Avian Biologist

Agency: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Location: Elkins, West Virginia

Term: 4 years

Scope of work:

Under supervision of the State Ornithologist, conduct professional-level conservation work related to implementation of the State Wildlife Action Plan. Employee will have significant latitude to set priorities and work schedules, and will be expected to perform complex duties with limited oversight. Employee will be expected to primarily telework from a home office in Elkins, WV.

Core duties:

• Conduct intensive field surveys for SGCN using a variety of established techniques, including deployment of autonomous recording units;
• Conduct intensive field monitoring for SGCN such as Breeding Bird Surveys and Christmas Bird Counts, raptor nest monitoring, secretive marshbird monitoring, and targeted monitoring of select species;
• Coordinate nest box programs for, e.g., barn owl and American kestrel;
• Provide technical assistance to private landowners and assist partners in habitat management activities on private lands for, e.g., Cerulean and Golden-winged Warblers;
• Develop and maintain databases housing avian occurrence and abundance data, capture data from multiple sources, and prepare and submit reports;
• Prepare and summarize large datasets for submission to, e.g., AKN and eBird
• Assist agency and partners in deployment and maintenance of Motus network towers;
• Participate in the WV Private Lands Working Group, Conservation Focus Area working groups, and the Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture technical committee;
• Assist with State Wildlife Action Plan development;
• Present educational programs to the public, answer bird-related public inquiries, and assist WVDNR staff with bird-related publicity activities;
• Prepare and submit grant and other periodic performance reports

Preferred qualifications:

• Graduate degree in wildlife biology or related field, with a focus on birds
• Knowledge of data management and analysis tools and concepts
• Knowledge of MS Office, ArcGIS, R, and other software tools
• Experience with diverse field survey/monitoring techniques and equipment
• Experience with project management and coordination
• Experience with scientific writing and public outreach and education
• Knowledge of silvicultural practices, habitat management techniques, and conservation implementation
• Ability to identify by sight and sound all bird species native to West Virginia
• Ability to identify forest communities and common plants of West Virginia
• Ability to conduct intensive fieldwork that may require irregular work schedules, long days, and overnight travel

Terms and compensation:

• Compensation is $45,000/year
• This position’s term period is 1/1/23 to 12/31/26 (4 years), with a possibility of extension
• Enrollment in 401K retirement plan
• Two weeks of leave/year; state employee holidays
• Health insurance is not provided
• Requires use of personal vehicle; mileage reimbursed at federal rate (agency vehicle may be available on case-case basis)

Application deadline: November 30, 2022

To apply (or for questions): 

Please send cover letter and resume to Richard Bailey; Richard.S.Bailey@wv.gov