NATURAL RESOURCES BIOLOGIST V

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This position coordinates the zoological sciences functions of the Maryland Natural Heritage Program (NHP) in the Wildlife and Heritage Service (WHS) within the Department of Natural Resources (hereafter referred to as Department). The incumbent is responsible for the annual and long-range planning and prioritization of inventory, monitoring and research activities for nongame animal species including rare, threatened and endangered species. The incumbent ensures that these activities are scientifically sound and consistent with the goals of the NHP and those of the WHS and Department. The incumbent is responsible for determining the conservation status of the State’s native fauna and ensures that the State’s list of rare, threatened, and endangered animal species is based on the most current, scientifically sound information available. Accordingly, the incumbent helps to ensure that animal-related data sets in the Program’s Biotics database are current and complete. This position also provides technical assistance to the Program, other units within the Department and, where appropriate, other state and federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations in such activities as the development of conservation plans, habitat protection, ecological restoration, land management and stewardship, environmental review and public education. Work is closely tied with the academic community, other state and federal agencies, and with active field biologists and naturalists to accomplish the above tasks, to raise the visibility of the NHP and the WHS, and to promote the Department’s views on biodiversity conservation issues.

The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service’s Natural Heritage Program, is currently accepting applications for a Natural Resources Biologist V. This position coordinates the zoological sciences functions of the Natural Heritage Program, serving as the Department’s overall expert in determining the status and conservation needs of the state’s nongame animals, including rare, threatened, and endangered species and unique or ecologically significant animal communities. The position requires a wide breadth and depth of knowledge of the state’s fauna, including their life histories and ecology; the synthesis of large volumes of information across a wide range of taxa in order to coordinate conservation status reviews and prioritize biodiversity conservation needs at the species, community, habitat, and ecosystem levels; the design and implementation of timely inventory, monitoring, and research activities to better inform conservation status, needs, and priorities; the statistical analysis of quantitative field data; input on policy issues and environmental review that crosses taxonomic lines; the development and implementation of strategies for nongame species and community conservation planning, restoration, and protection; working with a variety of professional and amateur zoologists, ecologists and natural history groups and organizations; and the synthesis of data and consultation with species experts to assign species conservation ranks and propose state legal statuses. The position is responsible for leading statewide and multi-state projects and working groups for the purposes of species and habitat management and protection for select nongame animals. This position also provides technical assistance to the public, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, other state and federal agencies and nongovernmental organizations in such activities as the development of conservation plans, assignment of legal status, habitat protection, ecological restoration, land management and stewardship, environmental review, and public education. This work requires familiarity with Maryland’s nongame species and their habitats, conservation ranking, environmental threats, conservation planning, and the legal framework to conserve priority species and the natural communities and ecosystems that support them. Familiarity with the Biotics database and methodology as well as habitat restoration techniques will be essential to fulfill this mission. Work will require occasional long field days with varied weather conditions and biting insects. The incumbent will supervise volunteers and seasonal employees within the program and will work with a variety of partner organizations.

Experience: Four years of professional experience conducting research and analysis in the fields of biology, biochemistry, environmental science, natural science, natural resources management, botany, marine biology, marine ecology, physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries management, wildlife management or zoology and six years of experience in performing professional biological work in the field of natural resources management.

Four years of professional experience conducting conservation-oriented field studies of nongame animals.

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in zoology, conservation biology, or one of the closely related fields listed under the minimum qualifications’ education requirement on this job bulletin. 
• At least four years of experience collecting and analyzing field-based research and monitoring data for a variety of Eastern U.S. nongame animal species of conservation concern, including use of ArcGIS and statistical packages, and disseminating results through oral presentations, reports, or other publications. 
• At least two years of experience with developing and implementing conservation plans, habitat management or restoration plans, environmental review, and other projects to benefit nongame animal species of conservation concern. 
•  Experience managing multiple priorities and supervising staff or volunteers. 
• Successful work with partners on nongame animal conservation projects and communication with the public about species or habitat conservation. 
• At least one year of experience with the Biotics database and methodology for documentation of element occurrences. 
• Experience with assessing conservation ranks and familiarity with Maryland’s Threatened and Endangered Species Law and associated regulations.

**INTERNAL RECRUITMENT - CURRENT MDNR WILDLIFE AND HERITAGE EMPLOYEES ONLY**

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3, Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.