- Agency
- Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Location
- Great Falls, MT
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- 25.90/hour
- Last Date to Apply
- 12/15/2022
- Website
- https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=22143823&tz=GMT-07%3A00&tzname=America%2FDenver
- Description
- This position is challenging, requiring self-motivation, advanced mental and physical stamina, and good decision-making skills. Work is conducted throughout north central Montana, across a diverse landscape. The applicant must be comfortable working in remote areas with a full complement of sometimes dangerous wildlife. The applicant must possess the ability to use or learn to use bear spray, which must be carried at all times when in the field. The applicant must also be proficient with the use of firearms. Firearm training will be provided, and the applicant must pass firearm and bear safety training. This position requires frequent travel & working conditions in a field setting away from the office, mostly in isolated and rugged terrain. May use motorized vehicles, horses, all-terrain vehicles & snowmobiles, hiking, transporting of equipment by foot or motorized vehicle in unpredictable & inclement weather. Telemetry monitoring & capture duties often require use of light fixed-wing aircraft & helicopters at low levels & in difficult flying conditions. The Wildlife Management Specialist will primarily conduct fieldwork for wolf monitoring and collaring activities that require extreme flexibility of work schedules, frequent travel within the region, driving for long periods of time, hiking in remote areas, and lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds. The Wildlife Specialist is expected to work successfully both independently and, in a team setting. Lodging accommodations in the field will be varied and may consist of staying in cabins, camper trailers or tents for extended periods of time. This position is based in Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, Region 4 located in Great Falls, Montana. Great Falls, a city of 58,000 people, lies in the heart of central Montana on the Missouri River. The city is home to the C. M. Russell Museum Complex, the University of Providence, Great Falls College Montana State University, Giant Springs, the Roe River (claimed to be the world's shortest river), the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind, the Great Falls Voyagers minor league baseball team, and is adjacent to Malmstrom Air Force Base. Wildlife specialist area of responsibility covers habitat variety from mountainous terrain, isolated mountain ranges and prairie grasslands consisting of about 60% private and 40% public lands. Central Montana offers renowned hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities. Successful candidate may also work from remote office location in western Region 4 such as Conrad, Choteau, Fairfield, Augusta areas. Duties: - This position is responsible for implementing regional and statewide program direction of wolf, carnivore and forbearer conservation and management activities. - Primary areas of emphasis, as directed by the department's wolf management plans, department policy, state legislation providing technical assistance to landowners and others; conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution; wolf capture and pack monitoring; public outreach; and interagency coordination in order to accomplish regional, statewide and federal goals. - Continuous assessment of program effectiveness and identification of potential modifications are required. - Frequent oral and written communications with the public and state and federal agency personnel are major responsibilities. - The composition of major duties will include: technical assistance to landowners, land management agencies, and others to prevent, mitigate, or resolve wolf/human or wolf/livestock conflicts; implement regional wolf conservation and management activities and contribute to statewide programs; represent the region and FWP in public outreach efforts to include presentations at public meetings related to Regional and Statewide wolf management; Intra-agency, Interagency, and tribal coordination and cooperative efforts with other entities; data collection, management, analysis, and report preparation; maintain proficiency as a wildlife professional. - Secondary duties include assisting and at times leading the regional carnivore and forbearer management programs. Occasional wildlife management duties and special assignments by the Regional Wildlife Manager such as assisting bear specialists and other regional wildlife biologists with special projects. - The Wildlife Management Specialist will be expected use his/her own judgement in prioritizing and completing daily tasks independently and in a timely manner. Frequent public contacts include a diverse community of people ranging from landowners, hunters and wildlife enthusiast with differing concerns and views on wolves and wildlife in general. As a result, good conflict resolution skills and an ability to effectively interact with the public is necessary. The Wildlife Management Specialist will work closely with the other Wolf Specialist and must possess good communication skills and be proactive in providing feedback on field activities.
- Qualifications
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Thorough background and understanding of carnivore and furbearer biology and ecology. - Demonstrated experience and skills in carnivore capture and handling, and drug experience. - Mentor seasonal staff and volunteers, as well as other biologists. - Must have a thorough knowledge and ability to integrate the arts and sciences of wildlife population biology, plant and animal ecology, soil science, research techniques and the principles of wildlife management. - Must have the essential skills and knowledge to determine management parameters that must be inventoried. - Knowledge of the legal framework for wolves in Montana, Endangered Species Act status, and federal and state regulations and management plans pertaining to wolf conservation and management within Montana and the tri-state area. - Thorough knowledge of wildlife species ecology and management, behavior, and a wide range of field capture, handling and monitoring techniques. - An in-depth working knowledge and skills are necessary in state of art procedures for: wolf capture and handling including non-target species captures using unique methods depending on situation and terrain. - A high degree of knowledge and skill is also required in the use of various chemical immobilizing agents and drug delivery systems, radio telemetry equipment and use to locate and monitor the population, aircraft safety (fixed wing and helicopter), wolf-livestock conflict prevention and resolution, wolf deterrent and aversive conditioning methods and investigations, identifying patterns in livestock depredations by various wildlife predators, collect wildlife population data. - Must have a demonstrated ability to conceptualize wildlife problems, conduct field studies, compile and analyze wildlife data, interpret results, present conclusions and recommendations, communicate complex issues and ideas to diverse public; collectively in a way that effectively influences decision makers at the Federal, State, County and private landowner levels. - Interpersonal communication skills including negotiation and collaboration. - Ability to perform tasks independent of close supervision is essential. - Good people skills to work cooperatively and effectively with people varying backgrounds and knowledge and have a positive attitude. - A familiarity with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' mission and agency's organization. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent a Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Natural Resources Management, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university and 3 years of related experience. Demonstrated experience and skills in carnivore capture and handling, experience in chemical immobilization and capture techniques of carnivores is preferred. ArcGIS preferred, but not required. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis. **To be considered for this position applicants must submit the following items directly on the State of Montana Careers website: - Resume - Cover Letter - Supplemental Questions: 1. Briefly describe your experience working with carnivores and other wildlife, including capturing, handling, radio-collaring, and remote camera work that is most relevant to this position. 2. Give an example of a situation involving a disgruntled member of the public that disagreed with work you were conducting. Describe how you handled the situation using conflict resolution skills. What were the results and what do you feel could have been done differently? 3. Describe an example of a problem you encountered while working independently in a remote location and how that changed your preparation for future fieldwork
- Contact Person
- Brianna Johnson
- Contact eMail
- fwpemp@mt.gov
