Wildlife Management Biologist

State of Montana • Conrad, MT

15d

About The Position

The Conrad Area Wildlife Biologist is responsible for the implementation of the Department's wildlife management program, including the State Wildlife Action Plan in the north Rocky Mountain Front and Golden Triangle area of the FWP Region 4. This includes designing and conducting field investigations on wildlife populations and habitats, preparing wildlife management recommendations, communicating department programs and policies, informing the 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

• 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 essential.
• 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 a demonstrated record of accomplishment 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 essential to this position.
• Must have a 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.
• Must have the essential skills and knowledge to determine management parameters that must be inventoried.
• To fulfill the duties of a field biologist, an individual must have a 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.
• The biologist must have a clear understanding of the habitat requirements of important endemic and introduced wildlife species and how those requirements vary across a broad range of ecotypes.
• The biologist must be familiar with and be able to implement a variety of habitat and vegetation survey techniques.
• Knowledge of plant identification and physiology and ecology is required.
• A biologist must be capable of entering, analyzing, and summarizing data, as well as correlating complex data sets and analyzing and reconciling conflicting and often unclear relationships.
• Must have thorough knowledge of the laws, policies, and regulations under which the agency operates.
• Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and communicate verbally and in writing with employees, other agencies, corporations, and various public and private factions.
• A biologist must be familiar with a variety of specialized wild animal capture and handling techniques including chemical immobilization, helicopter drive nets, net guns, rocket propelled nets, clover traps, corral traps and foot snares.
• Experience with radio telemetry equipment including aerial and ground relocation techniques is necessary.
• Must have a demonstrated ability to conceptualize wildlife problems, design projects to test hypotheses, conduct field studies, compile and analyze wildlife data, interpret results, present conclusions and recommendations, communicate complex issues and ideas to diverse public; collectively in a way that effectively influences decision makers at the Federal, State, County and private landowner levels.
• Must have demonstrated ability in conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Must have demonstrated ability and desire to collaborate with others (researchers, managers, specialists) internal and external to the Department working in their area of responsibility.
• Ability to perform tasks independent of close supervision is essential.
• Requires a thorough knowledge of FWP’s habitat program including land conservation tools like conservation easements and habitat conservation leases, grazing system design and management, upland game bird and waterfowl enhancement program, and approaches to evaluating habitat impacts by wildlife, livestock and human activities.
• Must have the skills and knowledge of appropriate and accepted wildlife survey techniques and the skills and abilities to select and utilize technical equipment essential for wildlife management operations in the Region.
• The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through a 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 that includes the examples of: · 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

• Designs and implements projects which enhance and maintain wildlife habitat on private, public and FWP owned lands, including: developing contracts to protect and enhance habitat using programs such as the FWP Upland Game Bird Enhancement and Migratory Bird Programs, Habitat Montana, and private funding sources; provide technical assistance to public land management agencies for habitat improvements and reviews resource management plans, grazing allotments and other environmental documents; oversee public use management and habitat development/management on the FWP owned Blackleaf and Marias River WMA’s.
• Designs and conducts field investigations to determine the characteristics and dynamics of wildlife populations and their habitats and uses this information to make recommendations for hunting season proposals, quotas, and habitat and access projects, includes surveying big game, upland game bird and nongame populations; compiling, analyzing and interpreting data; and designing and implementing special investigations and research studies.
• Increases opportunities for public enjoyment of wildlife resources by: improving hunter access to private and public lands by developing solid working relationships with private landowners, implementing the Block Management and Upland Game Bird Enhancement Programs and through potential conservation leases, conservation easements and fee title acquisition; collaborate with USFS, BLM, DNRC and Tribal (Blackfeet Reservation) personnel; expand distribution of selected species by trapping and/or transplanting into suitable unoccupied habitats.
• Responds to game damage complaints and takes or recommends appropriate actions to alleviate problems.
• In conjunction with FWP health lab plays a critical role in disease management (CWD) in the Region as well with adjoining FWP Regions, Canada and Tribal partners.

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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level