BIOLOGIST 3

State of Nevada; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Holidays

PERS retirement

Deferred compensation

No Nevada state income tax

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Longevity pay

Job summary

State of Nevada seeks a Biologist 3 in the Carson City office to administer the state protected flora program, review permits, and oversee contracts and grants related to flora throughout the state.

The role requires reviewing NEPA and State Permitting processes, establishing performance bonds, and inspecting projects for compliance with approved plans. Occasional travel up to 50% may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, wildlife management or closely related field and three years of professional wildlife management experience, or two years as Biologist II in Nevada State service, or an equivalent combination.

Responsibilities

• Supervise wildlife, botanical and habitat studies to protect Nevada's wildlife and resources.
• Organize and implement fish, wildlife, botanical and habitat surveys; collect data with various techniques.
• Analyze data to calculate population status and develop management recommendations.
• Provide data for land management planning; prepare technical reports and present to boards or commissions.
• Coordinate with state, federal and local partners and communicate findings to the public.

Skills

Technical writing

Public speaking

Data analysis

Field surveys

Ecology knowledge

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or wildlife management

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Database management

Job description

• No Nevada state income tax.

Job Summary

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (NDCNR), protects, manages, and enhances the State's resources to provide the highest quality of life for Nevada's citizens and visitors.

The NDCNR with over 900 employees consists of the Director's Office and the following divisions and programs: Environmental Protection, Forestry, State Lands, State Parks, Water Resources, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Heritage, State Historic Preservation Office, Off-Highway Vehicles, Sagebrush Ecosystem, and the Conservation Districts Program.

The Department also provides support staff to the Nevada Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and has responsibility for numerous Boards, Commissions, and Councils.

The Department has locations and/or provides program services in every community of the State.

The Division of Forestry (NDF) is recruiting for a Biologist 3 located in our Carson City office.

The Biologist 3 position administers the state protected flora program, and is responsible to, administer, monitor, inspect, and evaluate Section 6 Grants, Critically Endangered Plant Permits, scopes of work, executed contracts, and requests for proposals as they relate to protected flora throughout the state.

The position is responsible for reviewing NEPA and State Permitting processes.

This position also establishes and collects performance bonds to ensure contractor performance, resource protection and is responsible to inspect all permitted activities for compliance with approved plans.

Up to 50% of travel throughout the state may be occasionally required.

Responsibilities include to pursue range, forest, and watershed actions that result in the accomplishment of the agency mission as allowed under NRS 472, 527, 528 or other applicable federal, state, and local laws and policies.

Provide technical assistance to State, Tribal, Local Governments, NDF employees, and private landowners on natural resource matters through on-site consultations, educational materials, or workshops and/or coordinate with NDF and other agency staff.

Provides professional and specialist grade knowledge and expertise in the areas of natural resource management, vegetation ecology, endangered/protected/threatened/sensitive species.

Biologists conduct fisheries, wildlife, botanical and/or habitat management projects and research studies including data collection, analysis and interpretation; develop and implement project proposals and work plans; prepare recommendations; and participate in public relations activities.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in biology, wildlife management or closely related field and three years of professional wildlife management experience such as conducting research studies including data collection, analysis and interpretation; development and implementation of project proposals for fisheries, wildlife and/or habitat management projects; OR two years of experience as a Biologist II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Supervise and participate in wildlife, botanical and habitat studies to protect and preserve the State’s wildlife and natural resources; conduct wildlife surveys and inventories to determine a population’s composition, productivity, reproductive status and condition in order to develop recommendations regarding hunting seasons, stocking practices and bag limitsor determine conservation status.

Organize and implement fish, wildlife, botanical and habitat surveys; identify survey areas and schedule required personnel, equipment and supplies; collect data using a variety of techniques and equipment such as field observation, helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft, electroshocking, population marking, tagging, angler/hunter questionnaires, bag checks and creel surveys.

Analyze data by applying mathematical and statistical formulas to calculate population status; prepare species distribution and density maps; evaluate trend data and document the status and management needs of fish, wildlife, botanical and habitat resources; prepare species and habitat management recommendations and technical reports.

Provide survey data and analysis as input to land management planning processes; review and evaluate established and proposed land, water and resource use documents; prepare correspondence and technical reports concerning the issues and consequences of proposed actions; appear before regulatory, governing and advisory boards and commissions to explain and defend the agency’s position and answer questions.

Manipulate fish and wildlife populations and habitats by introducing species into suitable habitats consistent with biological and social constraints; bait and trap, tranquilize, radio collar or band wildlife and transport to selected locations; modify habitats in order to meet resource needs and associated uses; monitor released animals to assess project results.

Investigate and assess damage caused by wildlife upon private property and public lands; recommend appropriate courses of action to mitigate or resolve the problem.

Draft species management plans; develop season and harvest recommendations and implement related regulations; analyze and evaluate data, reports and proposals; make program recommendations in accordance with consumptive, non-consumptive and recreational needs of the public and the preservation of wildlife resources and habitats.

Coordinate State and regional level activities with other federal and State agencies, special interest groups and the public; represent the department and provide information to the public and governmental entities; make presentations; appear before governmental and regulatory bodies; prepare press releases and interact with the media; may serve on committees for the Board of Wildlife Commissioners.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under general supervision, incumbents perform the duties outlined above. This is the journey level in the series.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Working knowledge of:

principles of ecology required to analyze the effect of environmental changes and land use practices on specific fish, wildlife and plant species; survey techniques and equipment; statistical concepts and principles used to analyze data and develop a management strategy; methodology and equipment required to capture, restrain and transport wild animals; pharmacology and use of a variety of drugs administered to capture and treat animals; animal anatomy and physiology; operation of hand and power tools used in construction of wildlife enhancement projects.

Ability to:

write clear and concise technical reports and recommendations; present information to various audiences concerning ecological relationships, division policies and recommendations, and wildlife control; maintain and operate various types of equipment such as nets, clover traps, tranquilizer equipment, gill net, and others; operate and maintain specialized equipment such as 4-wheel drive vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, optical instruments, animal marking and tagging equipment; conduct surveys from the ground, water or air; operate a computer including word processing, spreadsheet, database management and other software; organize and prioritize work assignments.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Benefits Include

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF).

• State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The Following Are Legal Holidays

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11........................................ Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25........................................ Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255