Montana Jobs

/THEOUTSIDEIS IN US ALL./ Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement. * Resume * Cover Letter Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume.This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on January 29, 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site. * * Special Information: Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. 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 EmployeeBeneficiaryAssociation). A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply. The Location: The Deer Lodge biologist's responsibility area includes deer/elk hunting districts 215, 217, 291, 293, and 213 (north portion) and includes responsibility for mule deer across the Clark Fork face of HD 292. The biologist will be the lead for pronghorn management and monitoring in the Upper Clark Fork. The area of responsibility includes the communities of Deer Lodge, Drummond, Elliston, and Avon. The responsibility area includes a diverse mix of private and public lands, including numerous working cattle ranches, and portions of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Helena National Forests. The Role: The biologist is expected to develop strong working relationships with landowners, stakeholder groups, city governments, local conservation non-government organizations, industry, and government agencies (e.g., BLM, DNRC, USFS, and USFWS). Building and fostering these relationships will be critical to the responsibilities of managing a diverse suite of wildlife-related issues: game damage issues on private property, emerging wildlife disease management issues (i.e. Chronic Wasting Disease), grazing leases on FWP property, serving as FWP's representative for the Spotted Dog Work Group, and representing FWP on collaborative habitat projects with partner land management agencies. This position also includes monitoring duties for conservation easements in the Helmville valley of HD 298, in addition to those within the main responsibility area. The biologist serves as the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) manager on more than 39,000 acres of FWP lands on two WMAs: Spotted Dog and Nevada Lake. Management of WMAs includes serving as the lead on habitat improvement projects (e.g., forestry, prescribed fire, grazing leases, noxious weed management), infrastructure maintenance and improvement (e.g., roads, buildings, irrigation, etc.), hunting and trapping seasons, and public access issues. Teamwork is important to this position, as effective WMA management involves close collaborative work with enforcement, maintenance, forestry, habitat, fisheries, parks, and outdoor recreation staff. Annual wildlife surveys, include but are not limited to, aerial elk surveys in the winter, aerial mule deer surveys in the winter and spring, aerial pronghorn surveys in the summer, aerial bighorn sheep surveys in the spring, and mountain grouse surveys. The biologist may assist or be responsible for running a game check station for up to 6 weekends during the general rifle hunting season every year and overseeing student volunteers at the check station. The biologist works closely with the non-game and forbearer biologists and contributes to the annual monitoring efforts for the forbearer and non-game programs. Biologists are responsible for inspection and sealing of harvested species annually to include wolves, mountain lions, black bears, and numerous furbearer species. Physical and Environmental Demands: Survey, capture, and handling methods frequently involve stressful and dangerous situations. Surveys require use of low-level fixed wing and helicopter flights in mountain valley, foothill, and high mountain habitats at low altitudes in hazardous flying conditions and sitting in confined spaces with exposure to high noise levels. Capturing and handling big game animals involves the use of controlled substances and potentially lethal immobilization chemicals and handling big game animals such as deer, elk, bears, lions, moose, and sheep. Work schedules are variable including weekend and nights when necessary, requiring the wildlife biologist to exhibit flexibility in daily, weekly, and annual work schedules. Self-motivation is an important part of this position. Heavy lifting, up to 40lbs., and the ability to work in remote and difficult terrain is necessary under varying and occasionally extreme weather conditions. Travel via 4-wheel drive, ATV and snow machines is a necessary aspect of this position. Job Duties: The Wildlife Biologist is responsible for the implementation of the Department's wildlife management program, including the State Wildlife Action Plan, in their assigned work area in region 2. This includes developing and implementing adaptive wildlife and habitat management strategies; preparing wildlife management recommendations including hunting season regulations; working with various private landowners, various government agencies, other organizations and stakeholders to increase public enjoyment of natural resources; represent the Department on wildlife, habitat and access management matters; and maintain proficiency of a professional wildlife scientist. This is accomplished by: designing and conducting ground and aerial field investigations and surveys; recording and analyzing survey data, species information statistical models and data from Department databases; formulating management strategies and plans that benefit wildlife populations and habitats; obtaining public support for proposals and submitting proposals through a public process which are often highly visible and controversial, involving the entire spectrum of interests and stakeholders in wildlife conservation issues; identify habitat conservation and access needs; utilize population models to predict adaptive harvest and changing environmental factors influencing wildlife conservation; establish hunter check stations and collect pertinent biological data to assist in evaluating population trends and status; respond to wildlife damage complaints following legal statutes and department policies; collaborate with Department staff to design, implement and interpret findings of wildlife and wildlife habitat related studies to further understanding and management of specific species; oversee and conduct habitat maintenance and improvement projects on department Wildlife Management areas; work with land management agency staff to identify and improve habitat management plans and actions on public lands; demonstrate the ability to safely capture, restrain and immobilize a variety of wildlife species; provide data and information to mitigate habitat development on private and public lands, maintain professional status through literature review and trainings, present findings and information to public and scientific audiences at various settings; and develop and maintain working relationships with Department staff, other agency staff, and the public to foster communication, cooperation and collaboration on projects. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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 important. 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 skills in conflict management and collaborative problem solving. Patience and persistence are necessary traits. Leadership, 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 important. Minimum Qualifications: The knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties of this position are usually acquired through a master’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology, Range Management, Zoology, or Fish and Wildlife Management, Biology or a closely related biological field including completion of a field research project presented in a successfully defended thesis. Equivalent experience is defined as five (5) years of progressively responsible experience as a wildlife biologist or senior wildlife technician, in addition to successful completion of a research effort that includes: 1. Literature review and development of a problem statement and or hypothesis for a particular issue. 2. Development of a detailed study plan or sampling protocol for a field-oriented project based on the above-noted hypothesis. 3. Data collection and the effective management of data with an appropriate application. 4. Interpretation and analysis of data, including a quantitative assessment of that information. 5. Completion of a final report in a peer-reviewed publication or a publication comparable to a refereed journal. 6. If appropriate to the project, formulation of any recommended changes in management prescriptions or actions. 7. Oral presentation on results of investigation to agency staff and public audiences. Title: Wildlife Management Biologist Location: Deer Lodge Requisition ID: 24143362

Montana Jobs