Wildlife Assistant 6-9 - Barry

Job Description

Assists with the development and maintenance of wildlife habitat, infrastructure, and facilities on Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division-managed lands, and other State, private, or Federal lands, primarily in area of responsibility (AOR): Barry, Calhoun, and Eaton Counties, Michigan. These duties are accomplished through farming practices, forest management practices, herbicide application, mowing and land clearing, water level manipulation in impoundments, and use of heavy and light equipment. Assists with other AOR responsibilities, including wildlife surveys, nuisance animal control, and facility maintenance. Assists with the collection of biological data. Performs safe operation, maintenance, record-keeping and reporting, and transportation of equipment. Responsible for maintenance of buildings, office grounds, other infrastructure and state-owned lands including signs, parking lots, gates, and barriers. Assists with providing daily direction and equipment training to temporary, non-career employees. Regularly communicates and collaborates with the local staff to implement land and wildlife habitat management in AOR.
Position will need to obtain and maintain a Commercial Driver’s license and complete Firearm training and certification within one year of employment.
Assists with the development and maintenance of wildlife habitat, infrastructure, and facilities on Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division-managed lands, and other State, private, or Federal lands, primarily in area of responsibility (AOR): Barry, Calhoun, and Eaton Counties, Michigan. These duties are accomplished through farming practices, forest management practices, herbicide application, mowing and land clearing, water level manipulation in impoundments, and use of heavy and light equipment. Assists with other AOR responsibilities, including wildlife surveys, and facility maintenance. Assists with the collection of biological data. Oversees, coordinates, and performs safe operation, maintenance, record-keeping and reporting, scheduling, and transportation of equipment. Responsible for scheduling major equipment and infrastructure maintenance; scheduling other employees to conduct routine maintenance such as litter and trash pick-up, lawn mowing, and small equipment maintenance and repair. Responsible for maintenance of buildings, office grounds, other infrastructure and state-owned lands including signs, parking lots, gates, and barriers. Responsible for overseeing work assignments and providing daily direction to temporary, non-career employees. Responsible for and proficient in training lower-level employees in equipment operation and maintenance, facility maintenance, work safety, record keeping, and related administrative tasks. Regularly communicates and collaborates with the local staff to implement land and wildlife habitat management in AOR and region.
A commercial driver’s license issued by the Secretary of State as required by Public Act 346 of 1988 to operate a designated state vehicle is required for this position at hire. (Two-month grace for Out of State License transfers) Firearm training and certification is required for this position.

Required Education and Experience

Education
Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school.
Experience
Wildlife Assistant 6
No specific type or amount is required.
Wildlife Assistant 7
One year of experience in the construction trades or equivalent to a Wildlife Assistant 6.
Wildlife Assistant E8
Two years of experience equivalent to a Wildlife Assistant, including one year equivalent to a Wildlife Assistant 7.
Wildlife Assistant 9
Three years of experience equivalent to a Wildlife Assistant, including one year equivalent to a Wildlife Assistant E8.

Alternate Education and Experience

Wildlife Assistant 6, 7
Completion of vocational training that included practical experience in the operation of heavy equipment may be substituted for six months of experience at the Wildlife Assistant 6 or 7 levels.

Additional Requirements and Information

This position requires the submission of a cover letter and resume. Failure to include a cover letter and resume may result in your application no longer being considered for this position. Cover letters and resumes will be evaluated for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, format, and content.
Due to the professional level nature of this position, we will be scoring your cover letter, resume, and responses to supplemental questions for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, format, and content.
Some positions within this class series are assigned job duties that may require possession of the commercial driver's license issued by the Secretary of State as required by Public Act 346 of 1988 to operate a designated state vehicle.
Some positions within this class series are assigned job duties that may require possession of a commercial Pesticide Applicators license.
View the classification specification at:

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state’s military and veterans; rebuild our state’s infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees’ annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state’s contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year’s Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park—just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan’s affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24