter, aerial bighorn sheep surveys in the spring (2 bighorn sheep herds), summer ground surveys for mountain goats in the Great Burn, and a spring/summer aerial survey of mountain goats in the Rattlesnake wilderness. The biologist is responsible for running a game check station near Fish Creek during the general rifle season every year. The biologist works closely with the non-game biologist and assists with annual non-game surveys as needed. The Wildlife Biologist is responsible for the implementation of the Department's wildlife management program, including the State Wildlife Action Plan, in their assigned work area in Region 2. This includes developing and implementing adaptive wildlife and habitat management strategies; preparing wildlife management recommendations including hunting season regulations; working with various private landowners, various government agencies, other organizations and stakeholders to increase public enjoyment of natural resources; represent the Department on wildlife, habitat and access management matters; and maintain proficiency of a professional wildlife scientist. This is accomplished by: Designing and conducting ground and aerial field investigations and surveys; recording and analyzing survey data, species information statistical models and data from Department databases; formulating management strategies and plans that benefit wildlife populations and habitats; obtaining public support for proposals and submitting proposals through a public process which are often highly visible and controversial, involving the entire spectrum of interests and stakeholders in wildlife conservation issues; identify habitat conservation and access needs; utilize population models to predict adaptive harvest and changing environmental factors influencing wildlife conservation; establish hunter check stations and collect pertinent biological data to assist in evaluating population trends and status; respond to wildlife damage complaints following legal statutes and department policies; collaborate with Department staff to design, implement and interpret findings of wildlife and wildlife habitat related studies to further understanding and management of specific species; oversee and conduct habitat maintenance and improvement projects on department Wildlife Management areas; work with land management agency staff to identify and improve habitat management plans and actions on public lands; demonstrate the ability to safely capture, restrain and immobilize a variety of wildlife species; provide data and information to mitigate habitat development on private and public lands, maintain professional status through literature review and trainings, present findings and information to public and scientific audiences at various settings; and develop and maintain working relationships with Department staff, other agency staff, and the public to foster communication, cooperation and collaboration on projects. This position requires a creative and energetic person who is a life-long-learner, and capable of pioneering new approaches to wildlife conservation that address issues of the day, and issues of the future. A demonstrated interest in - and working knowledge of - the natural history of a broad array of wildlife species is important. The position also requires proven “people skills” (interpersonal relationships, communications, networking, team-building, coaching, facilitation), an ability to maintain good working relationships with the breadth of stakeholders in wildlife issues (agricultural interests, conservation community, industry, state and federal agencies, and Tribes) and skills in conflict management and collaborative problem solving. Patience and persistence are necessary traits. Leadership, and collaborative skills and ability to pioneer data management systems are just as important to this position as an aptitude and ability to conduct fieldwork. Good organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently are important.

Requirements

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a 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.
Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Equivalent experience is defined as five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a wildlife biologist or senior wildlife technician, in addition to successful completion of a single research effort 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.
As primary author, completion of one or more publications in a peer-reviewed 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

Designing and conducting ground and aerial field investigations and surveys
Recording and analyzing survey data, species information statistical models and data from Department databases
Formulating management strategies and plans that benefit wildlife populations and habitats
Obtaining public support for proposals and submitting proposals through a public process which are often highly visible and controversial, involving the entire spectrum of interests and stakeholders in wildlife conservation issues
Identify habitat conservation and access needs
Utilize population models to predict adaptive harvest and changing environmental factors influencing wildlife conservation
Establish hunter check stations and collect pertinent biological data to assist in evaluating population trends and status
Respond to wildlife damage complaints following legal statutes and department policies
Collaborate with Department staff to design, implement and interpret findings of wildlife and wildlife habitat related studies to further understanding and management of specific species
Oversee and conduct habitat maintenance and improvement projects on department Wildlife Management areas
Work with land management agency staff to identify and improve habitat management plans and actions on public lands
Demonstrate the ability to safely capture, restrain and immobilize a variety of wildlife species
Provide data and information to mitigate habitat development on private and public lands
Maintain professional status through literature review and trainings
Present findings and information to public and scientific audiences at various settings
Develop and maintain working relationships with Department staff, other agency staff, and the public to foster communication, cooperation and collaboration on projects

Benefits

Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays.
This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume