Position Description and Application Information
Natural Resource Specialist 1 (Wildlife Biologist)
Initial Posting Date: 10/31/2023
Application Deadline: 11/14/2023
Agency: Department of Fish and Wildlife
Salary Range: $3,546 - $5,396
Position Type: Employee
Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist 1 (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 permanent, full-time position is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) located in Heppner.
What you will do:
- Conducts district big game, waterfowl, upland game bird, and non-game census, composition, production, and monitoring ground and aerial surveys using ODFW protocols and forms. Compiles data and analyzes information for management decisions. Properly identifies sex, age, and species of big game upland game, waterfowl, and non-game wildlife. Collect teeth, reproductive tracts, and other tissue samples consistent with ODFW safety and collection protocols as assigned. Label samples and record needed information as directed. Write grant applications for funding for wildlife research and surveys.
- Promptly respond to and document damage wildlife complaints. Works with landowner and APHIS, and consults with District or Asst. Dist. biologist to recommend, develop, and implement damage strategy. As necessary, controls or euthanizes an animal consistent with ODFW protocols. Inventory and maintain hazing and fencing supplies. Updates and maintains district wildlife damage database, summarize and analyze for district and wildlife division reports. Issues damage tags to landowners experiencing crop damage. Investigate suspected wolf-livestock depredation to determine if a wolf killed the livestock, which could lead to lethal removal of that wolf or wolves. Write investigation report & coordinate with wolf program.
- Use GIS or other mapping software to document data. Estimate population sizes with the tuning and manipulation of modeling programs. Develop hunt and tag recommendations based on modeling and harvest data analysis for inclusion in the district hunt packet delivered to the Wildlife Division. Capture bear, waterfowl, elk, deer, antelope, turkey and other animals as needed, using a variety of techniques, including immobilization drugs, drive traps, etc. for tagging, marking, disease sampling, and/or relocation.
- Run all aspects of the District UCAP and Open Fields hunt programs including: Negotiating leases with new landowners enrolled in the program. Working with landowners to resolve issues or complaints regarding program implementation. Prepares and submits applications for funding under the guidance of the District Wildlife Biologist. Completes payments and reports at end of each hunt year. Provide posting and/or signs for lands and/or landowners. Patrol the hunt areas during the appropriate seasons to ensure compliance by the public. Gather harvest data from hunters using the various hunt areas.
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
- Works outdoors 60% of the time, sometimes in inclement weather and rugged terrain. Includes some cross-country foot travel (10%) ATV operation to reach remote sites (10%), passenger in aircraft (5%), but usually travel is by 4wd vehicles on surfaced and unimproved roads. Field work commonly includes equipment operation and lifting of materials and tools.
- Dealings with public, local residents, landowners and other agency personnel are frequent. These contacts can involve sensitive information and emotionally charged issues. A well-developed sense of diplomacy, professionalism, tact, and listening skills are required.
- 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 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/. 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. If the selected applicant does not possess this certification, they must obtain it within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.
- The duties of this position may include the use of a SPOTS Card for work-related purchases as a benefit to the agency.
- 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.
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.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 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 years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program.
Requested Skills:
- Knowledge of plant communities, plant species, noxious weeds, and animal species comprising the wildlife populations in eastern Oregon.
- Awareness of the sensitivity of working on and around private lands; and ability to work with private landowners on a variety of sensitive issues and topics
- Knowledge of GIS programs and how to build geographical representations of data are necessary for the position to prepare products for both internal and external customers.
Additional Information:
Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by your resume or the "Job History" section in your application or you may not be considered for this position. You may be disqualified if your experience listed in your resume or 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
