NATURAL RESOURCES TECHNICIAN I

Long Term Contractual / Four (4) vacancies

Contract Period: One (1) year

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These positions are located throughout coastal Maryland. Applicants residing within Worcester, Somerset, Wicomico, Dorchester, Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne's, Kent, Cecil, Harford, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles counties will be considered. Please indicate on your application all counties where you are willing to accept employment. 

The Department of Natural Resources, Fishing and Boating Services, is currently accepting applications for (4) part-time Long-Term Contractual (LTC) creel clerks for the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey (APAIS) conducted throughout Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal watershed. This survey is part of the National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP), which develops estimates of recreational marine fishing activity and harvest for Atlantic states.

These positions are located throughout coastal Maryland. Applicants residing within Worcester, Somerset, Wicomico, Dorchester, Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne's, Kent, Cecil, Harford, Baltimore, Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Charles counties will be considered.

Field staff will travel to assigned sites at public docks, piers, beaches and marinas within reasonable distance of their residence to interview anglers about their fishing experiences, collect a variety of information, and (when applicable) weigh, measure, and identify fish species. There are also assignments on ½-day and full-day head boat trips offshore and site inspection assignments. All data must be collected and recorded according to strict survey protocol. Completed data must be submitted regularly to DNR supervisors and staff must participate in the data review process until all data pass quality assurance review by DNR supervisors.

Staff will work remotely and independently, commuting to sites located throughout coastal Maryland, and reporting to the DNR Annapolis office, 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD, 21401 a few times throughout the year. All work assignments will require in-state travel. Staff will use their own vehicles and be reimbursed for mileage.

This is a 12-month contract with possible annual renewal(s). This survey is conducted March-December with 70% of assignments falling on weekends and holidays. Long-Term staff may work limited winter hours and may earn overtime in the busier summer months. Shifts may include night assignments which are completed with a coworker. Work schedules are developed monthly within two weeks of the next month's start. Weekly schedules during survey months (March-December) are generally expected to provide between 20 and 40 hours of work.

COVID-19 precautions will be followed in accordance with state policies. All Field Interviewers are provided PPE (masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, etc) while conducting APAIS related field work at public access points.

Education: Completion of 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university, 18 credit hours must be in biology, biochemistry, environmental science, forest technology, arboriculture, aquaculture, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management, zoology, or a natural resources management related field of study.

Experience: None.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience performing technical biological work in the field of forestry, arboriculture, wildlife, aquaculture, natural resources management, or fisheries on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the biological science technician field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of an automobile or other motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess the appropriate operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all education and experience related to the essential functions of this position.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Leave may be granted to a temporary/contractual employee who works an average of at least 12 hours per week. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

The online application is preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov. 

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Crystal Wilson at crystal.wilson1@maryland.gov.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.