Wetland Biologist

Title: Wetland Biologist

State Role Title: Scientist II

Hiring Range:  Salary starting at $60,000 (salary to commensurate with experience)

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept of Wildlife Resources

Location: DGIF Headquarters

Agency Website: https://www.jobs.virginia.gov/home

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

To serve as a regional expert for the wetlands program in Virginia. Prioritizes, coordinates, and implements wetland management, restoration, and conservation monitoring, and education activities among Department staff, other federal, state agencies, and NGO's. Provides technical consultation on wetlands, carbon storage, and waterfowl management issues to federal, state, and local government agencies; private landowners, consultants; conservation organizations; and other interested parties. Provides site identification design, permit clearance, construction bidding, oversight, and development of wetland/site management plans. Provide guidance and technical assistance with grant writing and coordination for wetland restoration and land acquisitions.

Minimum Qualifications

Comprehensive knowledge of life histories and ecology of wetland wildlife species, including habitat associations and management requirements; and of wildlife management and research techniques and practices including data collection and analysis, habitat management principles and practices, and technical report preparation and publication. Demonstrated ability to design wetland projects to maximize carbon storage capabilities. Ability to work independently and show initiative in enhancing the effectiveness of the position; to supervise the work of others where necessary; to work effectively with the Department's professional and support staff, staff of other agencies, and with individuals in the public and private sectors; and ability to write, type, organize, and present information with an effective command of the English language. Significant expertise with Windows, Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; Demonstrated competence to apply technical/scientific knowledge and management principles/practices. Knowledge of engineering, water control structure design, and manipulation of water to complete successful restoration projects.

Additional Considerations

Experience and education in wetlands ecology, wildlife or fisheries biology, with sufficient professional experience to document attainment of required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Professional experience in wetland restoration, management, research, and experience with standardized habitat or species evaluation procedures are highly desirable. Virginia driver's license. Professional certification by TWS, AFS, or SWS is desirable or capable of meeting requirements as a Certified Wildlife Biologist. Professional experience in GIS site assessment and design, CAD design, environmental permitting, land survey, construction administration, and erosion and sediment control is preferred. A commercial pesticide applicators license is also preferred. Must be able to obtain a commercial pesticide applicator's license within 1 year of employment. Possession of a VA Prescribed Burn Manager and S130-190 Wildland Firefighter with a moderate work capacity test (WCT) fitness test required within 1 year of employment

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

“ Note: This is a Restricted Position with annual funding for five years from the date of hire. The position eligibility may be extended if additional funding is granted beyond that time frame, but this isn’t guaranteed.”

Contact Information

Name: Marlo Gibson

Phone: 804-367-0243

Email: careers@dwr.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.