AGFC BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN I

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; Brinkley (AR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) seeks a Biological Technician I to support forest and fish propagation, fire prevention, cultivation, and harvesting activities across wildlife management areas in Arkansas. This role interfaces with division staff to maintain WMAs and ensure compliance with laws and agency policy.

Ideal candidates will have a high school diploma with field wildlife experience; preferred are a bachelor’s in wildlife/fisheries management, two years in agriculture/forestry,

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with two years field wildlife or forestry experience.
• Must possess a valid Arkansas driver’s license.
• Within one year, obtain a Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license.
• Preferred: Bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management plus two years’ experience and Class A CDL agriculture equipment operation.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planning, preparation, and implementation of wildlife habitat management and maintenance projects on wildlife management areas.
• Conducts wildlife and habitat management activities on WMAs.
• Monitors and operates WMAs infrastructure (levees, roads, water control structures, etc.).
• Complies with state and federal regulations (fire safety, pesticide application, vehicle operation, etc.).
• Collects biological data and enters data for wildlife monitoring and research.
• Operates and maintains wildlife management equipment (seed drills, planters, mowers, ATVs, boats, etc.).
• Supports prescribed burn program and assists with prescribed burns; physical fitness requirements apply.

Skills

Wildlife management knowledge

Plant and animal identification

Microsoft Office & Google Suite

Equipment operation safety

Education

Bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management

Two years field experience in agriculture/forestry

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

AGFC BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN I - AGFC BIOLOGICAL TECHNICIAN I
Position number: 22096013

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus two years of field experience in wildlife or fisheries management or forestry or land management, or a related area.

OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES CHIEF.

Preferred Education and/or Experience

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management or a related field, plus two (2) years' experience in an agriculture- or forestry-related field, and Class A CDL agriculture equipment operation experience.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

• Knowledge of the procedures and methods used in wildlife management.
• Knowledge of the equipment and techniques used to maintain buildings, grounds and equipment.
• Knowledge of wildlife biology and the associated techniques used in wildlife management. Knowledge of agricultural methods and basic land laws.
• Ability to identify common plants and animals found in Arkansas. Ability to collect biological samples.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.
• Ability to operate and maintain wildlife management equipment safely and effectively.

Preferred Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills

• Ability to collect biological wildlife data, prepare reports, maintain files, and present oral and written information
• Knowledge of food plot cultivation and maintenance activities
• Knowledge of timber marking, wildlife stand improvement, land surveying, boundary marking, fire prevention, control burning, and other related forestry techniques
• Knowledge of bottomland hardwood management
• Knowledge of moist soil management techniques
• Knowledge of native warm-season grass planting/management techniques
• Ability to operate wildlife check stations, collect samples of wildlife, prepare reports, maintain files, and present oral and written information
• Ability to operate and maintain wildlife/farming equipment
• Basic computer skills to submit reports and communicate with regional staff
• Experience using ArcGIS software
• National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) certified Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) with knowledge of prescribed fire.

Position Location

City: Brinkley

Office: Brinkley Regional Office

Division: Wildlife Management

Job Summary

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Biological Technician I is responsible for forest and fish propagation, fire prevention, cultivation, and harvesting activities, as well as maintaining a wildlife or fisheries management area. This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.

Typical Functions

• Assists program coordinators, habitat biologists, and field biologists in the planning, preparation, and implementation of wildlife habitat management and maintenance projects on wildlife management areas
• Conducts wildlife and habitat management activities on wildlife management areas.
• Monitors and operates wildlife management areas infrastructure, including levees, roads, parking lots, water control structures, waterways, campsites, etc.
• Conduct operations in compliance with state and federal regulations such as fire safety, accident prevention, vehicle operation, pesticide application and waterway drainage.
• Monitors assigned wildlife management areas for invasive species and assists in control efforts.
• Collects or assists in collecting biological samples and entering data. Collects biological data for wildlife monitoring and research.
• Calibrates and operates wildlife management equipment, such as seed drills, planters, weed eaters, chainsaws, lawn mowers, ATVs, boats, tractors, dozers, backhoes, rollers, sprayers and others as necessary.
• Serves as a member of the agency's prescribed burn program and assists with the implementation of prescribed burns on state-managed WMAs. Specific physical fitness demands for prescribed burning are required.
• Cleans, maintains, prepares, and supplies work areas.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Works under general supervision performing wildlife management activities
• Monitors contract activities
• Works in inclement weather under heavy physical demands
• Works outside of normal work hours to complete division and regional assignments
• Inspects forest lands for damage by insects or disease, assists in implementing plans or recommendations for control measures, and prepares plans for site preparation or improvement of planting, harvesting, marketing, or wildlife use
• Conducts or assists in researching collected samples, such as, blood, water, soil, and plant species, and examines animals and specimens to detect diseases or other problems
• Conducts agricultural and forest management activities and operation of agriculture equipment on wildlife management areas, including preparing seed beds, planting, disking, and bush hogging
• Gathers, provides, and presents general wildlife and forestry educational information to various federal, state, local health officers, community organizations, and the general public
• Assists in conducting various research projects, CWD, herd health checks, quail surveys, wood duck/dove banding
• Prepares reports on wildlife findings, conclusions, and recommendations
• Cleans, maintains, prepares, and supplies work areas
• Performs water level management on Green Tree Reservoirs (GTR) and moist soil units
• Operates and performs maintenance on water control structures
• Marks, maintains, and removes logs from boat trails
• Performs other duties as assigned and will assist on numerous Region II WMA's

Certificates, Licenses, or Registrations

Must possess a valid Arkansas driver’s license.

Special Job Dimensions

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Other Specific Information

• This position is required, as per the Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures and Policy, to complete a two-mile walk carrying 25 pounds in 30 minutes within the first year of employment
• This position is required to obtain a Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator's license within 1 year of employment.
• This position may be required to obtain a Class A Commercial Driver's License. All expenses related to obtaining this license will be paid by AGFC.

As an equal opportunity employer, the Commission will make any reasonable accommodations necessary to ensure equal employment opportunities.