Habitat Program Manager NRO

Job Description

Job Title : Regional Habitat Program Manager

Job Description

Are you a natural resource professional who likes to be a part of a team whose core values are integrity, professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and cooperation?

Do you also excel at motivating people and solving problems? If so, this might be the perfect job for you. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is looking for a talented, energetic, and people-oriented leader to fill the role of Regional Habitat Program Manager in our Ogden office.

This position oversees the Habitat Program in the Northern Region. The Habitat Section is tasked to implement and lead habitat restoration work including the implementation of Utah’s Watershed Restoration Program.

This position also leads the management of the region's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), supervises habitat program staff, and oversees the impact analysis work in the region.

Principal Duties

As the northern region habitat manager, you will :

• Supervise the habitat program staff in the region.
• Make hiring recommendations, delegate assignments, train new employees, monitor and evaluate performance, and initiate corrective or disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Oversee the management of 100,000+ acres of Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in the region.
• Lead the habitat restoration work on DWR, State, Federal, and private lands in the region.
• Partner with federal agencies, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, sportsmen groups, livestock operators, and private landowners to successfully oversee the Watershed Restoration Initiative implementation in the region.
• Work with the Regional Supervisor, Habitat Section Chief, and the program coordinators to develop an annual work plan for your regional team to implement.
• Manage the budget for the section in the region.
• Develop and review contracts and cooperative agreements in the region.
• Monitor and lead the effort to provide comments and recommendations to other agencies on actions that might impact wildlife in the region.
• Oversee the maintenance of the guzzler program in the region.
• Initiate, coordinate, and evaluate projects, including planning and conducting biological surveys and research on various wildlife species and habitats to determine population trends, production, mortality, and other factors.
• Work with other DWR managers on the regional leadership team and collaborate efforts to effectively serve our constituents and manage wildlife.
• Represent the agency at various meetings and present information.
• Oversee the management of all conservation easements held by DWR in the region.
• Inspire, mentor, and teach the employees you lead. Ensure that Performance Management Plans are developed and evaluated annually.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for this position has :

• A bachelor's degree in Wildlife Management, Wildlife Conservation, Range Management, Biology / Zoology, Ecology, or a closely related field.
• Preference will be given to applicants with an M.S. degree in wildlife / range / fish ecology or a related field. Up to two years of full-time professional employment in habitat restoration or wildlife & fisheries management may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for graduate study.

List qualifications for the ideal candidate :

• Experience supervising employees.
• Successful completion of leadership development classes.
• Experience with GIS programs.
• Experience developing, proposing, and managing budgets.
• Experience with habitat restoration implementation.
• Critical thinking skills.
• Experience and knowledge of problem-solving techniques.

Why You Should Join Our Team The Habitat Manager position is one of the most fulfilling positions in the agency. This position works with the Aquatics, Wildlife, Outreach, and Law Enforcement Sections to enhance and protect wildlife and habitat in northern Utah.

The position covers the entire northern part of the state and works in low desert habitats, high-elevation alpine habitats, wetlands, and everything in between.

It’s an opportunity to partner with dozens of groups and agencies and make a difference for wildlife. In addition, the state offers a generous benefits package.

Below is a summary of the benefits offered to state employees : Health Insurance - Public Employee Health Program (PEHP) :

• 3 medical plan options. Choose a Traditional or High Deductible Health Plan.
• There is an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those who have other medical insurance coverage.
• 5 dental plan options, with an Opt-Out Cash Benefit option for those who have other dental insurance coverage.
• 4 vision plan options under EyeMed or OptiCare

Retirement- Utah Retirement Systems (URS) :

• Employees who have any service credit with an employer covered by the Utah Retirement Systems before 7 / 1 / 2011 are in the Tier I Public Employees System.
• Employees hired on or after 7 / 1 / 2011 and who have never been in the URS retirement system have two options for retirement in the Tier II System.
• Tier 2 Hybrid Retirement System. Employer contributes an amount equal to 10% of your salary between both plans (pension and 401(k))
• Tier 2 Defined Contribution Plan. Employer contributes an amount equal to 10% of your salary to a 401(k) plan only.
• Employer contributions to your 401(k) are vested after four years.

Paid Time Off :

• Annual leave and sick leave are accrued at 4 hours per pay period each (4 hours annual, 4 hours sick).
• Annual leave amounts increase with years of service.
• We have 12 paid holidays.

The Division : To learn more about the division, please click here.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, skills, and abilities :

• Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in wildlife / range management / botany / biology or a closely related field, or directly related work experience equivalent.
• They must have an understanding of the principles, theories, and practices of wildlife ecology, behavior, and habitat requirements.
• Sound understanding of botany and range management, and knowledge of range restoration techniques.
• Applicants should have experience planning and implementing habitat restoration projects and reviewing and commenting on Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements.
• Applicants should also have experience working with various partners and organizations.
• Great writing skills are required. This position will write, review, and edit comment letters, letters of support, project proposals, and Habitat Management Plans.
• Applicants must have experience supervising seasonal and / or full-time employees.
• Applicants must have an understanding of the taxonomy, physiology, ecology, and habitat requirements of Utah wildlife, and understand the principles of wildlife management.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions :

• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending;

carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Ability to lift 100 pounds, hike 5 miles and work extended hours in adverse weather conditions, including heat and cold.

Typical work schedule : Regular work schedule. (M-F, 40 hrs a week) There will occasionally be 10+ hour days in remote areas.

Requirements :

• At least 5 years of related work experience
• Ability to lift 100 pounds
• Ability to hike 5 miles over rough, rocky, uneven ground
• Work in adverse weather conditions both heat and cold
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Overnight travel within Utah, and occasionally outside of the state, is sometimes required to attend meetings, conferences, support habitat management projects, etc.

Preference may be given to applicants with :

• A Master's degree in wildlife / range / fish ecology or a related field and 2 or more years of direct work experience.
• Experience in a leadership position involving budget and supervisory duties.
• Completion of coursework or certification in organizational management, administration, or leadership.
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