Initial Posting Date:

04/18/2019Application Deadline:

05/09/2019Agency:

Department of Fish and WildlifeSalary Range:

$3,664 – $5,339Position Type:

EmployeePosition Title:

Natural Resource Specialist 2 (Assistant District Fish Biologist)Job Description:

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 with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) located in Hines.

Are you passionate about doing what’s best for fisheries and their habitat? Assist in all related functions for eastern Oregon’s Malheur Watershed District to carry out the Department’s Fish Program. 

What you will do:

• Assist the District Biologist in serving as the Department’s representative when dealing with Fish Program issues, gathering, tabulating, analyzing biological information and making management decisions or recommendations. The Assistant District Biologist will often work with the District Biologist during field work, but may work independently as a field representative for the Department at times.

• Conduct biological, fish harvest and fish habitat surveys and present findings orally or in writing depending on complexity of survey and make recommendations for population protection and management to District Biologist. Evaluate and assess habitat for the District and recommend use of use of hatchery fish for lakes and streams in District.

• Investigate water pollution in streams and lakes and provides information to proper authority for resolution. Investigate fish kills. Determine and evaluate potential impacts to fish resources from land use changes, construction, zone changes, agriculture, grazing, fill and removal of streams and wetlands and water withdrawal structures and barriers.

• Represent the department by testifying in court as expert witness, providing formal testimony of consequences of land use decisions to boards and commissions, providing expertise and technical assistance to landowners and public, negotiating corrective actions with lands and agencies as required while protecting fish and habitat, making presentations to: schools, civic organizations, special interest groups, peers, other agencies, responding to requests for information, and responding to complaints/concerns from public or other agencies. Write monthly, annual and species reports. Perform maintenance and minor repairs on equipment.

Working Conditions

• Requires working in remote locations, at times during inclement weather. Requires physical ability to travel on foot, in all types of terrain and weather. Must be willing to work alone in remote locations.

• Occasional work in aircraft, such as helicopters and small fixed wing planes.

• Respond to emergency environmental problems, such as chemical spills.

• 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.

• 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 or birds, collecting animals for research or other studies, and protection from dangerous animals in close quarters.

• 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 Work Experience Description if you have a card or a copy of your card can be attached. 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 the possession of a Public Pesticide Applicator’s License (PPAL). On your application, be sure to indicate in the Work Experience Description if you have a PPAL. If the selected applicant does not possess a PPAL, s/he must obtain within six months of hire 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 Work Experience Description if you have this certification or a copy of your certification can be attached. If the selected applicant does not possess this certification, s/he must obtain it within one year of hire as a condition of continued employment.

Criminal Records/DMV Check
Applicants are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current certified driving record for review to be considered for the position. Be prepared to obtain as soon as possible. You are expected to provide the out-of-state certified driving record before an offer can be made unless extenuating circumstances exist. Adverse background information may disqualify you from further consideration.

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.

We are seeking applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and have the following skills and experience:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program that included one year of at least two of the following: gathering data, analyzing data, or preparing reports, and a Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely-related Bachelor’s degree 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 or wildlife program; OR

• One year of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program that included at least two of the following: gathering data, analyzing data, or preparing reports, and a Master’s degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely-related Master’s degree in biological/ecological sciences; OR

• A Doctorate degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely-related Doctorate degree in biological/ecological sciences.

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.

Requested Skills:
• Working directly with other biologists or stakeholders to coordinate research or

   monitoring studies
• Providing recommendations for habitat protection while working  with natural resource

   agencies, private landowners, local governments and/or irrigation districts
• Designing and implementing fish sampling and monitoring activities
• Evaluating biological data and making management recommendations

• Navigating landscape using maps and GPS
• Speaking in public and making presentations

• Using and/or creating databases

• Knowledge and experience with GIS

• Organizing sampling trips
• Writing progress reports, technical reports or scientific publications
• Working with volunteers for project implementation

• Repairing vehicles and equipment

• Providing customer service

Additional Information:

Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the “Job History” (Work Experience) section in your application or you may not be considered for this position. Resumes will not replace the completed “Job History” section in your online application. You may be disqualified if your experience listed in the “Job History” section does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. If any of the positions listed in your application are part time or seasonal, be sure to include the dates you worked (month and year) and the average amount of hours worked per week in the duties section. Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.

Note: You will be required to provide a copy of your official or unofficial transcripts (online transcripts 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), if you are using education to qualify. Transcripts can be attached to your application when you apply in the Resume/Cover Letter attachments field.

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.

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.

The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.

Veterans – If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans’ preference points will be added to your score.  For more information on veterans’ preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.

Find information on State of Oregon benefits

More information about our agency can be found on our social media accounts and at myodfw.com  and http://www.dfw.state.or.us/

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer