Position Description

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING
Position Number: 50386311	Description Activated On: 7/7/2026 12:49:38 PM

Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively.

This position is responsible for the statewide development and implementation of the Bureau of Forestry’s wildlife management program. This responsibility includes formulation of statewide wildlife policies and plans, evaluation of wildlife research & monitoring, and coordination of wildlife conservation and habitat management actions across all state forest lands. This also includes the statewide responsibility for managing the Bureau of Forestry’s Deer Management Assistance Program, which involves the coordination of vegetation impact monitoring protocols to inform landscape-level decision-making regarding the allocation of additional white-tailed deer harvest permits on state forest lands.

This position also serves on the Bureau of Forestry’s inter-disciplinary Shale Gas Monitoring Team. Staff on this team work collaboratively to monitor for potential impacts to ecological resources, state forest infrastructure, and visitor use experience resulting from Marcellus shale development and similar management activities on state forest land.
This position is also responsible for coordinating landscape-level projects on State Forest lands statewide. This involves planning and coordinating silvicultural or wildlife habitat projects with Field Offices and other conservation partners. This also includes seeking out funding opportunities for non-commercial habitat projects, aiding Minerals Program staff and Field Offices in reviewing abandoned mine lands restoration projects, and evaluating potential impacts to proposed energy development projects on state forest lands.

This position also provides ecological expertise to the Department, State Forester’s Office, Bureau Field Offices, other Bureau Divisions/Programs, and the public in regards to evaluating plans for wildlife habitat on a statewide or regional level; assessing forestry management for impacts to wildlife habitat and improving those operations; as well as training staff and the public on the importance of wildlife best management practices in forested landscapes.

Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor.

DUTY 1: Coordinates and promotes a comprehensive statewide program for white-tailed deer on state forest lands, which involves managing the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) including a monitoring protocol and data management
TASKS:
1. Develops, recommends, implements and coordinates the statewide DMAP on state forest lands.
2. Utilize and promotes the current Vegetation Impact Protocol (VIP) to monitor vegetation impacts from deer statewide.
3. Works with the Bureau’s biometrician to assist in maintaining the VIP database and utilizing VIP data and other objectives to determine where DMAP should be implemented on State Forest lands.
4. Works on a continuing basis with Bureau staff to evaluate VIP data and DMAP results to achieve DMAP goals and objectives on State Forest lands.
5. Coordinates internal DMAP Committee Meetings, VIP protocol training for Bureau staff and presents DMAP results to Bureau staff, external stakeholders and the public.
6. Acts as a liaison with the Pennsylvania Game Commission Deer Team, Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force, and other relevant meetings or groups when necessary.
7. Identifies and coordinates research on state forest land regarding deer and forest management.
8. Reviews proposed legislation concerning deer, hunting, diseases, and DMAP for possible impact on the program or state forest land.
9. Coordinates Bureau input to Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissions seasons and bag limits hearings.

DUTY 2: Provide assistance with the management, maintenance, and development of the goals and objectives for the successful management of wildlife species and their habitats on forested lands throughout the Commonwealth.
TASKS:
1. Develops and implements statewide/regional plans, where necessary, to meet the recommended goals and objectives
2. Identifies problems/conflicts between specific goals and other resources activities and coordinate efforts to resolve these conflicts.
3. Develops plans in conjunction with the districts for appropriate Special Management Areas on State Forest lands where the management strategies deviate from the norm to benefit a particular species, group of species, or unique ecosystem or habitat (i.e., State Wildlife Action Plan species).
4. Trains Bureau staff on practices that benefit wildlife and improve wildlife habitat diversity, particularly common game species and those species discussed in the State Wildlife Action Plan.
5. Monitors progress toward achievement of those goals and objectives and recommends modifications as appropriate.
6. Keeps up to date with new habitat management techniques and determines applicability on state forest lands.
7. Develop plans and protocols for ecological assessments, field surveys, and inventories when work will support or enhance the creation of statewide plans.

Duty 3: Coordinate landscape-level wildlife habitat projects on State Forest lands and assist in evaluating opportunities for partnerships to complete landscape-scale restoration.
TASKS
1. Assists with the development of various Bureau-wide planning efforts including State Forest Resource Management Plans, Habitat Conservation Plans, strategic plans, species conservation plans, best management practices, district-wide management plans and operational plans regarding wildlife and other ecological topics.
2. Develops working relationships on activities relating to forest certification, restoration, oil and gas best management practices, wildlife monitoring techniques and verification of any new locations of threatened or endangered animals and habitats.
3. Aid program staff and Field Offices in reviewing abandoned mine lands restoration projects and provide technical assistance regarding wildlife habitat best management practices.
4. Aid program staff and Field Offices in evaluating potential impacts to wildlife or wildlife habitat due to proposed energy development projects on state forest lands. Work collaboratively to establish and evaluate best management practices.
5. Coordinates grant and other funding opportunities for landscape-level wildlife habitat and restoration projects with conservation partners and conservation agencies.

