Wildlife Disease Biologist II/Senior/Principle (FP-40093)

Description

CLOSING DATE: Wednesday, April 30,2025

POSITION: Wildlife Disease Biologist II/Senior/Principal

SALARY: $30.37-,$45.43, per hour DOE

REPORTS TO: Wildlife Division- Senior Manager

LOCATION: Inchelium or Nespelem, Washington

Basic Functions: 

The Wildlife Disease Biologist II / Senior / Principal will work independently researching and compiling a Disease Response Plan and Monitoring Protocol/Strategy related to existing and novel wildlife diseases that may have impacts on the Colville Reservation, North Half, or other Aboriginal Areas. 

This position has limited funding that currently ends on September 30, 2026. Continuation of the position past that date depends on availability of funding and/or grants.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Training: 

Biologist II

• A Master's Degree (Preferred) from a regionally accredited college or university in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Sciences (Wildlife Directed Studies), or closely related field, AND 12 months' experience at the Biologist I and II or equivalent levels related to wildlife, habitat, and/or disease management or research. OR 
• A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Sciences (Wildlife Directed Studies), or closely related field, AND 36 months' experience at the Biologist I and II or equivalent levels related to wildlife, habitat, and/or disease management or research. 

Biologist Senior

• A Master's Degree (Preferred) from a regionally accredited college or university in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Sciences (Wildlife Directed Studies), or closely related field, AND 36 months' experience at the Biologist I and II or equivalent levels related to wildlife, habitat, and/or disease management or research. OR 
• A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Sciences (Wildlife Directed Studies), or closely related field, AND 60 months' experience at the Biologist I and II or equivalent levels related to wildlife, habitat, and/or disease management or research. 

