Job Specification Details

Coordinate with program managers and Division Director on internal programmatic administration and implementation across the Division and the Department. Assist in the development of policy and fiscal management in the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Represent the Department before a variety of boards, commissions and committees at a high level. Supervision may be exercised over temporary or permanent employees. Work is performed under the supervision of a program manager or Division Director.

TECHNICAL
* Oversee data analysis and interpretation, and develop or manage complex databases and methodology
* Assist with administration of state and federal grants that support high priority fish and wildlife conservation projects including development of grant performance reports, proposals and study plans. 
* Oversee and review management activities to maintain populations of rare threatened and endangered species
* Provide technical assistance for regulatory processes, and coordinate with other Agency regulatory programs to assess impacts of development or regulated actions on fish and wildlife resources, including representing the Department in testimony, settlement agreements, and environmental impact assessments
* Coordinate and review fish and wildlife management and research projects at the regional or state level, and recommends adjustments and revisions
* Lead the development of guidelines, policies, rules, and laws pertaining to fish, wildlife, and habitat conservation
* Coordinate land acquisition interests for the VFWD including development and oversight of state and federal grants involving large amounts of funding with complex reporting and accounting requirements 

COLLABORATION
* Lead Department, Agency, or Cooperative teams or committees to plan, prioritize, develop, and implement fish and wildlife management and research projects
* Lead, represent VFWD, and provide expertise at regional and/or national technical committee, working group, organization, collaboration, meetings, conferences
* Lead collaborative efforts with partner organizations to plan and implement research, management, and conservation activities 
* Coordinate and oversee development, implementation and management of contracts, subrecipient grants and cooperative agreements
COMMUNICATION
* Oversee development and implementation of outreach plans at a statewide level (e.g., media interviews, presentations, press releases, popular articles, social media, website)
* Ensure appropriate opportunities for input from stakeholders including interest groups, and the general public on proposed management plans
* Respond to public health and safety concerns regarding fish and wildlife diseases, mass mortality events, and conflict with humans
* Coordinate with Department and Agency attorneys and leadership on policy and legal issues related to fish and wildlife conservation, in consultation with Program Managers and Division Directors

SUPERVISORY
* Perform the full range of supervisory duties including: hiring, training, evaluating, assigning and reviewing work, and resolving personnel issues

Duties are performed primarily in an office setting, with occasional field visits. Field visits may require traversing rough terrain or bodies of water in all weather conditions. Duties may require work outside of normal office hours. Attendance may be is required at a variety of public meetings, hearings, and seminars, where strong adversarial opinions and some hostility may be encountered. Private means of transportation may be required for necessary travel.

Advanced knowledge of fish/wildlife biology, management, conservation, and ecology as well as land management, conservation and restoration.

Advanced knowledge and experience with supervisory and hiring principles and practices.

Advanced knowledge of grant development, oversight, and reporting.

Advanced experience and expertise with project coordination at a high level working with multiple partners. 

Ability to instruct others on principles of wildlife/fish biology, management, data analysis.

Advanced ability and experience to plan, coordinate, and oversee research, monitoring, and conservation management projects.

Considerable experience and skills to develop multiple complex projects from beginning to completion utilizing a variety of resources without supervision and within the determined timeframe. 

Advanced ability and experience to evaluate and interpret complex research findings, and other information that informs program direction. 

Advanced knowledge and experience interpreting and applying state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, guidelines and procedures to inform program activities. 

Considerable knowledge of budget process and state/federal reporting requirements. 

Ability to communicate complex issues both orally and in writing to technical and non-technical audiences.

Master's degree or higher in biology or a natural resources field AND two (2) years or more of experience in a natural resources field INCLUDING one (1) year of supervisory experience.

OR 

Bachelor's degree in biology or a natural resources field AND four (4) years or more of experience in a natural resources field INCLUDING one (1) year of supervisory experience.

OR 

One (1) year or more of experience as a Fish and Wildlife Scientist IV with the State of Vermont.