Fish & Wildlife Scientist III

~ Our Mission: To protect and conserve our fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the people of Vermont. ~

Position Overview

This position, Fish & Wildlife Scientist III (Job Opening #623487), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department (VFWD) is accepting applications from qualified candidates for the position of Fish and Wildlife Scientist III. The position will include statewide reptile and amphibian conservation and district responsibilities such as state lands management.

The VFWD adheres to the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and is responsible for the stewardship of both game and nongame species, and the habitats and natural communities that support them. It is our hope that the person we hire will possess the interest and skills to undertake significant management and supervisory roles in the future.

The professional biologist we hire will be part of the Wildlife Diversity Program of the VFWD and will design and implement conservation and recovery plans for our native reptiles and amphibians with an emphasis on state listed species. The biologist implements inventory, monitoring, disease surveillance, and management programs to conserve endangered, threatened and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need species, compiles and analyzes data on the distribution of the state’s herpetofauna and provides needed expertise in the environmental/regulatory review arena.

This position requires strong interpersonal, communication, organization, and leadership skills to work with our VFWD and other Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) staff, and a variety of partners. Environmental review and management of reptiles, amphibians, other game and nongame species, and their habitats is expected. The incumbent will be assigned state land management duties within the Rutland Regional District and assist with other wildlife projects such as staffing deer biological check stations. Our Wildlife Diversity Program Manager will serve as the official supervisor of this position and provide general guidance, with the expectation that the incumbent will exercise significant independent judgement.

Responsibilities

Specific duties include:

• Work with the Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group and the Endangered Species Committee on status assessments of reptiles and amphibians, including endangered or threatened status, S-rank assignments, and inclusion on the list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need.
• Develop, implement, and coordinate habitat and population management programs for reptiles and amphibians, draft species recovery plans, work with partners to identify, manage, and protect important habitat areas, and review and help develop Long Range Management Plans for state lands that benefit multiple taxa. When appropriate, propose designation of critical habitats.
• Plan, supervise, and/or conduct field surveys, biological investigations, and management of reptile and amphibian populations; oversee and administer short-term reptile and amphibian projects to be contracted-out; hire and supervise seasonal staff to assist in biological surveys, monitoring, and management as needed; analyze conservation research and inventory results and prepare studies, technical reports and scientific papers.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with land managers, the environmental and scientific communities; implement conservation partnerships to advance reptile and amphibian conservation; interact professionally with biologists at the state, regional, and national level; collaborate with the Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group members; coordinate efforts with the VFWD and other Agency of Natural Resources staff as well as partners.
• Provide expert advice on importation, research, commercial collection, educational display, pet trade, and rehabilitation of reptiles and amphibians.
• Contribute to habitat management efforts on Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), other public lands, and advise on private lands management when appropriate; participate as a member of District Stewardship Team and assist the development of Long Range Management Plans.
• To view the full job specifications for this position, please visit the DHR Job Specifications page.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in a natural resources field AND two (2) years or more of experience in a natural resources field.

OR

• Bachelor's degree or higher in natural resources field or biology AND four (4) years or more of experience in a natural resources field.

OR

• Two (2) years or more as a Fish & Wildlife Scientist II with the State of Vermont.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge of the biology and conservation of reptiles and amphibians.
• Excellent skills in effective communication, technical writing, and collaboration with the ability to work effectively with a variety of partners.
• Considerable knowledge of information management, Global Position Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Considerable knowledge of sampling techniques and statistical procedures.
• Good understanding of population genetics and disease detection and prevention.
• Good understanding of the concepts and conservation applications of population viability, landscape ecology and connectivity, and wildlife habitat management.
• Ability to develop budgets, track expenditures, and write and implement effective grants.
• Knowledge of habitat management techniques and the ability to effectively communicate stewardship needs with state foresters helping to implement WMA management projects; working knowledge of silvicultural concepts and applications and familiarity with Northern Hardwood Forest and other natural communities.

To Apply

Please click "Apply on Company Website" below. If you would like more information about this position, please contact Steve Parren.

• Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
• Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Application Deadline: 07/26/2018