Regional Wildlife Habitat Biologist - Farm Bill/Private Lands

Description

Idaho Department of Fish and Game Opportunity

Please note: Applications will be accepted through 4:59 p.m. MST on the posting end date.

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking to fill an opening for Regional Wildlife Biologist – Farm Bill/Private Lands at our Clearwater Regional office in Lewiston.

Our Regional Wildlife Biologists are the stewards of Idaho's wildlife, who along with their passion for the outdoors, use their education and experience to help further our commitment to ensuring the future of Idaho's wildlife. We are responsible for preserving, protecting, perpetuating, and managing Idaho's wildlife resources.

Why IDFG? We are a premier natural resource agency dedicated to preserving, protecting, perpetuating, and managing Idaho's fish and wildlife for this great state. We are committed to creativity, innovation, and excellence as we cultivate opportunities for our customers to engage with our natural resources and become resource stewards for future generations. We are highly dedicated to our mission, committed to our team, and we know how to balance work/life commitments while loving the work we do. 

What We Offer: 

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance - employee only coverage for PPO $65/month for medical and vision & $11.80/month for dental
• Participation in one of the Nation's best state retirement systems
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual that begins as soon as you start (accumulate approximately 3 weeks of vacation the first year, and increasing with state longevity)
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Multiple saving plans-optional 401k and 457 plans 
• Group Life Insurance/Disability Insurance/Supplemental Life Insurance - state provided basic life insurance coverage and affordable supplemental plans 
• Public Sector Student Loan Forgiveness (eligibility requirements may apply)
• Employee Assistance Program - confidential support, information, and resources for all of life's challenges
• State and Department Wellness Programs 
• Ongoing training opportunities 
• Potential flexible work schedule 

General Information:

• Please Note: A NRCS background/security check is a requirement of the successful candidate for this position. This background check will be completed within the first three months of hiring.
• This announcement will be used to fill the current opening for Regional Wildlife Biologist - Farm Bill/Private Lands in Lewiston only. If you have applied for any other posted or previously posted announcements for Regional Wildlife Biologist and you would like to be considered for this current Regional Wildlife Biologist - Farm Bill/Private Lands in Lewiston, you will need to apply to this announcement. Applications received under any other announcement for Regional Wildlife Biologist will not be considered.
• Work will be split between two offices, Idaho Department of Fish and Game's (IDFG) regional office and several Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offices in the region. The position is expected to split time between working with farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners to enhance wildlife habitat on private lands throughout the Region with occasional work in other Regions. Primary duties will include outreach, plan development and monitoring of the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) as well as working with federal and NGO partners to implement projects benefiting upland game birds, deer, and elk on private land.
• Regional Wildlife Biologists may be required to ride in fixed-wing and rotary wing aircraft. These positions involve walking and backpacking for several hours, operating trail bikes, and riding horses in rugged terrain; handling unsedated wild animals; working in extreme weather conditions; and lifting and carrying up to 65 pounds with or without accommodations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develops relationships with private landowners, writes plans, designs, and implements projects on private lands.
• Work with USDA partners to implement federal Farm Bill programs for the benefit of wildlife and public recreation.
• Works with regional staff to implement big game, upland game, waterfowl, furbearer, nongame, and habitat management programs.
• Works with others to implement priority strategies and actions identified in Idaho's State Wildlife Action Plan.

General Responsibilities:

• May oversee and train employees in collecting wildlife population & habitat data.
• Participates in conducting public meetings and hearings on habitat projects and wildlife regulations.
• Designs and implements wildlife population & habitat data collection programs.
• Responds to complaints concerning wildlife depredation.
• Conducts public outreach activities.

Minimum Qualifications: (These qualifications are required.)

Please note: To minimally qualify for these positions, a candidate must have completed a master degree in wildlife management or closely related field OR completion of upper division coursework that resulted in a bachelor degree in wildlife management or a closely related field that includes courses in zoology, wildlife management techniques, wildlife habitat relationships, population dynamics and wildlife behavior AND professional field work equivalent to that received in a master degree program in wildlife management (typically two years).

• Incumbents must be willing to participate in and to instruct hunting activities.
• Some knowledge of forest management, range management, or agricultural wildlife habitat. (Typically gained by two college-level courses in range or forest ecosystems/management of agricultural wildlife habitats.)
• Experience developing, evaluating, or implementing management plans or development plans, hunting regulations or species management plans. (Typically gained by experience evaluating, implementing, or developing management plans or projects for wildlife populations and/or habitats (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act documents, habitat development plans, hunting seasons and regulations, or wildlife species management plans. Experience as a team member in this area is acceptable.)
• Good knowledge of the ecology, habitat requirements, taxonomy, and population dynamics of wildlife. (Typically gained by completion of a Master's degree in Wildlife Management or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, OR successful completion of upper-division college coursework leading to a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management that includes courses in zoology, wildlife management techniques, wildlife habitat relationships, population dynamics, and wildlife behavior from an accredited college or university, plus at least two years of professional field work in wildlife management.)
• Experience conducting wildlife field research to include the design, collection, and analysis of wildlife data, writing a report of findings, and giving an oral presentation of project results. (Typically gained by work experience designing, gathering, and analyzing wildlife data where the experience is limited to only one species or habitat. Field research in a wildlife management-related master's degree program is typical at this level.)
• A valid driver's license.

The ideal candidate for the current opening will have experience working with private landowners or grazing leasees on habitat improvement projects and/or experience with Federal Farm Bill programs. Candidates who have such experience may be given additional consideration during interviews for the current opening in Lewiston. Please be sure to include any relevant experience that you have within your application material that you submit.

To learn more about the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, please see the following:

• (Video) Idaho Fish and Game - We Make It Happen

Thank you for applying with us!

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Idaho Department of Fish and Game
P.O. Box 25
Boise, Idaho 83707

WEBSITE:

https://idfg.idaho.gov/

If you have questions,
please contact us at:

EMAIL:

[email protected]

PHONE:

(208) 334-3773

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.