The incumbent conducts integrated wildlife damage management activities where there is a demonstrated need, consistent with the planned use of any given area to prevent or reduce losses to property, agriculture, and natural resources, or to protect human health and safety. Management techniques and/or methods include the recommendation or use of pesticides, controlled substances, pyrotechnics, firearms, binary explosives, aversive agents, auditory devices, exclusion, habitat modification, trapping, and other mechanical or environmental controls.
May perform a variety of technical procedures including capture, restraint, chemical immobilization, marking, transport, euthanasia, and/or necropsy of wildlife; collection, storage, and safe transport of biological data and samples; telemetry; GIS; GPS; population census and survey; and surveillance and monitoring; gathering, compiling, and analyzing data to facilitate statistical analyses.
May be required to take extensive training and recurrent training on wildlife damage or disease recognition, control methods, and techniques: monitoring and surveillance procedures; emergency response; coalition building; risk communication; and other training related to technical or administrative aspects of the job.
Modifies or adapts established damage or disease control techniques as necessary to meet local conditions and address specific environmental, economic, or political considerations.
Monitors and ensures compliance with program directives, and local, State, and Federal laws and regulations in wildlife damage management activities. Assists cooperators in understanding of and compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and other wildlife-related laws.
Through supervisor and with assistance from the WS National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) staff, develops and maintains categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, monitoring reports, and other documents required by NEPA. Prepares required scientific and administrative programs reports. Assists cooperators and the public with obtaining migratory bird depredation permits and compliance with Depredation Orders.
Gathers, compiles, evaluates, and presents data on damage or hazards caused by various wildlife species to cooperators, stakeholders, and colleagues through project or program reports and presentations at cooperator, stakeholder, and public meetings and professional conferences.
Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other Federal, State, county and city government agencies, Tribes, corporations, educational or research institutions, and individuals in meeting program needs and goals. Represents the WS program on committees and task forces, and at meetings, conferences, and workshops with these groups. May negotiate or participate in the negotiation, development, and monitoring of agreements, such as cooperative service agreements with work/financial plans, to initiate or maintain cooperative wildlife damage management projects.
Provides technical assistance to a variety of cooperators, along with conducting site visits or assessments to identify wildlife damage issues or threats. May develop and deliver training for cooperators, stakeholders, partner agencies and organizations, or other entities.
Communicates safe and effective damage management techniques through outreach and other channels to the general public. Information may be disseminated by radio and television news releases, interviews, bulletins, presentations, workshops, outreach events, and other methods.
Recommends, to supervisors, areas for potential research or developmental study. May assist with research projects to increase knowledge of wildlife ecology and to develop or improve methods to reduce the risks of damage to resources or disease transmission to domestic animals and humans.
Supports WS’ safety program and procedures through participation in meetings, inspections, safety-related training, and implementation of safety requirements and protocols. Identifies safety-related opportunities and challenges to the supervisor.
Obtains and maintains pesticide applicator licenses, permits, or other authorizations, and may be required to assist with pesticide or other use/certification training in cooperation with State agencies and land grant universities. Complete pesticide use reports and documents reported and known pesticide impacts on other resources.
Assists other WS employees as requested and may assist in training new WS personnel. May be asked to provide technical direction and/or guidance to lower graded employees.
May be responsible for procuring equipment and supplies necessary to conduct field activities and may be asked to complete other duties as assigned.