BIOLOGIST 3

State of Nevada; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Holidays

Retirement (PERS)

Deferred compensation

No state income tax

Public service loan forgiveness

Longevity pay

Job summary

Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Game Management Division is hiring Biologist positions to conduct fisheries, wildlife and habitat projects, collect data, and develop management recommendations. The incumbents will work with field staff across multiple survey methods and contribute to public relations activities.

Responsibilities include coordinating with Game Division staff, monitoring populations, collecting samples, and assisting other biologists with big and upland game surveys using

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, wildlife management or closely related field plus 3 years of wildlife management experience; or 2 years as Biologist II in Nevada State service; or equivalent.
• Experience with data collection, analysis and reporting in wildlife projects.
• Ability to coordinate with field staff and agencies; travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and participate in wildlife, botanical and habitat studies to inform harvest and conservation decisions.
• Organize and implement surveys using field and aerial techniques; collect data with various methods.
• Analyze data and prepare reports, maps, and recommendations for land and resource management.
• Provide input to land management planning processes and communicate agency positions to boards.
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies and the public; present findings and appearances before boards.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

Ecology knowledge

Survey techniques

Statistics

Pharmacology

Animal handling

Equipment operation

Data analysis

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or wildlife management

Three years of professional wildlife management experience

Two years as Biologist II in Nevada State service

Tools

GPS devices

Field sampling equipment

Job description

Job Summary

Nevada Department of Wildlife Game Management Division is recruiting for Biologist position(s). Biologists conduct fisheries, wildlife and/or habitat management projects, data collection, analysis, and interpretation; develop and implement project proposals and work plans; prepare recommendations; and participate in public relations activities. Incumbents possess a degree of knowledge and proficiency sufficient to perform work independently with little or no additional training.

Incumbent will be responsible for coordinating with Game Division and field staff to effectively and efficiently conduct both field and data management work. Population monitoring, data collection, and management of game species within their jurisdiction. Monitor wildlife for disease, recruitment, and movement, as well as collecting and transporting biological samples. Individuals are responsible for responding to Human-wildlife conflicts for predatory and non‑predatory wildlife throughout resource area and in the urban setting. Position will also assist other Area Biologists with big game and upland game surveys including helicopter surveys, ground surveys, fixed‑wing surveys, and surveys from ATV’s.

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.

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).

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.

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