Helene Restoration Coordinator (HC-65043589)

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; Wake Forest (NC); Remote; USD 64,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking a Conservation Biologist II to lead reviews of habitat and wildlife resources on forest restoration projects in western NC. The non-supervisory, time-limited role focuses on coordinating environmental reviews under a 10‑year Good Neighbor Agreement and prioritizing Hurricane Helene recovery work.

The position is home-based with field duties, requires a strong background in fisheries or wildlife science, and offers a recruitment range of

Qualifications

• Knowledge of principles and practices of fisheries or wildlife science, management, or conservation biology.
• Ability to identify fish and wildlife species of the State, their habits and habitats.
• Ability to present and review technical information both in writing and orally.
• Experience establishing and maintaining professional working relationships with biologists, partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Experience conducting fieldwork and site visits and handling field sampling equipment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate reviews on proposed infrastructure and restoration projects on Pisgah and Nantahala national forests.
• Assist with prioritization of Hurricane Helene-related projects and ensure timely reviews.
• Maintain consistent working relationships with partners, stakeholders, and agency staff.
• Evaluate project impacts on wildlife resources such as habitat, streams, wetlands, and riparian areas.

Skills

Knowledge of fisheries wildlifescience

Wildlife species identification

Technical writing & oral communication

Stakeholder relationship management

Fieldwork & site visits

Education

Bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management, fisheries science, zoology, or related bioscience

Job description

Agency Wildlife Resource Commission Division Inland Fisheries Job Classification Title Conservation Biologist II (NS) Position Number 65043589 Grade NC18

About Us The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is the state government agency created to conserve and sustain the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The NCWRC is the regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of North Carolina’s fishing, hunting, trapping, and boating laws. The agency has an operational budget of approximately $100 million and employs approximately 700 full‑time staff and 100 seasonal temporary staff across the state, including wildlife and fisheries biologists and technicians, wildlife law enforcement officers, wildlife educators, communication specialists, and customer service, information technology and administrative professionals.

The NCWRC Mission is to conserve North Carolina’s wildlife resources and their habitats and provide programs and opportunities that allow hunters, anglers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy wildlife‑associated recreation.

Description of Work

The Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) is charged by General Statute 113-132 with the management, regulation, protection, and conservation of wildlife resources and inland fisheries in North Carolina. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, western North Carolina’s forests, watersheds, and wildlife habitats sustained significant ecological damage. In response, WRC has established a Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) with US Forest Service (USFS), along with multiple other conservation organizations, through 2035 which will support the Helene Restoration Division and additional agency positions including this one to lead a comprehensive, multi‑year effort focused on ecological stabilization, species recovery, and long‑term resilience.

The Division of Habitat Conservation provides technical guidance to public and private agencies, commissions, universities, businesses and individuals requesting assistance for protecting, enhancing, evaluating and managing wildlife resources and their habitats. The Division often works in a clearinghouse role by coordinating agency comments on resources related to every portion of WRC’s strategic plan. This coordination allows the Commission to be aware of opportunities to conserve, enhance and restore habitats and wildlife resources. Additionally, the Division responds to stakeholder inquiries with technical and scientific information and is a resource for fact gathering to support planning and data collection needs. This nonsupervisory position is responsible for coordination of reviews on proposed infrastructure and restoration projects on the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests. This position will assist in the temporary uptick of the projects due to the new, reimbursable 10‑year GNA and needed coordination related to environmental compliance. This coordinator will also ensure Hurricane Helene‑related projects receive priority and triaged reviews that are above and beyond existing staff. The Coordinator will maintain and develop consistent and reliable working relationships with partners, stakeholders, federal and state agency staff, WRC district and regional staff. Another role of this position is to maintain consistency of recommendations across all Helene restoration project reviews through collaboration within the agency. Initially, this position will ensure the inclusion of wildlife conservation considerations in the planning process which will improve opportunities to include benefits for wildlife. The limited area of responsibility will allow the coordinator to gain a working knowledge of the aquatic and terrestrial resources present on the Forest. When reviewing projects, the coordinator is expected to evaluate project impacts to wildlife resources including but not limited to the following areas:

• Existing habitat quantity and quality
• Habitat alteration and destruction
• Stream conditions
• Habitat barriers
• Stream hydrology and morphology
• Degradation and conversion of wetlands and aquatic habitat
• Wetland functions
• Forest values
• Stormwater management
• Riparian fringes
• Recreational access

This position will be in a home‑based office and will be expected to work in both inside and outside conditions for extended periods of time. Normal work schedule will be 8-5, M-F, longer workdays and occasional overnight travel (including multiple‑day trips to the same area) are sometimes necessary.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• TIME LIMITED position that ends September 2035.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of fisheries or wildlife science, management, or conservation biology.
• Ability to identify fish and wildlife species of the State, their habits and habitats.
• Ability to present and review technical information both in writing and orally.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective professional working relationships with experts such as biologists, partners, stakeholders, and general public.
• Experience conducting fieldwork and site visits as well as being able to handle field sampling equipment.

RECRUITMENT RANGE: $63,927 - $76,000

Minimum Education & Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (based on Classification Specs) Classification Specs | NC Office of Human Resources Some state job postings say you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail. Bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management, fisheries science, zoology, or a biological science, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in wildlife or fisheries management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

*The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer*

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is committed to maintaining a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. NCWRC strives to ensure that all employment practices are implemented in a manner that is equitable to all applicants and employees.

*Degrees must be received from institutions appropriately accredited by the U.S. Department of Education*

If you have started a college degree program but have not completed it – please document the number of Semester CREDIT HOURS you have completed in the Education section of your application.

State Employee Benefits We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family‑friendly benefits. Learn more about employee resources, safety, health and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by visiting the NC OSHR website.NC OSHR: Benefits

Employment Eligibility It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E‑Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

For More Information For more information about the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, visit the WRC website. Home Page | NC Wildlife CONTACT INFORMATION: NC Wildlife Resources Commission Human Resources Office Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone] EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.