Title: Assistant Natural History Biologist (Hourly)
Requisition Id: 3676
Hourly Pay Rate: $19.45
Hourly Pay Grade: H6
Expected Work Schedule: Averages close to 40 hours weekly; occasional weekend, early morning, and evening work required; occasional paid overnight stays required for conferences and training
Job Location: Kansas City Regional Office (LEESS2)
Closing Date: 1/23/2025
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 this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, Krista M Noel , at Krista.Noel@mdc.mo.gov or call 816 5250300x1228 , Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm.
Summary/Objective
Assist the Natural History Biologist with updating and adding to the Department's Natural Heritage Database of rare natural communities and species of conservation concern, serve as a source of natural history knowledge for the region, utilize the Community Health Index to monitor natural communities, assist with Landscape Health Index monitoring, and focus work on the Region's three Priority Geographies as part of the Department's Comprehensive Conservation Strategy. Work both independently and as a team with Department staff, partners, private landowners, and volunteers to conserve Missouri's fish, forests, and wildlife.
Essential Job Duties
- Conduct field work for various projects, including audible and visual surveys, data collection, radio tracking, trapping, habitat management, and sample collection in sometimes adverse weather conditions with strenuous physical activity.
- Accurate data entry and management.
- Interest in west central Missouri's natural communities, flora, and fauna in order to add/update to the Natural Heritage Database.
- Clean, maintain, and purchase equipment.
- Acquire landowner information for contacting landowners, share knowledge with public and staff, assist with outreach and education via PowerPoint and educational booths.
- Create maps in ArcPro.
- Ability to use dichotomous keys.
- Ability to work alone in remote field locations.
- Ability to use aerial and topo maps with GPS to navigate to remote field locations.
- Participate in prescribed fires after obtaining the Department's certification.
Ancillary Job Duties
Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Associate's Degree, or some college coursework, in Wildlife Conservation, Plant or Animal Ecology, Biology, or related.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to use office equipment, such as copier, phone, fax, scanner, and computer.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Ability to use provided computer technology to enhance the quality of work and programs.
- Ability to keep focused on understanding, anticipating and responding to the needs of customers (whether Department employees or the general public).
- Ability to persuade others to "buy into" a course of action.
- Ability to identify internal and external politics that impact the work of the Department.
- Ability to define a problem, analyze relevant information, and develop solutions and plans to solve the problem.
- Ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships.
- Ability to operate ATVs and power tools.
- GIS and GPS knowledge.
- Ability to travel and stay overnight.
- Ability to work varying hours and shifts.
Work Environment
- Work is performed in a standard office environment.
- Occasionally perform outdoors where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
Physical Abilities
- Ability to move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
- Occasionally position self to access items on shelves, under desks or in high or low areas.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Regularly lift up to 5 pounds, correctly lift up to 20 pounds.
- 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 Nonexempt 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.
Nearest Major Market: Kansas City