Wildlife Biologist I

Job Title:Wildlife Biologist I
Job Description:
If you are looking for an exciting opportunity to advance your career with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR), we have the job for you. The DWR is seeking a Wildlife Biologist to oversee the Southern Region depredation program, nuisance wildlife, urban deer and coyote bounty programs. You will supervise employees and ensure that state codes, rules, and policies are followed to implement these programs.
Principal Duties:
As a Wildlife Biologist, you will:

• supervise staff
• oversee regional depredation program as well as address depredation in the district
• respond to nuisance/predator wildlife situations, pick up road kill
• assist cities in developing urban deer control plans
• check in coyotes for the coyote bounty program
• assist district Biologist In the region with other tasks

The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have:

• a bachelor's degree or higher in a related field
• knowledge of agricultural practices and wildlife crop damage
• understanding of applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures
• supervise and guide staff to ensure consistency in the depredation program
• communicate well with staff, supervisors, and the public. often can be in contentious situations.
• work well with the public, while ensuring policies, plans and laws are followed

***Preference will be given to candidates with a bachelor's degree in a natural resources field or 4 years of demonstrated successful experience working full-time in a wildlife-related natural resources position.
Why You Should Join Our Team:
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Wildlife Section and be involved in wildlife management in southern Utah. Work duties will range from dealing with private landowners experiencing big game damage on private property, to a wide variety of nuisance wildlife calls, checking coyotes to trapping turkeys, to bear research with everything else in between. It is an opportunity to gain a wide variety of experience in applied wildlife management. Additionally, the State of Utah offers great benefits and generous paid time off.
Below is a summary of the benefits offered to state employees:

• 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.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• the ability to communicate internally and with landowners
• oversee depredation program in the region
• understand applicable laws, policies, rules and procedures
• understanding of farming practices and wildlife damage
• oversee the coyote program and associated technology for bounty check
• the ability to safely handle and capture wildlife
• great oral and written communication skills
• be proficient in firearms and have the ability to euthanize animals
• ability to make decisions or solve problems by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives and propose meaningful solutions
• bachelor's degree preferred, or directly related work experience equivalent

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.
• Risks that require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working in the wilderness, with wild animals, operating various vehicles, etc.
• Some work will require physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; hike over rough surfaces in remote wilderness areas; work bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, etc, for long periods of time.

Requirements:

• Ability to work alone; work odd hours, at night and weekends and holidays; work in all types of weather
• Ability to operate vehicles and trailers
• Proficiency in the use of firearms
• Travel and on-call will be required
• Ability to lift dead animals
• Certifications/Licenses required at the time of hire or obtained during probationary period:
  • drivers license
  • chemical immobilization
  • Firearms training
  • trailer training

Employment Type: Full Time