

The Wildlife Conservation Strategy Implementation Biologist will direct, coordinate, and implement the Oregon Conservation Strategy (OCS) in the Rogue and Umpqua Watershed Districts. S/he will provide coordination and oversight for the Conservation Program through coordination and interaction with Wildlife Division and Region staff and District Biologists. S/he will recommend, assist, and implement restoration activities for OCS wildlife throughout the region. The Wildlife Conservation Strategy Biologist will serve as the field expert on the biological requirements and management of wildlife species and provide scientific information and advice including effects of habitat modification on Oregon Conservation Strategy matters to biologists and planners in the Department and other agencies, landowners and the public. S/he will coordinate, and is directly involved in, the collection of biological information on strategy related wildlife populations and physical information on the quantity and quality of their habitats throughout the region that supports restoration, enhancement, or protective actions for OCS species. Major duties and responsibilities are to:



• Provide oversight of activities associated with interpretation and implementation of the Oregon Conservation Strategy.



• Act as point person for all aspects of OCS implementation in the Rogue and Umpqua watershed districts.



• Review, design, coordinate, direct, or provide guidance to Department staff and outside groups on OCS activities and key limiting factors, and filling information gaps relating to the OCS.



• Advise staff on implementing the OCS and coordinate activities to assure consistency with goals and objectives of the plan.



• Assist District staff by providing input on effect of management actions and habitat modification activities that impact OCS species/strategies.



• Coordinate Oregon Conservation Strategy implementation activities in the Rogue and Umpqua Watershed Districts.



• Directly or through partnerships: develop and review wildlife habitat restoration proposals, make recommendations on techniques and procedures for restoring habitats, and assist project proponents with enhancement activities. Project priorities are guided by the Oregon Conservation Strategy, Department policy, species and habitat plans, and other guiding documents.



• Serve as liaison to project partners on restoration project design, implementation, and monitoring.



• Network with other habitat restoration experts to ensure best and most current methods are used for managing and restoring native habitats and increasing the diversity of native plant communities.



• Provide technical guidance to various federal, state and local agencies, and private entities regarding all aspects of the program including obtaining necessary state and federal permits, etc.



• Work with project proponents to evaluate restoration potential for lands management in key conservation areas and assist with preparing site specific habitat restoration plans.



• Provide site review for feedback to stakeholders groups including coordination with fish, wildlife, and habitat experts to assess current status and site potential for biological and habitat benefits from the project or acquisition.



• Provide other technical support on restoration techniques, determine equipment needs, and assist in preparing cost estimates for equipment and other restoration work.



• Review and prepare restoration plans for site specific habitat enhancement work to achieve objectives of the land management plan developed by the land manager.



• Plan and conduct biological surveys for key strategy species and priority habitats to identify limiting factors and inform habitat restoration and protection needs.



• Coordinate with district wildlife biologists and wildlife area managers and other partners to plan and conduct inventories and monitoring of OCS species and habitats. Provide guidance for survey methodologies and assist in development of survey protocols when needed.



• Identify monitoring priorities. Work with District staff to collect and analyze data concerning strategy species and habitats. Where possible engage with partners in citizen science approaches to collecting data. Maintain a regional database of this information.



• Consistent with OCS priorities, conduct surveys on foot, by vehicle, by boat, and/or by aircraft to collect and record data on wildlife trends, age/sex composition, production and mortality rates, and other factors such as quality and quantity of habitat.



• Analyze and summarize data collected and report results to Rogue/Umpqua and Division staff as directed.



• Participate in Department statewide and regional conservation planning efforts involving OCS species and their habitats.



• Represent the Rogue/Umpqua in the development and review of Department conservation activities to ensure consistency with the Oregon Conservation Strategy.



• Coordinate the involvement of Rogue/Umpqua biologists and managers in these internal planning efforts, and develop recommendations and comments as directed.



• Coordinate the Rogue/Umpqua participation in OCS related grants, landowner incentive grants and other programs supporting wildlife habitat conservation.



• Represent the Rogue/Umpqua on Wildlife Division work groups to develop grant proposals for landowner incentive grant programs to assist with OCS implementation.



• Coordinate and assist district wildlife biologists in the review of grant applications and permits to further conservation goals and consistency with Department rules, policies, and permit requirements.



• Maintain working relations with public constituents and interest groups involved in the management and conservation of strategy species and other nongame wildlife and their habitats.



• Provide presentations at public meetings, school groups, and civic organizations concerning Department activities within the Conservation Program.



• Prepare weekly, monthly, and special reports and correspondence as directed. Answer public questions and phone requests for information.



Working Conditions



• Frequent use of personal computer in an office setting and may require sitting for extended periods of time.



• Frequent travel by motor vehicle, aircraft, boat, and on foot through remote and rugged terrain, often in inclement weather, and occasionally at night. Frequent daily travel of 100-200 miles is required.



• Requires walking in slippery conditions within and near flowing waterways, on steep slopes, and in forested or wetland environments.



• Requires working alone in inclement weather conditions and/or isolated areas. May encounter potential law violators or hostile individuals.



• Occasionally requires lifting up to 50 pounds in weight.



• 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, weekend and evening work to attend meetings and meet deadlines.



• 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 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.



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.