Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Assistant Wildlife Biologist)

Initial Posting Date: 01/03/2024 Application Deadline: 01/17/2024 Agency: Department of Fish and Wildlife Salary Range: $4,338 - $6,635 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Assistant Wildlife Biologist) Job Description: Make a Difference in Oregon's Natural Resources! Help the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fulfill its mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.
This position is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (ODFW) located in Charleston.
Are you passionate about making a difference with wildlife and their habitat? Put your natural resource skills to use and do work that matters for wildlife in Oregon.
If you enjoy the outdoors, Oregon is the place for you.
We have glaciated mountain peaks to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the massive Columbia River Gorge to the north.
You can fish 365 days a year, and there is hunting for big game, waterfowl, and game birds.
Central Oregon attracts thousands of people who fish in the region for trout, salmon, steelhead and warm water fish.
The outdoor opportunities are endless when it comes to fish and wildlife in Oregon! Bend, Oregon is known for its breweries, breathtaking views, and year-round recreational opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.
To learn more about the department, the work we do, and see our beautiful state, view the following video at https://youtu.
be/8CjDPiPMGAk What you will do: Assists with the timely completion of biological surveys on various species of wildlife within the district: Elk population characteristics from helicopter observations in the early spring.
Deer population characteristics from spotlight observations in the winter, spring and other times of year.
Upland bird production estimates from brood observations during the summer.
Band tailed pigeon population trends taken from mineral springs during the summer.
Other observations throughout the year.
Determines distribution and relative abundance of wildlife species utilizing a variety of techniques (snow track counts, bait stations, trapping, radio tracking, calling, remote photo stations, interviews with other observers.
Collect tissue samples for analysis.
Immobilize wildlife in trap using immobilization equipment including firearms.
Receives and responds to wildlife damage complaints: Record information on wildlife damage complaints.
Evaluate type and severity of damage.
Live trap and remove nuisance animals.
Design hunting strategies to reduce damage caused by big game.
Provide advice to individuals to reduce or solve damage.
Coordinate with other agencies or landowners to alleviate damage issues.
Issue haze or kill permits as necessary.
Issue special hunting tags to landowners.
Review land use proposals; contacts with landowners to discuss potential habitat Improvements: Recommend changes to proposals that minimize reductions in quality and quantity of sensitive and critical habitats.
Coordinate with Headquarters staff and others to conserve and improve wildlife habitat.
Present findings to appropriate agency.
Represent the district and Department at public meetings on the proposals.
Visits with landowners to explore possibility of habitat improvement projects on their property.
Contacts USFS and BLM personnel to suggest habitat improvement projects.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.
They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
Working Conditions Requires travel by air, foot or vehicle through isolated, rugged terrain.
Typical work includes exposure to all types of inclement weather.
Driving under inclement road conditions and handling of wild animals are required.
Public contacts sometimes include confused or contentious individuals.
This position requires a Boater Education Card obtained through the Oregon State Marine Board.
There are some exceptions to this (e.
g.
, Coast Guard Boat Operator License or commercial fishing license).
For further information, access the Web site at www.
boatoregon.
com.
On your application, be sure to indicate in your job description if you have a card or a copy of your card can be attached.
This position requires an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Education Card for on the job use of quads (Class 1 ATVs) obtained through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, accessible at the following website: www.
rideatvoregon.
org/.
This position requires occasional use of a firearm to deliver immobilization drugs and projecting nets for wildlife capture, euthanizing injured or sick wildlife, killing or hazing nuisance animals or birds, collecting animals for research or other studies, and protection from dangerous animals in close quarters.
This position requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, and does not exceed forty (40) hours in a workweek.
Work exceeding 40 hours per week requires prior approval by the supervisor.
This position requires Hazardous Waste Operations Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training certification to respond to hazardous material spill events.
On your application, be sure to indicate your job description if you have this certification or a copy of your certification can be attached.
If the selected applicant does not possess this certification, they must obtain it within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.
This position requires a current First Aid and CPR card.
The employee in this position will be able to take a certified ODFW provided training to obtain their card if they do not already possess one.
The duties of this position may include the use of a SPOTS card for work-related purchases as a benefit to the agency.
Criminal Records/DMV Check Applicants are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check.
Driving is required for all positions.
Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current certified driving record for review to be considered for the position.
Be prepared to obtain as soon as possible.
You are expected to provide the out-of-state certified driving record before an offer can be made unless extenuating circumstances exist.
Adverse background and/or driving information may disqualify you from further consideration.
NOTE: Within three-days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.
S.
Department Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
ODFW participates in E-Verify.
ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.
We are seeking applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have the following skills and experience: Minimum Qualifications: Two years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program that included one year of at least two of the following: gathering data, analyzing data, or preparing reports, and a Bachelor's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely related Bachelor’s degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological coursework; or three additional years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program; OR One year biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program that included at least two of the following: gathering data, analyzing data, or preparing reports, and a Master's degree Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely related Master’s degree in biological/ecological sciences; OR A Doctorate degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely related Doctorate degree in biological/ecological sciences.
Applicants who have obtained a Master’s degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience.
The Master’s degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately, and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.
Requested Skills: Experience conducting wildlife surveys.
Demonstrated problem solving ability.
Demonstrated professional level communication skills.
Ability to communicate verbally and in writing to a diverse audience.
Practical experience working outdoors and problem solving when things don’t go according to plan, most importantly in remote field settings where assistance may not be available.
Additional Information: Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the "Job History" section in your application or you may not be considered for this position.
Resumes will not replace the completed "Job History" section in your online application.
You may be disqualified if your experience listed in the “Job History” section does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions.
If any of the positions listed in your application are part time or seasonal, be sure to include the dates you worked (month and year) and the average amount of hours worked per week in the duties section.
Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.
Note: You will be required to provide a copy of your official or unofficial transcripts (online transcripts are acceptable) during the selection process that show your name, the name/address of the institution, coursework with passing grades, and degree conferred (including date), if you are using education to qualify.
Transcripts and cover letters can be attached to your application in the Resume/CV/Cover Letter attachments field when you apply.
Cover letters may not be reviewed unless it is stated as a requirement in the job posting.
For helpful tips on filling out your job history, responding to the supplemental questions, and submitting your application, click here Internal Applicants: The contact information that is prefilled on your application is typically your work email and work phone number.
Be sure to check your state email and Workday notifications for your status regarding the recruitment process.
If you are away from the office or unable to check your state email account for an extended period, contact the HR Recruitment Unit and the hiring manager to let them know your personal email and phone number where you can be contacted.
This will help to ensure you do not miss out on any correspondence that may be related to an interview.
If you apply for a position as an internal applicant and then terminate while the recruitment is still in process, contact the Recruitment Unit to have your contact information updated.
External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application.
Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting.
The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date.
After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal.
These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.
If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.
This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.
The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement.
Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.
Veterans - If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans' preference points will be added to your score.
For more information on veterans' preference points visit www.
oregonjobs.
org and select Veterans resources under Resources.
Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.
Find information on State of Oregon benefits More information about our agency can be found on our social media accounts and at myodfw.
com and https://www.
dfw.
state.
or.
us/ If you are passionate about natural resources, we invite you to join our team and assist with furthering ODFW’s mission by partnering with communities and sharing how our work has a positive effect on Oregon’s fish, wildlife and their habitats.
ODFW is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce as we strive to represent and better serve our neighboring communities.
Our most important asset is our employees, and each person brings unique, different, and important contributions to the workplace and community we serve.
With Oregon’s changing demographics, a workforce that reflects this change will make us stronger and create an opportunity for better decision making.
Consider joining our team as we lead ODFW into the future! The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer