JOB TITLE: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION EDUCATION SPECIALIST, GAME COMMISSION

JOB CODE: 64510

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Wildlife Conservation Education job series describes work in the development and implementation of wildlife conservation education programs within the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

DEFINITION: This is specialized information and education work in the development and implementation of wildlife conservation education programs to promote public understanding of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s functions, objectives and accomplishments.

An employee in this job plans, develops, and implements wildlife conservation education programs, on a statewide basis, for use by the Agency. Work includes providing in-service training for field personnel engaged in wildlife conservation education programs; and creating content for audio, video, or printed media to increase the public’s understanding of the work the agency does and to further its mission. An employee in this job may supervise a small staff of subordinates engaged in wildlife conservation education activities. Assignments are received in the form of general instruction and are performed with considerable independence. Work is reviewed by a professional supervisor, upon completion, through conferences, an analysis of written reports, and effectiveness of the conservation education program.

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.):

• Plans, develops, and implements wildlife conservation education programs and materials.

• Edits and produces audio and video packages for use on website and social media platforms.

• Captures high-quality photographs of agency personnel and Pennsylvania wildlife, and maintains a photo library for use upon request by the agency and other outside organizations.

• Coordinates, manages, and enhances the promotion of wildlife conservation education programs by conferring with educational, conservation, civic, agricultural youth, and outdoor sports groups.

• Supervises and participates in the preparation of films, DVDs, PowerPoint presentations, photography, videography, displays, slides, and other visual aids.

• Plans and participates in conservation education programs for radio, classroom, internet, and television presentation.

• Participates in the development of educational media and programs for statewide use.

• Plans, supervises, and maintains wildlife conservation exhibits and cooperates with various museums in developing exhibit programs.

• Plans, assigns, and directs subordinate personnel in conducting wildlife conservation education programs.

• Prepares speech outlines and other materials for public presentation by field personnel.

• Maintains close liaison with other state and federal conservation agencies and with the Pennsylvania Department of Education to promote, develop, and conduct wildlife conservation education courses.

• Develops and updates educational curriculum related to basic or advanced hunting, trapping, and shooting sports courses.

• Participates in outreach programs designed to recruit, reactivate, or retain hunters and trappers.

• Acts as a facilitator for field personnel, public school administrators, and other instructors in conservation education programs and techniques.

• Recruits and trains new facilitators.

• Organizes facilitator workshops to educate facilitators on changes to laws and policies that would impact the implementation of wildlife educational programs.

• Develops story ideas, researches topics, and gathers historical content to draft or edit publications on social media and in books, brochures, reports and magazines

• Creates educational kits for use when speaking with various educational groups or training facilitators.

• Develops shot lists and schedules, travels afield to obtain those shots, and researches and develops the story treatment for various wildlife videography and photography projects.

• Writes applications for educational grants and administers awarded grants in compliance with federal regulations.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of game conservation and management.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of wildlife conservation education.

• Knowledge of basic computer operating principles and common software sufficient to input, manipulate, monitor, and control wildlife programs, data, and information.

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

• Knowledge of public relations techniques and tools, such as videos, print, and social media platforms.

• Ability to write and edit forms of informational and educational materials for films, course outlines, publications, and exhibits.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These are not used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.):

• Ability to train subordinate personnel and other educators in the techniques used to conduct conservation education programs as related to the specialty practiced.

• Ability to plan, assign, evaluate, and direct the work of staff.

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

• Two years of professional experience in the development and implementation of conservation education programs; and a bachelor’s degree with course work in wildlife management, journalism, communications, or a closely related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.