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NATURAL RESOURCES BIOLOGIST III

Western Region Biologist

Recruitment #24-001000-0001

Introduction

This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.

GRADE

16

LOCATION OF POSITION

301 Braddock Rd, Frostburg, MD 21532

Main Purpose of Job

This position is responsible for assisting the Western Region Ecologist with the conservation and management of nongame wildlife, primarily of birds and mammals and their habitats, including rare, threatened and endangered species, primarily within the western region of Maryland on Wildlife Management Areas and other state lands. This work requires familiarity with those species and their habitats, as well as the environmental threats to specific ecosystems and species, in order to determine actions needed to abate the threats and conserve priority species and the natural communities and ecosystems that support them. A general familiarity and experience with numerous natural areas and other properties throughout the region as well as habitat management and restoration techniques will be essential to fulfill this mission. The incumbent must work with staff of various government agencies, private conservation organizations, and academia to carry out conservation and management actions. A creative, problem-solving approach is often required to resolve the frequent conflicts inherent in managing human interactions with natural ecosystems.

POSITION DUTIES

The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service’s Natural Heritage Program is seeking a Natural Resources Biologist III team member who will assist the Program’s Western Regional Ecologist with the conservation and management of nongame wildlife with an emphasis on rare, threatened, and endangered nongame birds and small mammals and the habitats that support them. Work will occur primarily on state lands and will include some work on private lands. Duties will include the inventory, monitoring, and research of rare species populations, assisting in developing plans and implementing conservation actions to undertake necessary management and restoration activities in support of nongame birds and mammals and their habitats, especially on Wildlife Management Areas and other state properties, and providing biological information to public land managers and private landowners to ensure the protection of nongame birds and mammals and the natural communities that support them. Duties also include responding to inquiries from the public as well as working with conservation partners, the media, universities, and the general public to expand public understanding of, and appreciation for, biodiversity conservation, rare and unique natural resources, and Maryland ecosystems.

The incumbent will work with staff of various government agencies, private conservation organizations, academia, and private landowners to carry out conservation and management actions. A creative, problem-solving approach is often required to resolve the conflicts inherent in managing human interactions with natural ecosystems. 

This work requires familiarity and experience with nongame birds and mammals and the natural communities that support them in western Maryland, and with habitat management and restoration techniques. Familiarity with the environmental threats to these species and natural communities will be required in order to determine actions needed to abate the threats and conserve priority species and the natural communities and ecosystems that support them. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Four years of professional experience conducting research and analysis in the fields of biology, biochemistry, environmental science, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management or zoology and four years of experience in performing professional biological work in the field of natural resources management.

Notes: 
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental aquaculture, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology or physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management, zoology, or a natural resources management related field of study from an accredited college or university and four years of experience in performing professional biological work in the field of natural resources management for the required experience. 
2. Candidates may substitute graduate education beyond a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a natural resources related field of study as described above at the rate of 15 graduate credit hours for one year of experience for up to two years of the required experience. 
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the wildlife biology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • At least three years of experience with research, monitoring, or field surveys of nongame wildlife with an emphasis on birds and small mammals native to Maryland and the habitats that support them. 
  • At least one year of experience developing, reviewing, and/or implementing habitat management or restoration plans for rare natural communities or species of concern. 
  • Knowledge of the natural areas, plants, and animals, including rare species, of western Maryland.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

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

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

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.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly 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 at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day. 

If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application before the announcement deadline or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Adriana Parravano at Adriana.Parravano@maryland.gov.

Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted.

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.



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