District Wildlife Habitat Biologist

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking to hire a Natural Resources Specialist for the Office of Resource Conservation. This position will participate in the development of regional goals and objectives; formulate public land resource management strategies for the implementation, adherence, and compliance of related Divisional operational policies, procedures, and programs; provide technical direction to other District assigned personnel providing wildlife resource planning and management expertise to public lands; conduct field investigations of wildlife mortality events, assist in managing events, and secure samples as appropriate; participate in the preparation and prioritization of the operating budget for the district.  We welcome all interested and qualified candidates to apply. 

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision of the Regional Wildlife Resources Administrator, provides professional comprehensive land, water, and wildlife resource management and planning services on all public lands within the district. 
• Conducts wildlife disease management and monitoring for diseases such as chronic wasting disease, epizootic hemorrhagic disease, avian influenza, and others. 
• Provides professional comprehensive land, water and wildlife resource management and planning services on all private lands within the district. 
• 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 wildlife resource management, or a directly related biological science; or requires a bachelor’s degree in wildlife resource management, or a directly related biological science, supplemented by two years of directly related professional experience. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of flora, fauna, and modern wildlife management techniques. 
• One (1) year of directly-related experience as a professional wildlife biologist or professional natural resource manager with responsibility for planning and implementing natural resource management practices on public and/or private land.
• 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. 
• Working knowledge of public relations principles, techniques, theories & practices, including the ability to deliver informational presentations. 

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:

• Requires the completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to work under adverse environmental conditions
• Requires ability to lift, carry, and transport loads exceeding sixty pounds through 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. 
• Requires ability to negotiate a variety of natural obstacles while using, carrying, or otherwise transporting a variety of equipment.
• 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 Division of Wildlife Resources 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.