Biologist - Fisheries (District 1) Date Posted: Feb 19, 2024 Requisition ID: 437273 Location: North Judson, IN, US, 46366 Work for Indiana Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana’s communities every day. At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion - Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process, as well as perform the essential functions of a role. Next Level benefits at the State of Indiana are here! Be sure to review our expanded benefit package offerings below. About the DNR Fish and Wildlife Division: The Division of Fish & Wildlife enriches the quality of life for present and future generations by balancing the biological, ecological, recreational, and economic benefits of Indiana’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Salary Statement: The salary for this position traditionally starts at $47,320.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience. Role Overview: The incumbent serves as the District 1 Fisheries Biologist in the Division of Fish and Wildlife within the Department of Natural Resources responsible for a 14 county area across northwest Indiana. The office is located in North Judson at Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area. The incumbent applies professional biological knowledge and techniques, in planning, conducting and evaluating Division programs designed to manage fisheries resources in public lakes, rivers and impoundments within a specified geographical area in the state. The incumbent should be customer service orientated as the position requires freqent work with citizens of Indiana, city and county park departments, and other Department of Natural Resources entities. Where appropriate, the incumbent applies scientific principles and procedures to enhance public fish resources and the environmental conditions that support those resources. Work includes conducting fish and aquatic vegetation surveys, writing and implementing work plans, preparing project budgets, administering equipment inventory, managing purchasing, and participating public information and education activities. Other duties include supervision, training, evaluation and discipline of subordinate personnel, and communicating with the public and other government entities. District biologists report directly to the Fish Research Biologist. A Day in the Life: The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Conduct field investigations to gather data on fish & wildlife habitat and population status, resource utilization, and management needs.
Provide technical assistance and verbal/written management recommendations to private landowners, other state and federal agencies, and local units of government regarding the development, enhancement, restoration, and management and recreational values of fish & wildlife habitat and fish & wildlife populations.
Investigate fish & wildlife damage complaints, providing suggestions for alleviating problems, and issues permit for the trapping, removal, destruction, or relocation of specific fish & wildlife according to state/federal laws and policies.
Administer financial incentive programs for the development, enhancement, or restoration of fish & wildlife habitats on private lands, and for recreational access to private lands.
Provide technical assistance to District Foresters for the implementation of the Classified Forest and Wildlands Act.
Conduct environmental reviews and provide recommendations to the Department for the mitigation of fish & wildlife losses resulting from construction projects in floodways and wetlands.
Assist other biologists on large-scale research and management projects.
Perform general administrative and clerical office duties such as answering mail and telephone requests, writing reports, recording data on various forms and other operational paperwork.
Review technical bulletins, research, and management reports, and attends professional meetings to keep abreast of new developments.
Maintain working relationships with other biologists, various state and federal agencies, accredited academic agencies and communities, and the general public utilizing public speaking, mass media and written communication, and professional communication techniques.
Prepare and present evidence exhibits in court and performs as an expert witness in courts of law and/or hearings.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time. What You'll Need for Success: This person must have the following requirements to be considered for employment:
Specialized knowledge of biological principles, ecological variables and interactions, and life histories of fish & wildlife species developed through on the job training and relevant experience with a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited college in fish or wildlife management or a closely related field.
Specialized knowledge of scientific methods, procedures and theories and the ability to apply them in the management and study of fish & wildlife populations.
Ability to operate and maintain a wide variety of work, shop, and office equipment such as trucks, trailers, boats, farm machinery, power tools, hand tools, typewriter, calculator, GPS units, fax machine, copiers, and computers.
Ability to prepare and present evidence; or combine with the following requirement. Ability to act as an expert witness in a court of law and /or hearing.
Ability to improvise and adapt methods and equipment for specialized tasks.
Ability to read, use and manipulate topographic maps, aerial photographs, wetland delineation maps, soils maps, and ArcGIS mapping systems.
Knowledge of general administrative and clerical procedures.
Ability to communicate in proper written and oral form including the use of audio-visual equipment.
Ability to communicate and influence landowners, other state and federal agencies, the general public, and local units of government concerning the management of species and their habitats and their recreational values.
Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to the environment and the management of fish & wildlife.
Ability to budget and allocate cost-share funds.
This person must satisfy the following requirements to continue employment:
Ability to obtain and maintain a commercial pesticide applicator’s license.
Ability to obtain and possess a valid Indiana driver’s license.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana: The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid new parent leave
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruit, select, develop, and promote employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [emailprotected].
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.
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