Bird Recovery Specialist

Description

Wildlife Biologist 2 - Bird Recovery Specialist (3-Year Limited Term; extension based on program success)

Salary : $52,851.00 - $80,372.00 Annually

Location: Dauphin County, PA

Job Type: Civil Service Limited Term Full-Time

Department: Game Commission

Job Number: CS-2022-24542-62120

Closing: 7/6/2022 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 62120

Position Number: 50272734

Union: AFSCME

Bargaining Unit: B4

Pay Group: ST07

Bureau/Division Code: 00234310

Bureau/Division: Bureau of Wildlife Management

Worksite Address: 2001 Elmerton Avenue

City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 17110

Contact Name: Sean Murphy

Contact Email: semurphy@pa.gov

THE POSITION

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is looking to hire a Wildlife Biologist 2 - Bird Recovery Specialist to coordinate the implementation of statewide recovery actions for Pennsylvania priority bird species.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

• Conducts all essential functions of a Wildlife Biologist 2 in serving as project leader in planning and implementing priority bird recovery programming, which includes data analysis, research, management, and monitoring as needed.
• Works with Division colleagues to prioritize species for recovery implementation, develop and refine best management practices, and actively monitor species' response to recovery actions.
• Works with Division colleagues to identify highest-priority actions and sites for recovery implementation in each Region, based upon specific species, suites, and habitats of interest.
• Collaborates with Region Wildlife Management Supervisors to create cross-discipline species' recovery teams, comprised of PGC Region biologists, land managers, and relevant technical experts to plan and implement highest-priority recovery actions across sites.
• Collaborates with colleagues in the Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management to develop recovery approaches and best management practices that are feasible for integration into Game Lands management operations.
• Coordinates statewide bird recovery actions with a focus on initiating and testing recovery implementation techniques.
• Refines best management practices through an adaptive management process based on species' response to management.
• Collaborates with Mammal Recovery biologist to identify opportunities and recovery approaches with multi-taxa benefits.
• Ensures Region staff are continually updated on developments involving priority species, sites, and best management practices to ensure integration of information into the Comprehensive Game Lands Planning Process.
• Collaborates with ongoing statewide initiatives in PGC such as: the wetland habitat improvement initiative via water level management; Game Lands Capstone projects involving large-scale conversion of land use to benefit priority wildlife; active initiatives to create high quality early successional habitat, and refining best management practices to improve habitat quality of large-scale grasslands.
• Coordinates, develops, and conducts field tours at priority sites to communicate best management practices and desired future condition of habitats, to respond to questions from land managers, to discuss needed approvals, logistics, and budgets, and to develop pre- and post-treatment monitoring approaches.
• Assists in coordination of site-level logistics if requested by Region staff. This may include assisting Region personnel with identifying scope of work needed for contracting, specific logistics of recovery activities, and confirming that contracted recovery activities were done properly prior to PGC paying contractors.
• Coordinates and trains PGC staff in the collection of pre- and post-treatment monitoring data, which may include standardized auditory and visual surveys, use of autonomous recording units, and other methods appropriate for breeding, wintering, or migrating birds.
• Identifies barriers to recovery implementation in terms of budget, staffing, resources, and/or communication issues to inform adaptive program development.
• Works with Regions and Bureau of Wildlife Management colleagues to gather all state and federal approvals needed for recovery implementation.
• Presents detailed recovery protocols and metrics to guide implementation by non-PGC land managers, landowners, NGOs, and agency personnel beyond the PGC. Documents all recovery actions taken, and alignment with recovery plans.
• Documents issues with site condition and access, species response, and management techniques that may be inhibiting species response, to inform adaptive recovery management and planning.
• Designs exploratory projects to help identify drivers or inhibitors of population response.
• Collates and analyzes all Region pre- and post-treatment monitoring data to assess species' response to recovery implementation.
• Reviews monitoring data to develop recommendations regarding species and site prioritization, recovery actions, refining best management practices, and necessary program improvements to further adaptive management of populations.
• Regularly reports findings in writing and in oral presentations to Region recovery teams and other relevant Executive and field staff. Presents project updates and scientific papers in regional and national meetings, technical committees, and publications.
• Produces Game Commission Annual Reports in accordance with deadlines.
• Represents agency as a bird recovery expert at inter-agency meetings, hearings, and technical meetings as needed.
• Works with colleagues in the Bureaus of Wildlife Management and Wildlife Habitat Management to avoid, minimize, or mitigate impacts to priority species arising from Game Lands management activities.
• Prepares and conducts training on recovery procedures, best management practices, state and federal regulations, and other programs relating to bird recovery.
• Maintains a working knowledge of relevant environmental laws such as the Pennsylvania Game& Wildlife Code; the Pennsylvania Game Commission Policy Manual; the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Strategic Plan, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Code; Chapters 93, 96, 102, 105,and 106 of Title 25 of the Pennsylvania Code; the Clean Streams Law; The Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973; The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; The Migratory Bird Treaty Act; the National Environmental Policy Act, and other relevant statutes.
• Maintains high-level technical knowledge of the Pennsylvania State Wildlife Action Plan, the Conservation Opportunity Area Tool, and other implementation and planning tools of the Game Commission.
• Follows all Commonwealth and Game Commission rules, regulations, and policies in the performance of all duties.
• Maintains accurate records and generates weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and annual reports of time and activity, program outputs and outcomes, travel expenses, and itinerary, as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by Section Supervisor, Division Chief, or Bureau Director.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment.

Work hours are 7:45 am to 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday, with a 45-minute lunch.

Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS
 Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

One year as a Wildlife Biologist 1; or

A Master's Degree with a major in Wildlife Management and one year experience as a wildlife biologist; or

A Bachelor's Degree with a major in Wildlife Management, and a minimum of three years experience in wildlife management research.

Necessary Special Requirement:  Possession of a valid Pennsylvania automobile operator's license.

Other Requirements:

You must pass the test to meet the Minimum Experience and Training Requirements.

PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.

You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

Submit an online application at
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/pabureau/promotionaljobs.

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans: 

Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

 
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

 
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position.  No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. 

Your score is valid for this specific posting only.

You must provide complete and accurate information or:

your score may be lower than deserved.

you may be disqualified.

You may only apply/test once for this posting.

Your results will be provided via email.

Job Information

Job ID: 64056591

Location:
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States

Position Title: 3-Year Limited Term Wildlife Biologist 2 - Bird Recovery Specialist

Company Name For Job: PA Game Commission

Occupation: Wildlife Biologist

Salary: $52,851.00 - $80,372.00 (Yearly Salary)