BIOLOGIST 4

About the role

This is a supervisory position in the Habitat Division, Eastern Region overseeing up to six regional habitat biologists and one contract position through the Wildlife Management Institute. The position provides regional supervision of habitat activities and provides guidance and direction across three primary program areas: restoration and rehabilitation, private lands, and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA).

Responsibilities

• Supervise and participate in wildlife, botanical and habitat studies to protect and preserve the State’s wildlife and natural resources;
• Conduct wildlife surveys and inventories to determine a population’s composition, productivity, reproductive status and condition in order to develop recommendations regarding hunting seasons, stocking practices and bag limits or determine conservation status;
• Organize and implement fish, wildlife, botanical and habitat surveys; identify survey areas and schedule required personnel, equipment and supplies; collect data using a variety of techniques and equipment such as field observation, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, electroshocking, population marking, tagging, angler/hunter questionnaires, bag checks and creel surveys;
• Analyze data by applying mathematical and statistical formulas to calculate population status; prepare species distribution and density maps; evaluate trend data and document the status and management needs of fish, wildlife, botanical and habitat resources; prepare species and habitat management recommendations and technical reports;
• Provide survey data and analysis as input to land management planning processes; review and evaluate established and proposed land, water and resource use documents; prepare correspondence and technical reports concerning the issues and consequences of proposed actions; appear before regulatory, governing and advisory boards and commissions to explain and defend the agency’s position and answer questions;
• Manipulate fish and wildlife populations and habitats by introducing species into suitable habitats consistent with biological and social constraints; bait and trap, tranquilize, radio collar or band wildlife and transport to selected locations; modify habitats in order to meet resource needs and associated uses; monitor released animals to assess project results;
• Investigate and assess damage caused by wildlife upon private property and public lands; recommend appropriate courses of action to mitigate or resolve the problem;
• Draft species management plans; develop season and harvest recommendations and implement related regulations; analyze and evaluate data, reports and proposals; make program recommendations in accordance with consumptive, non-consumptive and recreational needs of the public and the preservation of wildlife resources and habitats.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biology, wildlife management or closely related field and four years of professional experience in wildlife, fisheries or habitat management;
• One year of experience as a Biologist III in Nevada State service;
• An equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of: fish, wildlife and habitat management activities including surveys, population analysis, and data analysis.
• General knowledge of: scheduling personnel and equipment to accomplish and report results of wildlife surveys and inventory.
• Basic principles of training and supervision.

Skills

• Training and supervising staff.
• Developing and implementing project proposals and work plans.
• Preparing recommendations and technical reports.
• Performing administrative duties such as authorizing purchases, allocating funds and monitoring budgets, developing, monitoring and administering grants, overseeing equipment maintenance, and ensuring compliance with contractual agreements as well as policies and procedures.
• Preparing, reviewing and editing job progress reports, incident reports, input reports, project evaluations, grant applications, and letters.

Benefits

Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).

Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.

Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.

Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.

Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.

No Nevada state income tax.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.

Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit.