Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologist

Salary
$8,172.13 - $9,247.88 Monthly

Location
Oakland, CA

Job Type
Full-time (37.5 hrs)

Department
Acquisition, Stewardship & Development

Job Number
22-2E-14

Closing
9/14/2022 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. Established in 1934, the Park District is the oldest and largest regional park system in the United States, managing over 125,000 acres of parkland within 73 regional parks, and encompassing over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and nature learning.
 
The Opportunity: The Park District is hosting one recruitment to fill one (1) vacancy for the Wildlife Biologist position. The hiring pools established as a result of this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and any additional vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools. 
 
The Ideal Candidate:
• Has expertise in managing and monitoring shoreline special-status species and possession of state and federal permits for one or more of the following: Ridgway’s rail, black rail, western snowy plover, California least tern, western burrowing owl, and salt marsh harvest mouse;
• Is willing to work on public policy issues pertaining to shoreline species conservation, including oversight and management of the Revised Free-roaming Cat Policy;
• Has an understanding of the challenges and conflicts facing wildlife management in an extensive network of parkland units ranging from urban to regional wilderness; 
• Is familiar with the permitting and regulation of habitat maintenance and restoration projects (CEQA, Federal and State Endangered Species Acts, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, etc.);
• Is a good communicator and collaborator: able to run or lead workgroups or field teams, work with volunteers, make presentations, reach out to external partners, use networks, and engage the public. 

What You'll Be Doing: Under general direction supports the wildlife management program by analyzing, monitoring, researching, and coordinating natural resources and/or community resources through the scientific application of the principles and practices of wildlife management to enhance and protect animal populations and their habitats, including those listed by the State and Federal government as Rare, Threatened or Endangered; performs related duties as assigned.

Our Values:
• Respect: We honor each other, the park users we serve, and the land we steward.
• Resilience: We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships: Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Transparency: We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and unfettered access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.
A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job:
• Working with a purpose for a better world today and in future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission.
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here (Download PDF reader) for details regarding additional benefits.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
• Free on-site parking.
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles).
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).

Essential Functions
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Assists manager or program administrator with a variety of projects or assignments:
• Performs research, provides analysis, collects data, conducts field and resource assessments, and makes recommendations; 
• Maintains records and logs; 
• Prepares reports and writes correspondence; 
• Assesses Park District projects, consults with regulatory agencies, and obtains legally binding State and Federal permits, biological opinions, and/or authorizations for Park  District projects; 
• Coordinates with other Park District departments and outside agencies; 
• Reviews and/or assists with the development of policies and guidelines; 
• Monitors budget and tracks expenditures; 
• Attends meetings, represents the Park District and makes presentations; 
• May exercise functional and technical supervision over assigned project staff;
• Coordinates natural resource protection through the scientific application of the principles and practices of wildlife management to enhance and protect animal populations and their habitats; 
• Ensures environmental compliance by serving as the lead monitor on construction projects; 
• Provides input and field site assessments to guide the implementation of capital, routine maintenance, and wildland fuel reduction projects in order to protect  species of concern and listed species; 
• Determines the methodology to be used to develop and implement wildlife management recommendations and holds the main responsibility for the advancement of projects; 
• Projects can include other areas of natural resources such as integrated pest management, fisheries, vegetation and/or water resources; researches, secures and manages grant funding; 
• Develops and implements wildlife habitat enhancement and conservation projects;
• Coordinates with outside contractors on the implementation of overabundant and feral animal management program; 
• Assists public affairs on press releases and interviews. 

Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
 
Education:  A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in wildlife management, biology, zoology, or a related field; AND

Experience:  Three (3) years of experience performing complex research or work in wildlife management; OR

Substitutions: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience; AND      

License or Certificate: Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification.
Additional Information
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of wildlife management or appropriate study; native and invasive species of wildlife of the San Francisco Bay, including rare, threatened and endangered species; state and federal regulations pertaining to the protection and management of these species, the habitat requirements of these species, and strategies to manage for their benefit including implementing habitat restoration; fisheries management sampling techniques; California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), State and Federal Endangered Species Act, and regulatory requirements of resource agencies;  office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.

Ability to: investigate and analyze situations; plan and organize research; coordinate research with other Park District departments and other agencies; assist with negotiation and attainment of regulatory permits; interpret and create topographical and GIS based maps; use a global positioning system (GPS); operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.

Conditions of Employment:  
• All East Bay Park Regional District employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. 
• A valid California State driver's license is a condition of initial and continued employment in this position. 
• Depending on the work location and assignment, may be required to wear a Park District Uniform.
• Possession of a current State Scientific Collecting permit or the ability to meet qualifying hours and submit application for permit within eighteen (18) months of employment.
• Possession of a USFWS Section 10 permit for handling listed species or the ability to meet qualifying hours and must submit as application for permit within eighteen (18) months of employment. Positions may be required to work occasional evenings and/or weekend hours for meetings, presentations or special events.
• The selected candidate must pass the Park District's Level 1 background check, which consists of Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprinting, professional references, and education verification. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all hired applicants will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.  
Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:
• A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and 
• Completed supplemental questions 

Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system.  If you have previously applied on GovernmentJobs.com, please take care to update your existing profile.  Applications are accepted online only.  Our online application system is provided by NeoGov.  If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.
 
Union Affiliation: East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in an Agreement between the Park District and Local 2428.  The probationary period for this classification is nine (9) months.
 
Salary Range: The starting salary for this vacancy will be at Step A of the salary range.

Notification: All applicants will be notified of the disposition of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications.
 
Selection Process:  The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for testing or interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.
 
Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154.
 
Tentative Date of Examinations:
September & October of 2022
 
Equal Opportunity Employer: The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.