Duty 4: Review management activities on State Forest lands for impacts to wildlife and their habitats prior to PNDI submission. Liaison between jurisdictional agencies and forest districts when necessary.
TASKS
1. Stays knowledgeable and up to date on PNDI/PACE, Conservation Opportunity Areas Tool, Bat Habitat Conservation Plan, and other environmental review tools.
2. Conducts agency coordination for proposed projects (e.g., timber sales, new trails, and gas activities) on Bureau of Forestry lands concerning wildlife species of special concern and game species as needed.
3. Works closely with the district offices providing guidance and suggestions on ways to limit impacts.
4. Conducts field assessments and develops siting criteria for species of special concern, and ecologically significant habitats with appropriate agencies when necessary.
5. Writes field reports following each field assessment.

Duty 5. Provide wildlife and ecological expertise to the Bureau of Forestry’s Shale Gas Monitoring Team.
Tasks:
1. Work closely with other members of the Shale Gas Monitoring Team to develop and carry out monitoring protocols and methods.
2. When appropriate, evaluate and update the inventory and/or wildlife sampling & monitoring objectives and protocols.
3. Conduct fieldwork and coordinate with the Gas Monitoring Program Assistant Manager to provide oversight of field staff while carrying out protocols developed for monitoring wildlife on state forest lands.
4. Coordinate with outside researchers and compile relevant data.
5. Report on outcomes for the wildlife section of the Bureau of Forestry Monitoring Report.
6. Provide guidance on adaptive management for wildlife on state forest lands, based on monitoring outcomes.

Duty 6. Provide technical guidance and outreach on a statewide level regarding wildlife ecology, adaptive forest management projects and other ecological management topics, to state land managers, foresters, DCNR planners and policy makers, and private landowners.
Tasks:
1. Establish working relationships with the PA Natural Heritage Program, PA Fish and Boat Commission, PA Game Commission, US Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners such as researchers and conservation groups.
2. Attends appropriate meetings (including Commissioners meetings), training programs and conferences to present findings, garner technical assistance, and stay abreast of emerging issues and management techniques relevant to wildlife, wildlife habitat creation, and ecological monitoring within the Commonwealth.
3. Where appropriate, present to interested organizations, such as landowner associations, county conservation groups on the Bureau of Forestry’s role in wildlife ecology and conservation.
4. Coordinate with partners in developing necessary educational brochures and web content on ecology and wildlife conservation.
5. Reviews agency website to ensure wildlife and ecology content is valid and consistent with communication policies
6. Prepares articles and reports as needed regarding wildlife habitat management activities of the Bureau of Forestry.
7. Present to interested public stakeholders and partner organizations regarding wildlife, wildlife habitat management, and forest conservation.

Duty 7: Other duties as assigned.

Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature.

This position is within the Ecological Services Section, which is responsible for advancing the ecosystem management goals of the Bureau of Forestry. This position will coordinate ecological fieldwork, develop wildlife program activities and review goals and management plans periodically with the Section, their supervisor, field offices, and State Forester’s office. Program priorities are set in consultation with the Section, their supervisor, field offices, and State Forester’s office.

Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License

Experience:

Licenses, registrations, or certifications:

1.   Class C Driver's License

2.   N/A

3.   N/A

4.

5.

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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.

1.	Plan, develop, and implement a statewide program.
2.	Familiarity with PA wildlife, both common and rare, ability to identify them and familiar with their ecological needs.
3.	Familiarity with PA plant species, both common and rare, ability to identify them and familiar with their ecological needs.
4.	Supply technical information & advice pertaining to wildlife, landscape ecology, and wildlife habitat management.
5.	Represent the Department and Bureau regarding wildlife, landscape ecology, and wildlife habitat management.
6.	Ability to carry and lift up to 30lbs of field equipment and conduct field visits in rigorous conditions.
7.	Communicate well orally and in written form, preparing relevant presentations, articles, protocols, reports, etc.
8.	Plan/schedule/develop individual and team work activities and coordinate effectively with others.
9.	Travel, mostly within Pennsylvania, both during work days and sometimes overnight.
10.