Salary : $4,458.00 - $8,027.00 Monthly
Location : Gueydan, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: 513-205044-25
Department: Wildlife & Fisheries-Wildlife
Opening Date: 01/29/2025
Closing Date: 2/11/2025 11:59 PM Central

Supplemental Information
LDWF supports a strong work ethic in its employees and incorporates the use of good science, accurate information and technology. The Office of Wildlife exists to provide wise stewardship of Louisiana's wildlife and associated habitats and increase wildlife conservation awareness.

BIOLOGIST DCL-A/ WHITE LAKE WCA

This position is responsible for waterfowl and wetland habitat management based at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (WCA) located in Vermilion Parish. This 71,905-acre conservation area consists of freshwater marsh, intermediate marsh, agricultural lands, and coastal prairie, but also includes other habitat types along spoil banks and levees. The candidate must possess experience in and expert knowledge of waterfowl ecology, wetland habitat management, and contemporary methods for biological research and monitoring. The employee will be expected to develop and implement independent waterfowl research, collect, maintain, and analyze data, collaborate with other LDWF sections and outside entities (Universities, nonprofit organizations, conservation organizations, etc.), and report and integrate research findings. Additionally, as the agency's expert on White Lake WCA waterfowl and their habitats, the candidate is expected to advise staff, the Biologist Manager, upper management, and the public regarding long-term habitat management practices on the property. This position receives broad supervision from the Biologist Manager at White Lake WCA. Daily work tasks may include, but are not limited to, writing proposals, plans, and reports, mentoring biologists and technicians, trapping and banding waterfowl, maintaining and monitoring waterfowl nesting structures, assisting with aerial surveys, conducting habitat assessments, providing habitat recommendations, documenting habitat management practices, operating water control structures, and nuisance species control. The employee must have strong technical writing and speaking skills. This position will interact with both wildlife professionals and the public through lottery hunting and fishing, educational activities, ecotourism, and other White Lake WCA activities. Waterfowl hunting experience is preferred, as this position will sometimes be required to assist with guided public lottery waterfowl hunts on the property. This position will also be required (within two years of hire) to obtain and maintain a USCG Merchant Mariner Master Captain's license. Physical Demands: Moderate to strenuous physical exertion is required for such activities as climbing, lifting objects over 50 pounds, wading, crouching or crawling in restricted areas or in inclement weather. Weekend work, overnight stay and early morning departure is sometimes required, as well as day and night work in boats and airboats. The incumbent will be required to conduct aerial surveys. This job is designated as a Dual Career Ladder title and will require performance of higher level, more complex duties and possession of advanced, specialized skills. This position will be fundamental in furthering White Lake WCA waterfowl management and the LDWF Strategic Plan.
VACANCY INFORMATION

This position may be filled as a:
• Probational appointment
• Job appointment
• Promotion (open to all statewide classified and agency wide permanent status employees)
• Detail to special duty

Current permanent status classified state employees may be required to accept a probational appointment if selected. If filled as a Job Appointment, there is a possibility that this position may be converted to a probational appointment should funding become available.

This position is domiciled in Vermilion Parish.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUALIFICATION

Two years of experience in applied waterfowl management including the management and enhancement of waterfowl habitats.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS VACANCY CONTACT:
Cassandra Louis

Department of Wildlife & Fisheries-Human Resources

P.O. Box 98000

Baton Rouge, LA 70898
A criminal background check will be required of all selected applicants. Any degree, certificate, special license, or DD-214 must be verified by official documentation prior to hire. Any qualifying experience that is based on college credit/college hours should have an accompanying transcript for verification.

Failure to provide your qualifying work experience may result in your application not being considered.

If you are applying for a position which requires a baccalaureate and/or master's degree you may apply 90 days prior to receipt of your degree, however, the effective date of the appointment cannot be prior to your graduation date.

HOW TO APPLY

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.* The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment resources for individuals with disabilities, see the Louisiana Employment Resources Guide at This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization

Wildlife & Fisheries is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Minimum Qualifications

SMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A bachelor's degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus four years of experience in wildlife or fisheries, forestry, or environmental science; OR

A non-thesis master's degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus three years of the required specialized experience; OR

A master's degree with a completed thesis or a doctorate in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus two years of the required specialized experience.
Job Concepts
FUNCTION OF WORK:
To serve as a staff advisor and expert to agency staff and the public regarding biological activities and the possible consequences of those activities from various entities. Serves as a high level advisor for the state on a specific area of biological policy or other areas of technical or regulatory expertise.
NOTE: This job is designated a Dual Career Ladder job as defined in CS Rule 1.14.1.1 and 5.9 requiring performance of higher level more complex duties and possession of advanced, specialized skills. A Civil Service Commission approved agency policy is required prior to implementation.
LEVEL OF WORK:
Expert.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Broad direction from a Biologist Manager or higher-level manager.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May exercise functional/project supervision over lower-level staff.
LOCATION OF WORK:
Agencies with an approved Biologist DCL policy.
JOB DISTINCTIONS:
Differs from Biologist 3 by requirements of the approved DCL policy as well as serving as a staff advisor to upper management.
Differs from Biologist DCL-B by absence of responsibility for serving as a state expert as defined by the agency DCL policy.

Examples of Work
EXAMPLES LISTED BELOW INCLUDE BRIEF SAMPLES OF COMMON DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS JOB TITLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ALL TASKS ARE INCLUDED.
Confers frequently with international, federal, state, and local officials and natural resource professionals to review user-group, landowner, or habitat problems and develop a consensus on procedures for solution.
Conducts sensitive, complex negotiations on biological and departmental issues with private industry, landowners, and governmental agencies.
Represents the department at meetings with citizen groups, news media, educational forums, and the regulated community regarding complex biological issues.
Acts as a high level scientific and technical advisor to the Biologist Administrator regarding commercial or recreational trends, market conditions, habitat conditions, and animal population levels.
Supervises special projects and directs field activities providing and improving access for hunters, fishermen, trappers, and all public user groups to allow for better utilization of the state's natural resources.
Designs and directs research, management, and biological monitoring projects for such purposes as determining habitat requirements, range surveys, specimen collection, telemetry, life history, and baseline studies.
Writes research proposals; designs, develops, and implements highly complex scientific research projects concerned with biological resource management recommendations.
Writes and proofreads technical and non technical articles, papers, news releases, and correspondence; testifies at federal and state courts and legislative hearings as to biological resources and management practices.
Directs the formulation of species management plans and provides direction and technical advice in the development of recommended changes in catch limits, harvest, or habitat management plans resulting from biological research projects.
Evaluates changes to biological populations that have resulted in a change of management practices on federal, state, and private lands and waters.
Directs the formulation, enactment, and ensurance of compliance with natural resource policies and procedures.
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at

Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at

Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
Mardi Gras,
Good Friday,
Memorial Day,
Independence Day,
Labor Day,
Veteran's Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (),
Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (), among others

01

This position requires a bachelor's degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus four years of experience in wildlife or fisheries, forestry, or environmental science; ORA non-thesis master's degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus three years of the required specialized experience; ORA master's degree with a completed thesis or a doctorate in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources plus two years of the required specialized experience. Provide your degree major, school and date completed. If no degree enter N/A
02

Do you have at least two years of experience in applied waterfowl management with management and enhancement of waterfowl habitats?

03

Please list all relevant experience and training in biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries, animal science, forestry, or natural resources. This experience must be included in the work experience portion of your application.
04

Are you able to travel as required?

05

Are you able to work overtime as required?

06

If you are a candidate applying within 90 days of receiving the required degree please provide expected degree major and date. If no enter N/A
Required Question

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