Title: Fisheries Biologist
Requisition Id: 3559
Salary: $50,088.00 - $62,508.00
Salary Grade: S8
Job Location: Chillicothe Office (CHILL1)
Closing Date: January 3, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor- Scott Roy at Scott.Roy@mdc.mo.gov or at 660-359-5685 ext 114. We'd love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
Manage, protect, and conserve the fishery and other aquatic resources in an assigned area.
Essential Job Duties
- Collect, compile, summarize, analyze, and interpret fish population, habitat, and angler survey data, and provide regulation, stocking, and aquatic plant management recommendations.
- Develop, management plans, fishery status reports, information for federal aid reports, annual fishing prospects, news releases, and responses for public information requests.
- Perform fish kill and aquatic pollution investigations, as well as, permit compliance reviews.
- Manage programs and secure funding for stream, pond or watershed improvement projects including grant writing, budget planning, administration, and evaluation.
- Coordinate species management plans, and serve as recovery leader for rare, threatened or endangered species.
- Collaborate on concept, design, construction, and installation of capital improvement, small construction, and habitat improvement projects.
- Conduct oral presentations, workshops, and education programs to anglers, schools, and landowners on various topics by preparing training aids, pamphlets, and guide sheets.
- Promote, develop, acquire, and monitor conservation easements on high quality stream corridor habitat.
- Provide technical assistance on pond and stream issues through phone calls, emails and on-site visits.
- Make recommendations on fish population management, aquatic plant establishment and control, water quality issues, and general pond maintenance.
- Oversee staff and provide technical training as an instructor to other departments.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Conduct media interviews on a variety of topics.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries Management, Biological Sciences, or related field.
- At least three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license.
- Ability to pass an approved boating safety course and obtain a Missouri Boating Safety Certification Card within 6 months of employment.
- Ability to obtain Pesticide Applicator License.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to operate boats, outboard motors, land maintenance equipment, power tools and large trucks pulling trailers.
- Ability to safely apply electricity to water to stun and collect fish.
- Ability to make timely and effective decisions with available information or knowledge within own span of authority.
- Ability to establish comprehensive and realistic plans of action to accomplish activities and evaluate progress.
- Ability to define a problem, analyze relevant information, and develop solutions and plans to solve the problem.
- Ability to evaluate and analyze Branch programs and develop recommendations for improvement.
- Ability to exercise judgment and initiative in interpreting Department and Branch policies and procedures and in delegating responsibilities.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to travel and stay overnight.
- Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with Department personnel, staff of related state and federal agencies and the public.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in outdoor environments.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
Physical Abilities
- Remain stationary up to 70% of the time.
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate machinery to other areas.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination, and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Frequently lift up to 75 pounds, correctly lift up to 100 pounds.
- Concentrated attention is required at all times.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.