Urban Wildlife Biologist

State of Iowa • Full-time • South Des Moines, IA, Polk County, IA, US • 14h ago

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list. We are seeking a dedicated and skilled Natural Resource and Wildlife Management Biologist to join our team. This role involves professional planning, management, research, monitoring, and outreach activities associated with wildlife and natural resource management. The successful candidate will provide technical assistance on public policy, ordinances, city and park master plans, sustainable development, watershed protection, transportation planning, and wildlife habitat management, primarily for municipalities and communities. Responsibilities Planning and Management: Perform professional planning, management, research, monitoring, and outreach duties associated with wildlife and natural resource management. Provide technical assistance with public policy, ordinances, city and park master plans, sustainable development planning, watershed protection planning, transportation planning, and wildlife habitat management for municipalities. Community Engagement and Conflict Resolution: Provide conflict resolution, consensus-building, and community engagement to support natural resource management and wildlife populations within communities. Work with local governments to develop tools that help residents resolve conflicts with wildlife, prevent conflicts before they start, and promote desired wildlife habitat and conservation on public and private properties. Technical Guidance and Education: Provide technical guidance to local governments, private landowners, conservation organizations, corporations, and the general public regarding wildlife and natural resource management, habitat assessment, and wildlife populations. Create wildlife and habitat management plans for public and private properties. Perform proactive outreach and situation-specific technical assistance that helps minimize human-wildlife conflicts and fosters an appreciation and understanding of wildlife. Outreach and Public Relations: Conduct high visibility projects with community partners to promote wildlife and habitat activities via workshops, presentations, social media, video productions, and news media outlets. Funding and Partnership Development: Actively seek grant opportunities, develop partnerships, and secure funding to support natural resource and wildlife management initiatives. Essential Functions Provides recommendations to city and county administrators to help resolve and/or minimize human-wildlife conflict on matters of public policy, ordinances, city and park master plans, sustainable development planning, watershed protection planning, transportation planning, and wildlife habitat management for municipalities. Prepares wildlife and habitat management plans for public and private properties. Coordinates with Iowa State University Extension and USDA/APHIS Wildlife Services to provide proactive outreach and education efforts, situation-specific technical assistance, and on-site response to wildlife-related emergencies. Helps city administrators, residents, and private business owners minimize and resolve human-wildlife conflict issues in their communities. Applicants must meet requirements of DAS Selective Certification 901 - Wildlife Biology, which requires a minimum of 12 semester hours, six months experience, or a combination of both in the area of wildlife biology. Critical Job Competencies Must have, or be able to obtain, the following certifications and licensure: S-130/S-190 Firefighter Training Qualification S-212 Chainsaw Safety Training Qualification Driver's License CPR/First Aid Certification Competencies: Accountability, Integrity, High Productivity, Customer Focus, Team Player, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Self-Management, Technical Skills (wildlife management), Conflict Management, and Collaboration. What You Get From Us: A competitive pay plan and rewarding work. Insurance benefits that start the first of the month following 30 days of employment (Premiums can start as low as $64/month for single and $210/month for family coverage). Separate vacation and sick leave accruals that start on the first day and can roll over annually. Nine paid holidays/year. Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) retirement package with employer match. Optional deferred compensation (457/401A) plan with employer match. Professional training opportunities. Family friendly and professional work environment. Employee Discount Programs (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling). Flexible work schedules (as approved by the supervisor). Opportunities for hybrid telework (as approved by the supervisor). Workout/gym facilities available onsite at 6200 Park Ave. The State’s total compensation package features benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. For a list of additional benefits, please visit the DAS website for more information. Comments The starting salary for new state (Executive Branch) employees is expected to be at the base of the pay range. Additional salary increases may occur after the first six months, and then annually (if applicable). The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation. Visit the DAS website for more benefit information. Ensure you are kept up-to-date on the status of this position by checking your email regularly for emails from infogovernmentjobs.com . This is a system generated email from the DAS application system and it may be sent directly to your Junk/Spam folder. DNR Application Tips For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website. The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Iowa DNR Mission To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations. Applicants must meet the following qualifications: 12 semester hours in wildlife biology and 6 months experience or a combination thereof. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, including at least twelve semester hours in fisheries biology or nine semester hours in wildlife biology, and two years of full-time work experience in professional fisheries or wildlife work; or a master's degree in fisheries biology, wildlife biology, or fisheries/wildlife management. Certain designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain the required Commercial Drivers License and endorsements within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire. Certain designated positions require the employee to be certified by the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority. J-18808-Ljbffr