Introduction
This is a contractual, position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.
One (1) Long-Term Contractual Vacancy; Full-time; 12 Month Contract
**INTERNAL RECRUITMENT - Only MDNR WHS Merit, Contractual and Contingent Employees Are Eligible For This Recruitment**
GRADE
15
LOCATION OF POSITION
580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 (Anne Arundel County)
Main Purpose of Job
This position assists with statewide conservation activities for rare turtles, including map, bog, and wood turtles, and other reptiles and amphibians by carrying out inventory, monitoring, and research; restoration and management; and technical assistance in areas of expertise. This work is conducted on public lands within the state, and, when appropriate, on private lands. This position also provides technical assistance for environmental reviews and for state, regional, and national conservation efforts for priority turtle species. Work is coordinated with the academic community, state and federal agencies, local governments, NGOs, national and regional conservation partnerships, active field biologists and naturalists, and other stakeholders to accomplish the tasks above.
POSITION DUTIES
The Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Heritage Program, is currently accepting applications for a long-term contractual Turtle Conservation Specialist (Natural Resources Biologist II). This position is full-time (40 hours per week). This position will be based in Annapolis, Maryland but projects will require travel throughout the State. The technician will conduct standardized surveys in streams and wetlands statewide for wood turtles and other reptiles and amphibians, sample vegetation plots, conduct habitat restoration, manage data in spreadsheets and through GIS applications, analyze data, prepare reports, and assist with environmental project review and conservation planning. Responsibilities will require the use of GPS, herbicides and hand-held tools and equipment such as herbicide applicators, brush cutters, and chainsaws as well as database entry, analysis, and mapping software. Technician will work in all types of field conditions and be exposed to temperature extremes, sun, biting insects, ticks, slippery and rocky streams, and muddy bogs. Surveys require wading 1 km in streams, carrying heavy equipment, and muddling in bogs. Work sites are statewide.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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 two years of experience in performing professional biological work
in the field of natural resources management.
Notes:
1.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree in biology,
environmental aquaculture, natural science, natural resources management,
botany, marine biology, marine ecology or physical oceanography, ichthyology, fisheries
management, wildlife management, zoology, or a natural resources management
related field of study from an accredited college or university and two years
of experience in performing professional biological work in the field of
natural resources management for the required experience.
2.
Candidates may substitute graduate education beyond a Bachelor's degree from an
accredited college or university in a natural resources related field of study
as described above at the rate of 15 graduate credit hours for one year of the
required experience.
3.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as
a commissioned officer in the natural resources management and biological
sciences classifications or natural resources management and biological
sciences specialty codes in the wildlife biology field of work on a
year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to identify native turtles found in Maryland.
- Experience with handling and collecting measurements from turtles, including injecting pit-tags.
- Experience conducting surveys for reptiles and amphibians, including using the northeast regional standardized survey protocol for wood turtles and standard bog turtle protocols.
- Experience coordinating with state, federal, NGO, and university partners for turtle conservation.
- Experience analyzing field data and providing conservation recommendations for map turtles.
- Ability to identify common invasive plant species of Maryland.
- Experience with management of invasive plant species, including the use of herbicide sprayers.
- Experience in operating and maintaining hand-held tools for vegetation management, including chainsaws.
- Experience with data entry, analysis, and GIS mapping for rare species databases and conservation planning.
LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION
**INTERNAL RECRUITMENT - Only MDNR WHS Merit, Contractual and Contingent Employees Are Eligible For This Recruitment**
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
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.
SELECTION PROCESS
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 accept information submitted after this date. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all education and experience related to the essential functions and qualifications of this position.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.
BENEFITS
Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.
*Should benefits be available, this will be discussed at the time of hire
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
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.
Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at
Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day.
If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Adriana Parravano at
Adriana.Parravano@maryland.gov.
Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.