Biologist Principal

• A Ph.D. (Preferred) from a regionally accredited college or university in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Sciences (Wildlife Directed Studies), or closely related field, AND 24 months' experience at the Biologist I, II, and Senior or equivalent levels related to wildlife, habitat, and/or disease management or research. OR 
• A Master's Degree (Preferred) from a regionally accredited college or university in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Sciences (Wildlife Directed Studies), or closely related field, AND 96 months' experience at the Biologist I, II, and Senior or equivalent levels related to wildlife, habitat, and/or disease management or research. 
• A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in Wildlife Biology or Wildlife Management, Natural Resource Sciences (Wildlife Directed Studies), or closely related field, AND 120 months' experience at the Biologist I, II, and Senior or equivalent levels related to wildlife, habitat, and/or disease management or research.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Requires the ability to collect, evaluate, and report on collected data; formulates conclusions and writes summaries; drafts technical reports for review by the Senior Manager. 
• Requires the ability to research, develop, plan, monitor, evaluate, coordinate, and also provides official comments on any Wildlife Disease issues/activities that may have impacts to wildlife under the management of the Colville Tribes, in coordination with the Wildlife Senior Manager.- 
• Requires the ability to Assists in representing the CCT in Wildlife disease forums and working groups including the Upper Columbia United Tribes (UCUT) Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) working group and the Okanogan Bighorn Sheep Disease working group. 
• Requires the ability to coordinates with Emergency Response to develop strategies guiding Tribal response to wildlife disease outbreaks (avian flu, etc.) 
• Requires the ability to design and implement all field-level disease monitoring, data collection and storage, reporting, mitigation, proposed regulation/code changes, and public education/outreach concerning wildlife disease.
• Requires the ability to Maintain project equipment, leads the field collection of biological samples, and participates in and/or provides support for wildlife captures and surveys.
• Requires the ability to design and implement a monitoring and sampling programs designed to detect the presence and/or extent of wildlife disease or other biological data for wildlife management purposes.
• Requires the ability to research wildlife disease issues and prepares a Wildlife Disease Monitoring and Response Plan for the Tribes as well as educational outreach materials.
• Requires the ability to Develop and maintain a secure database on wildlife diseases monitoring efforts, enters and accesses data in Geographic Information Systems (GIS); transfer and convert Global Positioning System (GPS) data into usable format; and provides detailed/summarized data reports for use in management.
• Requires the ability to Provide technical consultation to Tribal Members, landowners, businesses, agency personnel and other regional entities; consults with other governments and agencies.
• Requires the ability to Monitor and manage Disease Sub-division grants, contracts, and budgets; submits applications for additional/continuation funding based on Program needs.
• Requires the ability to be In conjunction with UCUT, works cooperatively with multiple agencies to address wildlife diseases, especially CWD.
• Requires the ability to respond to animal complaints when a disease or wildlife health issue may be involved.
• Requires the ability to performs annual inventory and maintenance of associated equipment such as chemical- immobilization guns, animal traps/monitors, sample drop-sites, sample collection equipment, etc.
• Requires the ability to Conduct seasonal Big Game Check Stations to correspond with important hunting season dates in order to collect samples for monitoring for disease including CWD.
• Requires the ability to educate Tribal hunters and youth through public presentations and hand-out materials.
• Requires knowledge of life history and habitat requirements of local wildlife species.
• Requires knowledge of methods and practices of general land management.
• Requires knowledge of state and federal environmental rules and regulations.
• Requires knowledge of biological research and wildlife management methods; general database design and use in natural resource management.
• Requires knowledge of standard laboratory and field methods and statistical data processing.
• Requires knowledge wildlife population surveys.
• Requires knowledge of GPS receivers and ARCGIS software for the management of natural resources.
• Requires knowledge and skill on how to develop and read maps and aerial photos, and conduct self-orientation in the field utilizing various instruments and reference resources.
• Requires the ability to synthesize and/or analyze environmental information and research findings to formulate wildlife management recommendations.
• Requires the ability to develop and implement wildlife disease monitoring and response protocols/studies.
• Requires the ability to interpret environmental regulation and related laws.
•  Requires the ability to safely trap/handle a variety of wildlife both live animals and carcasses (of differing levels of freshness).
• Requires the ability safely handle, shoot and maintain firearms and chemical immobilization guns.
• Requires the ability to coordinate, lead, or supervise technical or nontechnical volunteer or staff; write and speak clearly and effectively.
• Requires the ability to utilize computers for routine data analysis and word processing tasks.
• Requires the ability to utilize GIS and GPS software effectively to produce maps and manipulate data.
• Requires the ability to perform a variety of outdoor work in rugged, difficult terrain and in inclement weather; operate 4-wheel drive vehicles, ATV”s and snowmobiles on rough, primitive roads and trails; operate chainsaws and other power and hand tools.
• Requires the ability to make public contacts in the field; and facilitate Hunter Check Stations.
• Requires the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural team environment.
• Requires the ability to be self-motivated and work with minimal supervision.
• Requires the ability to organize and prioritize work to achieve results, goals, and objectives on time.
• Requires the ability to use multiple types of electronics and technologies and be motivated to learn, trouble shoot and understand how they function.
• Requires the ability to collect accurate biological data following established protocols.
• Requires the ability to effectively handle adverse situations, making appropriate decisions, working calmly, and accurately.
• Requires visual acuity to read words and numbers.
• Requires auditory ability to carry on conversations over the phone and in person.
• Requires the ability to lift at least 25 pounds.
• Requires the ability and willingness to work indoors in an office setting, as required.
• Requires the willingness and ability to work long shifts on a variable schedule, including: nights, early mornings, holidays, and weekends (as the work dictates) in varying, sometimes remote, locations.
• Requires the ability to travel for work projects, meetings, training and conference participation as necessary.
• Requires good physical condition and the ability to work work in inclement weather conditions, using tractors/atvs/snowmobiles, and on variable, slippery, and rugged terrain with supplies and equipment. Requires the ability to complete repetitive tasks, such as skinning/cutting into carcasses to collect samples or working on computers for extended periods of time.
• Requires the ability to lift and/or manipulate anesthetized animals or carcasses to collect samples.
• Requires the ability to and willingness to safely handle, collect samples from, and properly dispose of dead animals (carcasses) which potentially may be contaminated with wildlife diseases using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment.
• Requires the ability to safely operate and maintain project equipment such as 4-wheel drive vehicle, ATV, tractor, chainsaw, and power equipment.
• Requires the ability to safely operate trucks and trailers; backing up, loading, and unloading equipment off the trailers.
• ks and trailers; backing up, loading, and unloading equipment off the trailers. Requires the ability to safely and effectively supervise small work crews by understanding and following applicable regulations and standards to maintain a safe work environment.
• Requires the ability to use standard laboratory and field equipment (such as necropsy equipment, GPS units, or telemetry equipment).
  
   

Note: Pursuant to Tribal Policy, if this position is safety sensitive it is subject to pre-employment drug testing. In addition, this position is subject to reasonable suspicion and post-accident drug testing.

TRIBAL MEMBER AND INDIAN PREFERENCE WILL APPLY; PREFERENCE WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERANS WHO ARE MINIMALLY QUALIFIED.

If required of this position, you must possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and be eligible for the Tribes’ Vehicle Insurance.  In addition, this position may be subject to pre-employment background clearances.  If applicable, these clearances must be maintained throughout employment.

INFORMATION: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Human Resources Office, P. O. Box 150, Nespelem, WA  99155, Fawn Palmer, (509) 634-2839, fawn.palmer.hrs@colvilletribes.com.

Salary : $30 - $45