Wildlife Biologist

General Purpose

Performs a variety of working level professional and technical duties as needed to monitor wildlife populations, plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the planning for preservation of wildlife, obtain and preserve a wildlife migration corridor, and review development plans for impacts to/from steep slopes, natural washes, and other environmental impacts.

Supervision

Works under direct supervision of the Community Development Director. No supervision is exercised.

Essential Functions

• Conducts field inspections related to development projects' effects on wildlife habitat and the natural environment and ensure compliance with environmental laws and City approvals.
• Inform manager, administration, and City decision makers of field inspection findings.
• Proposes and/or draft zoning codes designed to balance development rights with wildlife habitat protection.
• Participates in and perform studies related to land use policy development.
• Performs wildlife and open space preservation planning, and coordinate with other planners and other departments during various long-range planning efforts to appropriately plan for open space preservation, wildlife preservation, and accommodates wildlife crossings (bridges, tunnels, at-grade).
• Assists City grants coordinator to provide information and obtain partnerships for various grants related to open space and wildlife.
• Recommends wildlife and riparian protection area locations.
• Uses GIS to depict appropriate open space and wildlife areas.
• Communicates effectively in writing and verbally with the public, with industry professionals, with colleagues, and with City decision makers (Planning Commission, Mayor, and City Council).
• Develops relationships with regional partners (Camp Williams, Mule Deer Foundation, State Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Wildlife Resources, UDOT, SITLA, and the local Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance).
• Coordinates meetings, educates, and meets with these partners on a regular basis.
• Coordinates with the local high school(s) to teach about wildlife and open space preservation.
• Reviews various planning and development applications for impacts to/from steep slopes, natural washes, wildlife habitat, the wildlife corridor overlay zone, wildfire protection, flood protection, etc.
• Coordinates with City Attorney, landowners, and conservation groups to draft and complete conservation easements and public use easements.
• Performs field work to enhance and maintain the wildlife migration corridor, such as erection of fencing, noxious weed control, trail and access management, revegetation seeding, etc.
• Assists in the preparation, solicitation, review and administration of contracts for various services funded by the City related to open space, wildlife, etc.
• Attends and participates in professional functions, meetings and classes; researches and stays abreast of Federal, State and local laws, legislation, codes, regulations, environmental matters, wildlife, and zoning and land-use issues; researches best practices and planning strategies.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from college with a bachelor's degree in wildlife studies, wildlife biology, conservation, environmental science, or a closely related field; AND at least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in, and exposure to, environmental planning, site planning, development application review, land development codes, report preparation, and public speaking; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of mule deer and their migration patterns, habitat, food sources (vegetation), and behavioral patterns.
• Knowledge of various birds native to the Eagle Mountain area and their nesting and migration patterns, habitat, food sources, and behavioral patterns.
• Knowledge of the Federal Bird Treaty Migration Act.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of urban and rural planning and design, local government operation and structures.
• Map reading skills.
• Principles of public relations.
• Personal computers and applications.
• Experience using GIS to collect, maintain, manage, and analyze wildlife, habitat, natural-resource, or other spatial data.
• Knowledge of current and long range planning and site plan compliance.
• Knowledge of site development, zoning ordinances, environmental protection.
• Knowledge of the relationship between land-use planning, environmental stewardship, wildlife and habitat conservation, and related ecological, economic, political, sociological, legal, and physical considerations.
• Knowledge of research and statistical methods typically used in the analysis and the evaluation of research data.
• Knowledge of land use, zoning, federal, state, and local laws.
• Skill in the art of diplomacy and cooperative problem solving.
• Skill in the use of various computer programs.
• Ability to creatively and effectively enhance and manage Eagle Mountain City's Wildlife Migration Corridor.
• Ability to research relevant information and present the information to the public in a concise and clear manner.
• Ability to supervise daily work programs.
• Ability to prepare and analyze planning related professional reports.
• Ability to coordinate a variety of major projects and programs.
• Ability to plan and organize comprehensive research studies.
• Ability to prepare and present technical reports.
• Ability to prepare and present budget estimates.
• Ability to enforce regulations with fairness, tact, and impartiality.
• Ability to interpret codes accurately and effectively.
• Ability to operate personal computer and various software applications (word processing, spreadsheet, design, presentation, etc.).
• Ability to efficiently operate and maintain computer hardware and software.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate standard keyboard and perform data entry activities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.

Special Qualifications

Must possess a valid state driver's license.

Work Environment

Tasks require a variety of physical activities that may occasionally involve muscular strain. Physical demands may occur in activities related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching, shoveling, lifting, etc. Talking, hearing and seeing required in the daily performance of job duties. Occasional exposure to environmental hazards resulting from on-site project inspections and in-field work. Mental application utilizes memory for details, emotional stability and discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Periodic travel required in course of performing portions of job functions.