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Form of workJob Title: Habitat Program Manager (Wildlife Program Manager)
Job Description
Are you interested in an exciting career opportunity with the Division of Wildlife Resources? If you are, the Southeast Region is currently hiring a Habitat Manager to oversee the Habitat Program that leads and implements habitat restoration work in the region, including the implementation of Utah's Watershed Restoration Program. The manager will also be responsible for overseeing the management of the region's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), supervising the maintenance crew, and overseeing the impact analysis work in the region.
Principal Duties
As the Southeast Region Habitat Manager, you will:
- Supervise the Habitat Assistant Manager, the Impact Analysis Biologist, the Restoration Biologist, two Maintenance Specialists, and a crew of summer seasonals.
- Makes hiring recommendations, delegates assignments, trains new employees, monitors and evaluates performance, and initiates corrective or disciplinary actions when necessary.
- Oversee the management of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the Southeastern Region.
- Lead the habitat restoration work on DWR, State, Federal and private lands in the region
- Partner with federal agencies, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, sportsmen groups, livestock operators, and private landowners to successfully oversee the Watershed Restoration Initiative implementation in the region.
- Work with the Regional Supervisor, Habitat Section Chief and the program coordinators to develop an annual work plan for your regional team to implement.
- Manage the budget for the section in the region.
- Develop and review contracts and cooperative agreements in the region.
- Monitor and lead the effort to provide comments and recommendations to other agencies on actions that might impact wildlife in the region.
- Oversee the maintenance of the guzzler program in the region
- Initiates, coordinates and evaluates projects including planning and conducting biological surveys and research on various wildlife species and habitats to determine population trends, production, mortality and other factors.
- Work with other DWR managers on the regional leadership team and collaborate efforts to effectively serve our constituents and manage wildlife.
- Represent the agency at various meetings and present information.
- Oversee the management of all conservation easements held by DWR in the region.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for this position has:
- A bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management, Wildlife Conservation, Range Management, Biology/Zoology, Ecology, or a closely related field. Preference will be given to applicants with an M.S. degree in wildlife/range/fish ecology or a related field. Up to two years of full-time professional employment in habitat restoration or wildlife & fisheries management may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for graduate study.
- Experience supervising employees
- Successful completion of leadership development classes
- Experience with GIS programs
- Experience developing, proposing, and managing budgets
- Experience with habitat restoration implementation
- Critical thinking skills.
- Experience and knowledge of problem-solving techniques.
Why You Should Join Our Team
The Habitat Manager position is one of the most fulfilling positions in the agency. This position works with the Aquatics, Wildlife, Outreach, and Law Enforcement Sections to enhance and protect wildlife and habitat in southeastern Utah. The position covers the entire southeastern part of the state and works in low desert habitats, high-elevation alpine habitats, and everything in between. It's an opportunity to partner with dozens of groups and agencies and make a difference for wildlife.
Benefits offered to state employees:
Health Insurance- Public Employee Health Program (PEHP):
- 3 medical plan options. Choose a Traditional or High Deductible Health Plan.
- There is an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those who have other medical insurance coverage.
- 5 dental plan options, with an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those that have other dental insurance coverage.
- 4 vision plan options under EyeMed or OptiCare
- Employees who have any service credit with an employer covered by the Utah Retirement Systems before 7/1/2011 are in the Tier I Public Employees System.
- Employees hired on or after 7/1/2011 and who have never been in the URS retirement system have two options for retirement in the Tier II System.
- Tier 2 Hybrid Retirement System. Employer contributes an amount equal to 10% of your salary between both plans (pension and 401(k))
- Tier 2 Defined Contribution Plan. Employer contributes an amount equal to 10% of your salary to a 401(k) plan only.
- Employer contributions to your 401(k) are vested after four years.
- Annual leave and sick leave are accrued at 4 hours per pay period each (4 hours annual, 4 hours sick).
- Annual leave amounts increase with years of service.
- We have 12 paid holidays.
The Division
Click here for more information about the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- A bachelor's degree in wildlife/range management/botany/biology or a closely related field.
- Understanding of the principles, theories and practices of wildlife ecology, behavior, and habitat requirements.
- Sound understanding of botany and range management, and knowledge of range restoration techniques
- Experience planning and implementing habitat restoration projects and reviewing and commenting on Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements.
- Experience working with various partners and organizations.
- Great writing skills are required.
- This position will write, review, and edit comment letters, letters of support, project proposals, and Habitat Management Plans.
- Experience supervising seasonal and/or full-time employees.
- Understanding of the taxonomy, physiology, ecology and habitat requirements of Utah wildlife, and understanding the principles of wildlife management.
Working Conditions:
- Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
- Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.
- Must have the ability to lift up to 100 lbs., hike 5 miles, and work extended hours in adverse weather conditions including heat and cold.
- Regular work schedule. (Monday - Friday, 40 hours a week) There will occasionally be 10+ hour days in remote areas.
Employment Type: Full Time
