Habitat Biologist/Assistant Manager

Wildlife Resources


Job Title: Assistant Habitat Program Manager (Wildlife Biologist III)


Job Description:
Are you a natural resource professional who values integrity, professionalism, and teamwork? If so, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) wants you as the Assistant Manager in our Ogden office.  In this role, you'll help oversee habitat restoration activities, including the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI) and Habitat Council projects on various lands. You will manage 30 wildlife management areas and 31 conservation easements while supporting impact analysis efforts to protect wildlife and habitat. Building strong relationships with local, state, and federal partners is essential, along with assisting biologists with conservation priorities and supervisory duties.

DWR serves as the guardian of Utah’s fish and wildlife, striving for sustainable populations and high standards of integrity and accountability.  Additionally, the State of Utah offers a great benefits package that promotes a healthy work-life balance.

For more about the Department of Natural Resources and The Division of Wildlife Resources, click here.

• Work with the Regional Habitat Manager to develop and manage the Northern Region's Habitat Section budget and annual work plan.
• Plan, implement, and monitor habitat restoration projects on private, federal, and state lands, (including 30 Wildlife Management Areas and 31 conservation easements) through the Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI), Habitat Council, and other partnerships.
• Manage the impact analysis program in the region to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to wildlife and habitat. 
• Cultivate relationships with private landowners, local, state, and federal land managers, and private conservation partners and organizations.  
• Continually develop professional expertise and knowledge of wildlife populations and habitats throughout the region and provide habitat-related recommendations to help biologists achieve conservation goals.  
• Establish a culture of teamwork and collaboration through meaningful interactions with fellow team members and staff from other regional administrative sections.
• Develop and monitor project budgets and expenditures. Ensure program resources are used efficiently and effectively while adhering to relevant statutes, administrative rules, agency policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned by the Habitat Manager.

REQUIRED:

• A Bachelor's Degree in a natural resource management field, wildlife biology, resource conservation, or another closely related field; or at least 3-years of directly related work experience.
• A demonstrated knowledge of Utah's wildlife and land conservation programs, laws, rules, policies, and practices.  
• Previous experience managing projects, programs, and budgets, with attention to detail.
• Proven ability to build collaborative, solution-based partnerships with diverse stakeholders and organizations.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.

PREFERRED:

• A master's degree in wildlife biology, an applicable natural resource management field, or another closely related field.
• 5 years of successful work experience in a wildlife or conservation-related field.
• The ability to work with diverse stakeholders to find creative and pragmatic solutions to problems, processes, and socio-political conflicts.
• Supervisory experience.  
• Practical experience dealing with the politics — internal and external — of natural resource management.

Working Conditions:

• Risks that require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
• Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, and lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.
• Typical work schedule is 40 hours per week, with occasional weekends, evenings, and emergency response.

Preference:

• Preference will be given to candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources field.  Additional preference will be given to candidates with a Master's degree in a wildlife-related natural resources field or other applicable field that is beneficial for the position. Preference for years of demonstrated successful full-time work experience.

Requirements:

• Valid Drivers License.
• This is a full-time position, which occasionally requires irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and during emergency situations.
• Occasional overnight travel within Utah, and occasionally outside of the state, is required to attend meetings, and conferences, support habitat management projects, visit remote sites in the field and meet with stakeholders, etc.

Salary : $24 - $39