Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRCS Conservation Liaison)

Initial Posting Date: 11/20/2023 Application Deadline: 12/11/2023 Agency: Department of Fish and Wildlife Salary Range: Position Type: Employee Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist 2 (NRCS Conservation Liaison) Job Description: Make a Difference in Oregon's Natural Resources! Help the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fulfill its mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.
This permanent, full-time position is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) located in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office in Klamath Falls.
What you will do: Provide direct technical assistance (fish and wildlife habitat focus) and guidance to landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGO’s) and other partners.
Communicate program requirements, complete site visits to determine eligibility, and develop contracts/plans for applicants enrolling in USDA conservation programs or other state and local conservation programs for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of native fish and wildlife habitat.
Coordinate and assist landowners with fish and wildlife habitat project design, layout, and checkout.
Where needed, assist NRCS and agricultural producers with monitoring (e.
g.
, photo points, vegetative structure) to ensure fish and wildlife habitat needs are met and program outcomes achieved.
Market NRCS conservation programs to private landowners and others to implement the Oregon Conservation Strategy and other ODFW priorities.
Conducts outreach using various media, such as writing articles for agricultural publications, giving oral presentations, and organizing landowner workshops.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.
They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.
Working Conditions • Work is conducted primarily in an office setting with some field work.
Dealings with public, local residents and other agency personnel are frequent.
First Aid certification is required every other year.
CPR certification is required every year.
Defensive driving certification is required every 5 years.
• May be required to operate vehicles with manual or automatic transmission and 4 wheel drive vehicles during the day or night.
Work and drive in remote locations on adverse terrain in sometimes inclement conditions.
Job requires employees to travel by either, air, foot, or vehicle through isolated rugged terrain and during inclement weather.
• This position 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, and does not exceed forty (40) hours in a workweek.
Work exceeding 40 hours per week requires prior approval by the supervisor.
• This position requires an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Education Card for on-the-job use of quads (Class 1 ATVs) obtained through the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, accessible at the following website: www.
rideatvoregon.
org/.
On your application, be sure to indicate in your job description if you have a card or a copy of your card can be attached.
If the selected applicant does not possess this certification, they must obtain it within six months of hire as a condition of continued employment.
Criminal Records/DMV Check Applicants are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check.
Driving is required for all positions.
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 and/or driving 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.
Minimum Qualifications: • Two years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program.
At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a fish or wildlife 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 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.
A Master's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Master's degree in biological/ecological sciences 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 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.
Requested Skills: Strong understanding of common farming, ranching, forestry, etc.
activities, the habitat needs of fish and wildlife, and how to integrate wildlife conservation and sustainable agriculture practices.
Experience working with property owners, federal, state, and local agency personnel.
Experience completing contracts, applications and/or other documentation required for Farm Bill conservation programs.
Experience developing and implementing work plans.
Experience obtaining project permits, monitoring projects, and completing reporting requirements.
Additional Information: Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by your resume or the "Job History" section in your application or you may not be considered for this position.
You may be disqualified if your experience listed in your resume or 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 and cover letters can be attached to your application in the Resume/CV/Cover Letter attachments field when you apply.
Cover letters may not be reviewed unless it is stated as a requirement in the job posting.
For helpful tips on filling out your job history, responding to the supplemental questions, and submitting your application, click here Internal Applicants: The contact information that is prefilled on your application is typically your work email and work phone number.
Be sure to check your state email and Workday notifications for your status regarding the recruitment process.
If you are away from the office or unable to check your state email account for an extended period, contact the HR Recruitment Unit and the hiring manager to let them know your personal email and phone number where you can be contacted.
This will help to ensure you do not miss out on any correspondence that may be related to an interview.
If you apply for a position as an internal applicant and then terminate while the recruitment is still in process, contact the Recruitment Unit to have your contact information updated.
External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application.
Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting.
The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date.
After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal.
These questions are necessary to complete the application process.
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 https://www.
dfw.
state.
or.
us/ If you are passionate about natural resources, we invite you to join our team and assist with furthering ODFW’s mission by partnering with communities and sharing how our work has a positive effect on Oregon’s fish, wildlife and their habitats.
ODFW is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce as we strive to represent and better serve our neighboring communities.
Our most important asset is our employees, and each person brings unique, different, and important contributions to the workplace and community we serve.
With Oregon’s changing demographics, a workforce that reflects this change will make us stronger and create an opportunity for better decision making.
Consider joining our team as we lead ODFW into the future! The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer