Webless Migratory Game & Shorebird Biologist

Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, United States

Updated: 7 months ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 10 Mar 2023

Agency
Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
Location
Statewide, negotiable
Job Category
Full time Positions
Salary
$4,278 - $7,497 monthly
Last Date to Apply
03/10/2023
Website
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana?department[0]=Wildlife%20%26%20Fisheries-Wildlife&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending
Description
This person serves as the Department’s expert and advisor to Agency staff and the public regarding population and habitat management for webless migratory gamebirds and shorebirds. This position participates in international and multi-state cooperative conservation efforts coordinated through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, American Woodcock Conservation Plan, and Mourning Dove National Strategic Conservation Plan in conjunction with other federal, state, and local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and serves as a mentor to lower-level biologists. This position oversees all dove and American Woodcock research and management activities statewide as well as working on a national level to represent Louisiana’s interests in dove and woodcock hunting and research activities. This job is designated as a Dual Career Ladder job as defined in CS Rule 1.14.1.1 requiring performance of higher level complex duties and possession of advanced specialized skills. This position represents a subset of expanded responsibilities of the Migratory Game & Wetland Bird Section. 25% Webless Wetland Bird Conservation Planning Engage established partner agencies, associations, and organizations in cooperative wetland bird conservation planning and/or revision, prioritization, and management of habitats for diverse wetland bird communities including working with marsh bird and shorebird groups of the GCJV and LMVJV of the NAWMP. Review literature, conduct surveys, analyze data, and prepare technical reports on wetland bird use of the Department’s managed habitats. Propose and participate in cooperative research to inform improved conservation and habitat management for wetland birds. Provide technical assistance to private landowners engaged in wetland management to include NRCS, USFWS, and LDWF habitat programs. Prepare educational materials on wetland management for a diverse community of wetland birds including waterfowl, shorebirds, and marsh birds for lower-level department biologists, partners and/or private landowners. 25% Wetland Habitat Management on WMAs Work with NAWMP Coordinator to develop/revise wetland management plans for WMAs, propose new projects, maintain existing database of unit-specific wetland management, design habitat monitoring and evaluation plans and reports. Coordinate with regional staff to accomplish and report annual wetland management activities and responses. Integrate shorebird/marsh bird management into existing waterfowl management actions on WMA impoundments through monitoring, educating staff, conducting workshops, and participating in wetland-management plan development. Devise management recommendations to address problems with nuisance or invasive aquatic vegetation. 25% Webless Migratory Upland Gamebird Duties Provide technical assistance to landowners wanting woodcock and dove management recommendations. Coordinate with regional staff to develop woodcock habitat on WMAs. Monitor habitat conditions, trends in land use, population trends and other factors that impact or could impact doves or woodcock. Devise responses and work with program staff, division administrators and partners as appropriate to implement responses Participate annually in woodcock and dove wingbees. Propose and participate in cooperative research to inform conservation and habitat management for woodcock and doves. Partner with federal, state, and local governmental agencies as well as NGOs to enhance habitat for webless migratory upland gamebirds. Represent the Department at meetings with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in complex negotiations to determine nationwide migratory game bird regulations and hunting regulations in Louisiana. 20% Population Surveys, Banding, & Other Duties Participate in statewide aerial waterfowl surveys as needed. Coordinate with coastal and inland refuge and WMA personnel to continue, establish, and improve protocols for shorebird/marsh bird monitoring of important geographies. Develop potential research projects, and generate public land conservation/habitat goals for webless migratory game birds and shorebirds. Independently run and assist regional staff in banding operations for webless migratory game birds, waterfowl, and other species to meet Department quotas for harvest management and research needs. Provide continuing education for regional staff as well as other agencies and the public on wetland bird habitat management, woodcock habitat management, dove field management. Work with private lands staff to coordinate annual private dove field leases for opening day of dove season. Including updating LDWF webpage of available dove fields and processing invoices. Assist Waterfowl Program Manager and NAWMP Coordinator as needed to accomplish all goals of the Migratory Game & Wetland Bird Section. Represent LDWF at public meetings and give occasional presentations to sportsman, conservation, and other groups. 5% Administrative and Other Duties Prepares requisition materials, supplies, and equipment as required. Maintains vehicles and equipment. Performs monthly administrative tasks such as time sheets, vehicle logs, travel documents, P-card logs as required. Assists other program and wildlife conservation, management, and research projects as needed and/or directed. Answers correspondence, letters, emails, and calls pertaining to the program. Follows all Department policies and procedures as required, and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
A baccalaureate degree in a biological science, marine science, environmental science, wildlife or fisheries management, animal science, forestry, natural resources, or conservation followed by four years of professional experience in wildlife or fisheries research, management or conservation; forestry; or in environmental science. SUBSTITUTIONS: Graduate training in qualifying fields may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of thirty semester hours for one year of experience. A non-thesis master's degree in qualifying fields will substitute for one year of the required experience. A master's degree with completed thesis in qualifying fields will substitute for two years of the required experience. A Ph.D. in qualifying fields will substitute for two years of the required experience.
Contact Person
Jason Olszak
Contact Phone
337-735-8687
Contact eMail
jolszak@wlf.la.gov

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