Assistant Wildlife Biologist (Ecologist II)

Sowela; Fairfax, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 77,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government seeks an Assistant Wildlife Biologist to support the Wildlife Management Section in deer and Canada goose programs, wildlife surveys, and health surveillance. The role blends fieldwork with office duties, delivering outreach and coordinating with local and state partners.

Under supervision, you will collect data, prepare reports, and help educate the public on wildlife, safety, and natural resource management while supporting habitat evaluations and population

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in aquatic ecology, ecology, biology, botany, zoology, geography, environmental science, limnology, natural resource management or related field.
• Two years of experience in water quality monitoring, terrestrial ecosystem assessment and management, data analysis and reporting, bioassessments using standard protocols.

Responsibilities

• Assist in Deer Management Program operations including hunter orientations, field equipment maintenance, and sample collection.
• Assist in Canada Geese Management Program operations including egg-oiling and nest destruction for population control.
• Design and implement wildlife population surveys (e.g., birds, bats).
• Provide technical guidance for wildlife mitigation to stakeholders.
• Collect, manage, and analyze wildlife and resource monitoring data for permits and plans.
• Respond to inquiries about wildlife, identification, health, and management practices.
• Deliver public education and outreach through brochures, exhibits, and county wildlife webpages.
• Participate in public meetings and events; present educational content on wildlife and safety.

Skills

Stream ecology

Terrestrial ecology

Botany

Bioassessments

Field identification

Laboratory safety

Data analysis

Communication

Driving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is seeking an experienced ecologist to join our Wildlife Management Section in the position of Assistant Wildlife Biologist. This position supports the Wildlife Management Specialist in coordination of wildlife management activities and works collaboratively with other county, state, and federal agencies related to wildlife, natural resource management, and animal control. Under general supervision, the Assistant Wildlife Biologist conducts work which is considered full-performance level biological science duties including assisting with operations of the county’s Deer Management Program and Canada Geese Management Program; wildlife inventory and population monitoring; wildlife health surveillance; human-wildlife conflict mitigation; habitat evaluations; scientific data collection and analysis; and community outreach/education for wildlife, public safety, and natural resource management. The position will have both office and field responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Assists in operations for the Fairfax County Deer Management Program including hunter orientations and training, field equipment installation and maintenance, field-dressing of deer, jawbone aging of deer, and biological sample collection for Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance
• Assists in operations for the Fairfax County Canada Geese Management Program including conducting egg-oiling and nest destruction to reduce flock growth of resident Canada geese, collecting monitoring data, and maintaining contact databases for property owners and landowner permissions
• Assists in the selection, design and implementation of wildlife population surveys (i.e., breeding birds, bats)
• Provides technical guidance and recommendations for wildlife mitigation to internal and external stakeholders experiencing wildlife damage or human-wildlife conflicts
• Collects, manages, and analyzes wildlife and natural resource monitoring data for permit compliance and/ou r wildlife management plans
• Responds to internal and external phone calls, emails, and inquiries about human-wildlife conflicts, wildlife identification, wildlife behavior, wildlife health, and wildlife management practices
• Performs public education and outreach activities, including the development of brochures, table exhibits, and content for county wildlife webpages
• Participates in public meetings and events about the county’s wildlife management program
• Delivers educational presentations about wildlife, human-wildlife conflict, wildlife/public safety, and habitat management for various audiences
• Coordinates with the county’s animal control, health department, and state wildlife partners for collection/submission of biological samples related to wildlife health surveillance

SALARY: The starting salary offer will be in the minimum to midpoint range ($76,983.71 to $105,852.66) of the advertised compensation range and will depend on relevant skills and experience. Promotional rules apply for current Fairfax County Government employees.

SCHEDULE: Flexibility is a condition of employment. The schedule will vary depending on seasonal wildlife program needs and will require some night and weekend work.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Monitors physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the County's streams, lakes, ponds and other water bodies and/or terrestrial ecosystems and wildlife
• Participates in the development of monitoring plans, quality assurance project plans, and/or natural resource management plans
• Analyzes data and prepares monitoring reports which summarize water quality conditions of streams and/or the conditions of ecosystems
• Assesses the impacts of development and stormwater management systems on the ecological health of County streams and stream valleys and/or the impacts from human land disturbance, overabundant wildlife species, non-native invasive species and other factors on natural communities/ecosystems
• Manages watershed and stream or terrestrial resource monitoring data
• Assists in development of stormwater, watershed and/or natural resource management plans
• Assists in the selection, design and implementation of stream, wetland and/or terrestrial community, ecosystem or population restoration projects
• Responds to citizen and business community questions regarding the condition of streams and/or terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems
• Performs public outreach activities including the development of brochures, reports and web pages
• Participates in public meetings and educational programs
• Maintains contact databases

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. The knowledge, skills and abilities in the lower levels of the Ecologist class series are also required.)

• Knowledge of stream ecology, terrestrial ecology, botany, bioassessments protocols, and stream habitats;
• Knowledge of fish, plants and/or wildlife communities and field identification to the species level
• Knowledge of laboratory and field safety procedures, and the handling, storage and transfer and/or application of flammable and/or toxic chemicals
• Knowledge of stream and/or vegetative community classification methodologies
• Knowledge of personal computers, associated hardware, and networked environments for the development, storage and dissemination of environmental data
• Ability to calibrate and maintain field equipment used in water quality and natural resource monitoring
• Ability to analyze and manage complex environmental datasets using databases, spreadsheets, and statistical programs
• Ability to communicate technical and semi-technical issues effectively, both orally and in writing, to a wide range of audiences
• Ability to carry field equipment and hike long distances over rough terrain
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in aquatic ecology, ecology, biology, botany, zoology, geography, environmental science, limnology, natural resource management or related field; plus two years of experience in water quality monitoring, terrestrial ecosystem assessment and management, data analysis and reporting, bioassessments (fish, macroinvertebrates, vegetative communities, wildlife) using standard protocols, and assessments of stream and/or terrestrial habitat conditions.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

Valid Driver's License (Required at the time of application)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, driving record check and public safety background check to the satisfaction of the employer. Must have current pre-exposure rabies vaccination or obtain within three (3) months.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of progressively responsible experience in wildlife management, wildlife biology, ecology, natural resource management, or a closely related field.
• Master's Degree is preferred.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology and wildlife management practices for game and nongame species.
• Field experience with hunting and/or field dressing/processing large game.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Software and ArcGIS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, kneel, crouch, reach, crawl, lift, and handle materials with manual dexterity.
• Work requires close contact with animals.
• Work requires performing tasks in adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to operate various pieces of equipment, including four-wheel drive vehicles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and covered trailers.
• Ability to walk, negotiate or traverse property or terrain that is not level.
• Subject to random drug testing.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home, including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others. We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demographics/fairfax-county-general-overview.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY?703-222-7314. [e-mail]. EEO/AA/TTY.