District Wildlife Biologist

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a District Wildlife Biologist for The Office of Resource Conservation.  This position will be responsible for the development of a detailed district plan of work ensuring the efficacious use of public funds, personnel, and other resources available to the district (including specialized conservation equipment such as grain drills, seeders, mowers, backpack sprayers, and drip torches).  This position will conduct prescribed fires and drawings, conduct field investigations of wildlife mortality events, assist in managing events, and participate in the Department’s chronic wasting disease program as directed. The Office of Resource Conservation within the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is responsible for the management of Illinois’ wildlife, fish, and forest resources, along with stewardship and restoration of natural lands. ORC manages fish and wildlife populations through hunting and fishing regulations based on scientific data.  We welcome interested applicants who would like to be part of this team to apply today.

Essential Functions

• Provides professional, highly complex and comprehensive land, water and wildlife resource management and planning services on all public lands within the district:
• Under general direction of the Regional Wildlife Resources Administrator, provides professional, highly complex and comprehensive land, water and wildlife resource management and planning services on all private lands within the district.
• Conducts wildlife disease management and monitoring for diseases such as chronic wasting disease, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, avian influenza and others.
• Prepares and disseminates information regarding wildlife, wildlife habitat and related subjects to the general public, interested individuals and public/private organizations.
• Conducts wildlife capture and marking activities using specialized conservation techniques and equipment such as boats, outboard motors, wood duck traps, and rocket net launchers and conducts surveys to monitor wildlife population trends.
• Acts as liaison or serves as Regional Wildlife Administrator’s representative with State and Federal agencies and various other organizations (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, State and Federal Departments of Agriculture, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, United States Army Corps of Engineers, and constituency groups to coordinate wildlife resource planning and management efforts.
• Prepares and maintains various technical records and reports such as accomplishment reports, daily and/or monthly activity reports, programmatic cost reports, and expenditure accounts relating to wildlife habitat management.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental ability equivalent to a master's degree in outdoor recreation, fish, wildlife, forestry, natural heritage resource management, or a related biological, life or natural science; or requires a bachelor's degree in the field supplemented by two years of directly related professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• A college degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree or higher, in a wildlife, environmental biology, ecology, or zoology focused major.
• One (1) year of experience with specialized conservation equipment with thorough knowledge of equipment operation and maintenance.
• One (1) year of extensive knowledge of flora, fauna, ecological and/or geological attraction identification and modern wildlife management techniques.
• One (1) year of extensive knowledge of state/federal laws and rules and regulations pertaining to wildlife management and conservation.
• One (1) year of experience collecting information & assisting in analyzing & evaluating technical data/reports.
• One (1) year of experience in establishing and maintaining satisfactory working relationships with representatives from federal, state and local governments, conservation organizations, other Natural Resources employees, and the general public.
• One (1) year of working knowledge of public relations principles, techniques, theories & practices, including the ability to deliver informational presentations.
• One (1) year of experience in providing task related direction and assistance to seasonal or intermittent employees, volunteers, landowners, sports enthusiasts, or the general public.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities:

1. Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.

2. Valid driver’s license.

3. Requires ability to work under adverse environmental conditions.

4. Requires ability to lift loads which exceed 60 lbs., to traverse rough and broken terrain on foot without mechanical assistance, and to negotiate a variety of natural obstacles while using, carrying, or otherwise transporting, a variety of equipment.

5. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description. 

Agency and Division Statement

DNR Agency Statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs; flexible/remote work schedules may be available for certain positions.

Division of Wildlife Resources

The mission of the Wildlife Resources Division is "To provide leadership with the restoration, management and protection of wildlife populations and their habitats, in accordance with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation." To carry out this mission we restore, manage, and/or protect wildlife to ensure viable populations, provide compatible recreational opportunities, and reduce negative interactions with people; restore, manage, and protect wildlife habitats to ensure wildlife integrations with people; increase customer service with current constituents while working toward expanding the State's customer base; continue to inform Illinoisans about handling human-wildlife conflicts, private land management, and how IDNR manages wildlife populations.