Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife
Location: West Kingston, RI
Salary: $71,487
Classification: Limited Term (35 hours per week)
Start Date: July 1, 2022
Duration: Five Years
Recruitment: Internal/External
Application Deadline: May 29, 2022
Overview
Work independently in a joint capacity with the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) and the Bureau of Natural Resources, Rhode Island Department of Environmental (RIDEM) to provide Wildlife Biologist services to RIDEM. The incumbent will work out of the RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife headquarters in South Kingstown, Rhode Island and remotely as necessary to perform required responsibilities. The work area will be statewide; however, duties may require attendance at meetings in other Rhode Island counties and New England States. This position will be classified as a limited term employee of the WMI. Direct supervision of day-to-day activities will be provided by RIDEM.
Limited-term employees are defined as employees of WMI retained to provide a specific scope of services as defined within one or more grants or contracts awarded to WMI. WMI bases your employment upon your skills and knowledge and ability to achieve desired outcomes defined by RIDEM.
As a limited term employee:
- You will be expected to work no more than an average of 35 hours per week in any 12-month period.
- You will be eligible for WMI 401(k) retirement benefits and WMI will provide workers’ compensation, general liability protection, professional liability protection and unemployment insurance benefits. WMI will withhold taxes including social security.
- Total annual compensation will reflect your base salary plus the amount contributed to your 401(k) by WMI. In addition to salary but contingent upon the funding available within the contract or grant that defines your scope of services, WMI will reimburse you for any travel expenses that are necessary and reasonable to perform the duties assigned to you.
Basic Job Requirements
Requires a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in wildlife biology or wildlife management, or closely related natural resource science degree and four years of professional work experience with a wildlife or natural resource management agency. A Master of Science degree may be substituted for two years of actual work experience.
The position requires extensive knowledge of wildlife and population management, wildlife habitat needs, life cycle ecology, wildlife diseases, of furbearing mammals. Applicants must be able to communicate effectively both orally and written with wildlife management professionals, supervisors, the media, and the public. Applicants need to possess strong organizational and project coordination skills and work independently on multiple tasks with overlapping deadlines. Applicant must be able to work collaboratively with others on cooperative projects and to resolve problems. The selected individual will represent Rhode Island and the Division on both local and regional committees related to furbearers and trapping around the Northeast.
Applicants should have a current, working knowledge of trapping and furbearer management in North America and have related field skills to implement wildlife management practices including; function and use of diverse trapping skills, harvest reporting strategies, habitat requirements, disease risks, survival, and anthropogenic impacts on distribution of furbearers. Applicant will evaluate statewide wildlife abundance and population trends of multiple mammalian species and evaluate annual statewide trapping harvests and hunter participation in furbearer take. Applicant will compile, analyze, synthesize, and interpret information derived from research projects and surveys as the basis for resource management recommendations for both the state and species of regional conservation need. This position will supervise seasonal, temporary and intern staff as necessary. Incumbent will prepare recommendations for developing or modifying Rhode Island Code, other legal statutes, promulgation of regulations, or policies pertaining to wildlife resources.
Must possess, or be able to obtain, a Class D Rhode Island driver’s license. Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds and be willing to travel within and outside the state. Total travel is not expected to exceed 15% of time requirements. Will be strongly encouraged to receive a rabies vaccination.
The incumbent performs duties in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
Requires satisfactory completion of a criminal background check.
Preference will be given for:
- Experience in wildlife management, surveys design and analysis of survey data, particularly with mammal species
- Experience designing and conducting wildlife research and publishing the results, particularly with mammalian species
- Experience planning, creating or developing, and/or managing wildlife habitat
- Supervisory experience
- Working knowledge of database management and Statistical software such as SAS or R
- Working knowledge and experience using GPS, GIS and ArcView or related GIS Software, especially for spatial modeling
- Appreciation of, or participation in regulated trapping
Application Procedures
To apply via email, send a cover letter outlining your interest and qualifications and a resume to: david.kalb@dem.ri.gov
Applications via mail are accepted and must be received before the application deadline to be considered. Mail applications should be sent to:
David M Kalb Ph.D.
Supervising Biologist
RIDEM Division of Fish and Wildlife
277 Great Neck Road
West Kingston, RI 02892
For questions about WMI Limited Term Employee terms, contact:
Scot Williamson, VP
Wildlife Management Institute
4426 VT Route 215 N
Cabot, VT 05647
802-563-2087
swilliamson@wildlifemgt.org