JOB TITLE: WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST 2

JOB CODE: 62120

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Wildlife Biologist series describes professional work in biology, ecology, and species management as applied to wild birds and mammals.

DEFINITION: This is advanced professional wildlife work designing, leading, planning, and conducting research projects related to wild birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates and their habitats.

An employee in this job performs wildlife biology work in research, habitat management, population monitoring, damage mitigation, health monitoring, or impact assessment. Work involves planning, leading, and implementing wildlife research projects; preparing justification, objectives, and procedures for projects on specific species; developing statewide wildlife management plans; collecting, managing, and analyzing field data for field studies, including harvest reports and the impact of habitat manipulation; and preparing project reports and recommendations based on findings. Work includes providing guidance and direction to lower-level employees participating in research projects. Work is assigned in the form of general project instructions. Work is performed independently within established policies and procedures, and is reviewed through reports, direct observation, and conferences.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is distinguished from lower-level jobs by the responsibility for leading statewide wildlife research projects, including developing long-term species management plans for research projects approved by executive leadership.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Designs and conducts wildlife research projects on a statewide basis involving wild bird and wild mammal population surveys, habitat, hunting and trapping impact assessments, health monitoring, and damage management.

• Identifies wildlife habitat needs and develops management plans and processes with landowners, land trusts, conservancies, and land managers to implement wildlife-related state and federal programs and conservation projects on public and private lands.

• Develops informational programs on wildlife species, wildlife management, and wildlife habitat management projects; and conducts related presentations for professional organizations, conservation organizations, landowners, civic groups, schools, and the public.

• Prepares wildlife management reports of findings for publication in scientific and governmental publications.

• Captures, marks, and monitors animals using scientific methods and equipment to support wildlife management programs.

• Conducts surveys and assessments to determine wildlife impacts and prepares mitigation alternatives.

• Develops and maintains wildlife databases and reports in accordance with established work objectives.

• Collects and analyzes data and makes recommendations regarding local and regional wildlife populations, and wildlife habitat conditions for season and bag limits and conservation projects.

• Identifies opportunities and recommends conservation easements; monitors management plan implementation and easement areas.

• Provides direction and guidance to other staff involved in assigned projects.

• Travels to field sites to collect data and conduct surveys.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of wildlife biology and ecology.

• Knowledge of the ecology, life histories, and habitat requirements of wild birds and mammals including knowledge of the flora and fauna requirements to support habitat.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in conducting scientific surveys of wildlife populations and habitats, wildlife damage management, and wildlife diseases.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in wildlife habitat mapping and planning.

• Knowledge of the mathematical, statistical, and analytical methods used in wildlife management.

• Knowledge of the proper use and application of equipment used in wildlife research and management programs.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Suite software.

• Ability to compile, analyze, and interpret wildlife data to prepare reports of findings and wildlife and habitat management plans.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year of experience as a Wildlife Biologist 1 (commonwealth title);

or

• Two years of professional experience conducting wildlife management research and a bachelor’s degree that includes thirty-six college credits in wildlife management, wildlife biology, animal or plant ecology, zoology, botany, or a closely related field, and six college credits in statistics or biometry;

or

• Six years of experience conducting wildlife management research, including two years in a professional capacity, and thirty-six college credits in wildlife management, wildlife biology, animal or plant ecology, zoology, botany, or a closely related field and six college credits in statistics or biometry;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes thirty-six college credits in wildlife management, wildlife biology, zoology, or a closely related field and six college credits in statistics or biometry.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.