01/02/2008 62140

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM CHIEF

DEFINITION: This is professional and managerial work directing statewide wildlife management and conservation programs for a division within the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

An employee in this job serves as a division chief and is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating a major statewide wildlife management and conservation program. Work involves developing program goals, objectives and priorities and evaluating program effectiveness of statewide wildlife management and conservation programs; developing, recommending and implementing wildlife management and conservation rules, regulations, procedures and policies; interpreting technical rules, regulations and procedures for subordinates, field personnel and the public; ensuring compliance with agency and bureau goals; developing and managing program budgets; and recommending legislative changes regarding wildlife management and conservation program activities. Work also involves providing technical assistance on wildlife management and conservation issues; preparing technical papers on wildlife management and conservation topics; and providing expert testimony at commission meeting, legislative committee hearings and court proceedings. An employee in this job may serve as an assistant director and assist in preparing the Bureau’s budget; developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Bureau goals and objectives; and developing administrative policies, procedures, and plans for Bureau operations. Supervision is exercised over professional supervisory staff. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Bureau Director and is reviewed for adherence to regulations, laws, policies, established goals and objectives and desired results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Directs the development and implementation of statewide and regional wildlife management and conservation programs including game and furbearer population monitoring and harvest management programs; endangered, threatened and non-hunted species population monitoring and restorations programs; or wildlife health monitoring and disease response, wildlife research and statistical analysis, and pheasant propagation programs.

Develops, implements and evaluates technical wildlife management program goals, objectives and strategies.

Directs the preparation, review, approval and implementation of long-range wildlife species management plans.

Directs the development and implementation of technical program rules and procedures and evaluates compliance.

Evaluates program implementation at staff and region levels to determine effectiveness and recommends appropriate remediation.

Reviews and analyzes technical reports and correspondence to determine work quantity and quality as well as adherence to program goals and objectives.

Recommends changes in laws, policies, and regulations affecting wildlife management programs.

Develops and manages the program budget and ensures program activities and expenditures are consistent with approved budgetary items.

Prepares agenda items for Commission action to promulgate regulations and establish policy.

Advises and confers with government agencies, conservation groups, sportsmen organizations, and the public on wildlife management and conservation matters.

Coordinates and administers large-scale wildlife management and conservation projects in conjunction with the federal Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid-in-Wildlife Restoration Program.

Prepares proposals and documents to obtain grant monies.

Coordinates program activities with other agency programs and other state and Federal agencies.

Speaks before various groups such as sportsmen and conservation organizations, schools, civic clubs and professional organizations.

Provides expert testimony at various hearings, administrative and legal proceedings on wildlife management and conservation matters.

Represents the agency and wildlife management and conservation program on state, regional, and national committees and task forces.

Assists in preparing the Bureau budget and recommends whether to approve or disapprove expenditures at the program level.

Determines training needs and coordinates training for Division personnel.

Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organization requirement.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of wildlife biology theory including mammalogy, ornithology, and applied terrestrial ecology.

Knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques of wildlife management including wildlife population assessment and wildlife habitat management.

Knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques of game bird propagation.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of wildlife biological research and associated techniques.

Knowledge of sampling, statistical analysis methods, and data handling and analysis methods unique to wildlife management, such as home range analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, MARK, and nest survival (Mayfield Test).

Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

Ability to read, analyze and interpret scientific data and reports.

Ability to write technical reports for a variety of audiences.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years experience as a Wildlife Biologist 3;

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Five years of experience in the development and evaluation of a wildlife management program that includes two years of supervisory experience; and a master's degree in Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Wildlife Science, or a closely related wildlife science degree;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of experience supervising staff responsible for the development and evaluation of a wildlife management program.