Biometrician (#MDAZ03)
$66,489.00 Yearly Min / $83,111.00 Yearly Mid / $99,733.00 Yearly Max

Incumbents in this class work independently on designing and executing complex statistical research projects and addressing critical problems of fish or wildlife population dynamics.

A class incumbent provides project plans, activities and results to a technical and/or administrative superior. An incumbent would have a demonstrable balance of knowledge in complex statistical research methodologies as well as the biological characteristics of fish or wildlife populations. An incumbent will initiate and plan studies, directing all phases of execution and responsible for the validity and reliability of findings, interpretation, conclusions, recommendations and final reports. An incumbent may participate as a member of a regional, national, inter or intra-departmental team established to identify and study critical resource management issues. An incumbent will prepare written findings and recommendations and present and defend them in a state, national and regional forum. An incumbent is considered the subject matter expert in the program area whose project results will contribute to state, regional and national policy development and changes in existing laws, rules, regulations, processes, techniques, or practices.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Develops methods and procedures for collecting and evaluating biological and economic data for routine and special reports and research studies. Plans and develops required procedures for coding, tabulating and analyzing data.
   
• Designs complex biological studies; prepares written research protocols; interprets findings and prepares a final written report.
   
• Initiates studies of the validity and reliability of data collected and develops procedures to improve the quality of such data.
   
• Performs and supervises complex fisheries or wildlife population dynamics analyses.
   
• Consults with technical and/or administrative superiors in order to determine their requirements for statistical information and to inform them about the economic and biological implications of the assessment; interprets the results of statistical studies to managers, administrators and senior policy makers.
   
• Prepares and presents reports and recommendations relevant to program performance, costs and projected future needs taking into consideration solutions for conservation, preservation and protection of the resource.
   
• Formulates/recommends or influences agency policy.
   
• Writes, presents and publishes articles and technical reports for publication within scientific community.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of standard research methodology, principles and techniques of descriptive or inferential statistics, sampling theory and measurement theory, advanced mathematics, computer science and modeling.
• Knowledge in population dynamics and relevant quantitative methods.
• Knowledge of the principles involved in designing and executing statistical research studies in natural resource fields.
• Knowledge of biological characteristics of fish or wildlife populations that determine their dynamics.
• Knowledge of critical aspects of economically important databases used in fish or wildlife stock assessments and related research.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules and regulations applicable to the assigned program area.
• Knowledge of program operations, analysis and evaluation.
• Skill in communicating effectively including in highly volatile or confrontational situations.
• Skill in planning, coordinating and interpreting technical issues.
• Ability to design, implement and manage diverse and complex research projects, effectively addressing a variety of competing priorities in a high pressure environment.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgement, to identify key problem areas for investigation and recommend sound recommendations.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with peers, other division personnel, interns, public or private agency staff, public officials and the general public.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Biometrician
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Life or Physical Science or related field.
2. Scientific Prominence or recognition with publication in a scientific or trade journal.
3. Three years experience in population dynamics and statistical research design and implementation.
4. Six months experience in computer modeling for analysis, simulation, and forecasting.
5. Six months experience in technical report writing.
6. Knowledge of biological and economic basis of fish or wildlife stock assessments.
7. Knowledge of biological characteristics of fish or wildlife populations.