Assistant Wildlife Biologist (Ecologist II)

About the role

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) Wildlife Management Section is seeking an experienced ecologist to fill the Assistant Wildlife Biologist position. The role supports the Wildlife Management Specialist in coordinating wildlife management activities and collaborates with county, state, and federal agencies on wildlife, natural resource management, and animal control. Under general supervision, the incumbent performs full‑performance biological science duties, including assisting with the Deer Management and Canada Geese Management programs, wildlife inventory and monitoring, health surveillance, conflict mitigation, habitat evaluations, data collection and analysis, and community outreach/education. The position involves both office and field work.

Responsibilities

• Assists in operations for the Fairfax County Deer Management Program including hunter orientations and training, field equipment installation and maintenance, field‑dressing of deer, jawbone aging of deer, and biological sample collection for Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance
• Assists in operations for the Fairfax County Canada Geese Management Program including conducting egg‑oiling and nest destruction to reduce flock growth of resident Canada geese, collecting monitoring data, and maintaining contact databases for property owners and landowner permissions
• Assists in the selection, design and implementation of wildlife population surveys (i.e., breeding birds, bats)
• Provides technical guidance and recommendations for wildlife mitigation to internal and external stakeholders experiencing wildlife damage or human‑wildlife conflicts
• Collects, manages, and analyzes wildlife and natural resource monitoring data for permit compliance and/or wildlife management plans
• Responds to internal and external phone calls, emails, and inquiries about human‑wildlife conflicts, wildlife identification, wildlife behavior, wildlife health, and wildlife management practices
• Performs public education and outreach activities, including the development of brochures, table exhibits, and content for county wildlife webpages
• Participates in public meetings and events about the county’s wildlife management program
• Delivers educational presentations about wildlife, human‑wildlife conflict, wildlife/public safety, and habitat management for various audiences
• Coordinates with the county’s animal control, health department, and state wildlife partners for collection/submission of biological samples related to wildlife health surveillance
• Monitors physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the County's streams, lakes, ponds and other water bodies and/or terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• Participates in the development of monitoring plans, quality assurance project plans