Make a Difference in Oregon’s Natural Resources!

ODFW Mission: To protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

• This position is in the Marine Resources Program (MRP) of the Fish division with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The preferred located for this position is Corvallis, but we will consider locating the position in Newport or Salem.

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.

• If you are hired, you will become part of the State’s management team.

• Pay and benefits on all job postings may change without notice.

• You must submit your application online. Paper applications will not be accepted.

Join the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as the agency’s technical expert and specialist for marine mammals. The scope of work includes assessment and monitoring of marine mammal populations and management of their interactions with human activities, including ocean and river sport and commercial fisheries, wildlife habitat and private property, and shoreline/nearshore resource exploitation and development, and management of their interactions with other fish and wildlife species, particularly salmonids and other fish species of concern. This position provides recommendations for all marine mammal management actions and research activities within the management jurisdiction of the State, as well as provides recommendations on all federal marine mammal regulations and management. Major duties and responsibilities are to:

• Perform supervisory duties over program staff including: recruitment, assigning and reviewing work assignments, scheduling, preparing performance evaluations, reviewing timesheet, administering discipline and reward, and coaching and mentoring employees. Develop program plans and schedules. Establish and monitor program grants and budgets. Recognize value of individual and cultural differences; create a work environment where individuals’ differences are valued. Consistently treat customers, stakeholders/partners, co-workers with dignity and respect. Set and implement safety guidelines for complex and challenging field operations.

• Represent agency interests, perspectives and policies with respect to marine mammal issues internally and externally at multiple levels. Serve as ODFW liaison to other agencies in Oregon, and to agencies of other states and the federal government on marine mammal issues of concern to ODFW.  Provide technical information and interpretation on projects, policies, laws, and regulations to staff, the Commission, user groups, the public, state and federal legislators, and others.

• Plan and design a research program to address issues and problems of marine mammals in Oregon, to include assessment and monitoring of population status and trends, food habits and foraging behavior, interactions with fish resources, fisheries and other human activities. Develop and implement cooperative research arrangements with other west coast states, with academic institutions, and with federal agencies. Develop research concepts, proposals for funding, and budgets for projects. Complete or direct staff to complete sampling and assessment of mammal mortality in fisheries and collect biological samples to examine genetic stock characteristics and population disease parameters. Analyze, interpret and evaluate research data to determine overall program success; provide review of internal and external mammal research to staff at all levels in the agency, to staff of other state/federal agencies and to the public.

• Prepare formal reports and recommendations; draft, edit, and finalize agency reports as well as papers for presentations and publication. Written and verbal communication will be subject to close public scrutiny and will need to be executed with skilled diplomacy and tact. Develop program and policy recommendations for MRP Program Management and Fish Division. Represent Department in all reporting venues. Prepare written technical and non-technical reports and professional articles describing marine mammal work plans, research results, and policy recommendations. Prepare and present reports to the state and federal legislatures, as required. Work with Information and Education staff to prepare press releases describing program activities and results.  Act as an agency contact to news media concerning marine mammal issues.

Working Conditions

• Required to travel (sometimes for extended periods) to participate in task force/advisory panel meetings, (two to five days/month) and research planning and field research activities (up to 10 consecutive work weeks). Must participate in field research activities outdoors, in boats and aircraft, at all times of year, in various weather conditions.

• This position requires a Boater Education Card obtained through the Oregon State Marine Board. There are some exceptions to this (e.g., Coast Guard Boat Operator License or commercial fishing license). For further information, access the Web site at www.boatoregon.com. On your application, be sure to indicate in the Certificates & Licenses section if you have a card. If the selected applicant does not possess a card, s/he must obtain it before completion of the trial service period as a condition of continued employment.

• This position requires Hazardous Waste Operations Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training certification to respond to hazardous material spill events. On your application, be sure to indicate in the Certificates & Licenses section if you have this certification. If the selected applicant does not possess this certification, s/he must obtain it within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.

• This position requires occasional use of a firearm to deliver immobilization drugs and projecting nets for wildlife capture, euthanizing injured or sick wildlife, killing or hazing nuisance animals and birds, collecting animals for research or other studies, and protection from dangerous animals in close quarters. The successful candidate will be subject to an initial criminal history background check with fingerprinting to verify s/he may legally possess a firearm before using a firearm, and will be subject to annual criminal history checks thereafter. Continued employment is contingent upon passing the criminal history background check.

• This position has been designated as sensitive in that the incumbent in this position has access to confidential/fiscal-related information. The successful candidate will be subject to an initial criminal history background check with fingerprinting and will be subject to annual criminal history checks thereafter. Continued employment is contingent upon passing the criminal history background check.

• Requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day. This includes working at all hours and workdays in excess of eight hours.

NOTE: You must have a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record. 
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will check driving records for in-state finalists. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current driving record for review. 

NOTE: Within three-days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.

 
Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program or closely related program involved in the management of coastal, marine or estuarine natural resources. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a fish, wildlife or closely related program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND 

• A Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Bachelor’s degree in a marine science or marine resource management program with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological coursework, or three additional years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish, wildlife or closely related program.

• One year of experience must have included leadwork or supervisory duties.

A Master’s degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Master’s degree in biological/ecological or other marine sciences or marine resource management program will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

A Doctorate degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Doctorate degree in biological/ecological sciences or marine resource management program will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Applicants who have obtained a Master’s degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The Master’s degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications.

Your application materials must clearly describe how you meet these qualifications. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported in the “Work Experience” section of your Oregon E-Recruit application.

Note: You are strongly encouraged to attach a copy of all transcripts (if education is required to qualify) in order to receive credit for college degrees or coursework. If your transcripts are not attached, you will be required to provide a copy of your official or original transcripts (online are acceptable) during the selection process that show your name, the name/address of the institution, coursework with passing grades, and degree conferred (including date) to validate education, if necessary.

Requested Skills
Preference will be given to applicants with the following experience: 

• Pinniped biology and ecology
• Leading teams of biologists and technicians
• Managing complex projects
• Managing field work on marine mammals
• Advanced oral and written communication skills
• Experience dealing with controversial resource management issues
• Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to marine mammals

Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the “Work Experience” section in your Oregon E-Recruit application or you may not be considered for this position.
 
Resumes will not replace the completed “Work Experience” section in your online application. You may be disqualified if your work experience does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.
 
Only complete applications will be considered. Be sure to answer all supplemental questions and attach all required documents. Late submissions will not be accepted. If you need assistance with adding attachments to your profile or to a specific job posting please go to www.oregonjobs.org and click on frequently asked questions under Resources. This quick help guide can be found under Application Process – Completing and Submitting an Application (bullet about half way down).
 
Note: A resume (text or attached) will not be reviewed for work experience unless stated in the job posting that it is a required attachment.
 
To apply, follow the “Apply” link above and complete the Oregon Employment Application online. You must click the ‘Confirm’ button at the end of the application by the posted close date to be considered for the job posting. All application materials (including transcripts) must be received by the closing date/date posted on this job posting.
 
YOU MUST APPLY ONLINE BY 11:59 P.M. ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018.

Interviews: Applicants whose responses most closely match the requested skills and needs for this position will be invited to an interview. If called for an interview, applicants will be asked to sign a reference authorization and release form at the time of interview.

Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.