Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist

The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game works to preserve the state's natural resources and people's right to conservation of those resources, as protected by Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. To carry out this mission, the Department exercises responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife species, plants, and natural communities, as well as the habitats that support them. 

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection, and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. 

The Department of Fish and Game is accepting resumes and applications for the position of a Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist (Conservation Biologist II) assigned to the Field Headquarters, Westborough, MA.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached "as relevant" to the requisition. 

The Department of Fish and Game seeks applicants for the position of Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist (Conservation Biologist II). The Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist implements targeted inventory, research, and management programs to conserve the Commonwealth's endangered, threatened, special concern, and federally at-risk turtles, manages and analyzes data on the distribution of freshwater turtles, provides technical guidance to landowners and land managers to implement management actions for rare turtle species, and works collaboratively with partners in town government, other state agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and non-governmental organizations to implement and track conservation actions for freshwater turtles. The Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist works in close coordination with, and is supervised by, the State Herpetologist. The position is estimated to last 6-8 months with March 1 - October 31 being ideal.

 

Duties include:

 

1. Plan and conduct targeted and standardized field surveys of endangered, threatened, and special concern freshwater turtle populations in coordination with the State Herpetologist and DFW staff.
2. Compile and manage field data from inventories, road surveys, and population assessments, and management actions. Enter relevant data into the Commonwealth's "Heritage Hub" reporting system, and assist key partners with data management to facilitate inclusion in the Commonwealth's Natural Heritage database.
3. Implement and coordinate habitat and population management programs under the supervision of the State Herpetologist.
4. Maintain and build relationships with town natural resources officials, state agency biologists, USFWS biologists, universities, and/or non-governmental organizations. Track non-federal sources of match, where appropriate.
5. Conduct targeted education and outreach to key constituent groups to improve management outcomes for turtles of conservation concern.
6. Assist as needed with the transport, care, placement, and/or monitoring of confiscated turtles.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications Required at Hire:

 

1. Knowledge of, and direct field experience with the freshwater turtles of Massachusetts.
2. Knowledge of the geography and ecoregions of Massachusetts.
3. Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Excel, Google Earth, and ArcGIS.
4. Proficiency with backcountry navigation and GPS.
5. Willingness to travel extensively throughout the Commonwealth and to work in the field under adverse weather conditions.
6. Ability to write clearly and effectively.
7. Ability to interact effectively with diverse communities and partners.

 

Preferred Qualifications: Field experience with Wood, Blanding's, Spotted Turtles and the Northern Red-bellied Cooter is preferred. Direct experience with regional working groups for Wood, Spotted, Blanding's Turtles, and related species is preferred. Quantitative skills in statistics and/or spatial ecology is preferred. Graduate degree in biology, ecology, wildlife, fisheries, forestry, or a related biological or natural resources discipline. First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply within the first 14 days.

 

 

The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game works to preserve the state's natural resources and people's right to conservation of those resources, as protected by Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. To carry out this mission, the Department exercises responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife species, plants, and natural communities, as well as the habitats that support them. 

The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection, and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. 

The Department of Fish and Game is accepting resumes and applications for the position of a Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist (Conservation Biologist II) assigned to the Field Headquarters, Westborough, MA.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached "as relevant" to the requisition. 

The Department of Fish and Game seeks applicants for the position of Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist (Conservation Biologist II). The Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist implements targeted inventory, research, and management programs to conserve the Commonwealth's endangered, threatened, special concern, and federally at-risk turtles, manages and analyzes data on the distribution of freshwater turtles, provides technical guidance to landowners and land managers to implement management actions for rare turtle species, and works collaboratively with partners in town government, other state agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and non-governmental organizations to implement and track conservation actions for freshwater turtles. The Seasonal Freshwater Turtle Conservation Biologist works in close coordination with, and is supervised by, the State Herpetologist. The position is estimated to last 6-8 months with March 1 - October 31 being ideal.

 

Duties include:

 

1. Plan and conduct targeted and standardized field surveys of endangered, threatened, and special concern freshwater turtle populations in coordination with the State Herpetologist and DFW staff.
2. Compile and manage field data from inventories, road surveys, and population assessments, and management actions. Enter relevant data into the Commonwealth's "Heritage Hub" reporting system, and assist key partners with data management to facilitate inclusion in the Commonwealth's Natural Heritage database.
3. Implement and coordinate habitat and population management programs under the supervision of the State Herpetologist.
4. Maintain and build relationships with town natural resources officials, state agency biologists, USFWS biologists, universities, and/or non-governmental organizations. Track non-federal sources of match, where appropriate.
5. Conduct targeted education and outreach to key constituent groups to improve management outcomes for turtles of conservation concern.
6. Assist as needed with the transport, care, placement, and/or monitoring of confiscated turtles.
7. Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications Required at Hire:

 

1. Knowledge of, and direct field experience with the freshwater turtles of Massachusetts.
2. Knowledge of the geography and ecoregions of Massachusetts.
3. Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Excel, Google Earth, and ArcGIS.
4. Proficiency with backcountry navigation and GPS.
5. Willingness to travel extensively throughout the Commonwealth and to work in the field under adverse weather conditions.
6. Ability to write clearly and effectively.
7. Ability to interact effectively with diverse communities and partners.

 

Preferred Qualifications: Field experience with Wood, Blanding's, Spotted Turtles and the Northern Red-bellied Cooter is preferred. Direct experience with regional working groups for Wood, Spotted, Blanding's, and related species is preferred. Quantitative skills in statistics and/or spatial ecology is preferred. Graduate degree in biology, ecology, wildlife, fisheries, forestry, or a related biological or natural resources discipline. First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply within the first 14 days.

 

 

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.  MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:   Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, paraprofessional or technical experience in work involving the protection, preservation and/or management of endangered and protected species, of which (B)  at least one year must have been in a professional capacity, or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.   Substitutions:   I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in zoology, botany, ornithology or herpetology, may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required (A) experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.*   II. A Graduate degree with a major in zoology, botany, ornithology, or herpetology, may be substituted for one year of the required (A) experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.*   *Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.   SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license may be required.

 

 

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

 

 

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.