Title: Feral Hog Technician (Term Position - 2 Openings)
Requisition Id: 3800
Salary: $36,756.00 - $45,000.00
Salary Grade: S5
Job Location: Home Address (HOME) - Must live in one of the following counties: Carter or Wayne
Closing Date: April 4, 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,Ryan J Houf at Ryan.Houf@mdc.mo.gov or at573 7274227, during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
Successful candidates will be responsible for organizing, conducting, and implementing direct control operations for feral hogs.
Essential Job Duties
- Will implement scouting, monitoring, and feral hog elimination strategies dictated by the feral hog elimination partnership incident command leadership.
- Responds to landowner requests for assistance with feral hog damage.
- Meets with landowner, inspects damage, in cooperation with landowner devises a plan to eliminate feral hogs from landowner’s property.
- Work with area managers on Conservation Areas and other public partner properties to locate feral hog damage and take actions to eliminate feral hogs from the areas/properties.
- Inspects and surveys areas and, as necessary, will prepare or revise existing programs. Assigned areas are ranches, farms, and urban communities within the county which are covered by agreements relating to the conduct of approved control methods.
- Prepares and assists others in preparing and submitting routine and special reports regarding daily, weekly or monthly activities, observations, events and other relevant data.
- Meets with private landowners, lessees, citizen groups or associations which seek feral hog damage control and negotiates control strategies that help meet the landowners’ s goals.
- Serves as an instructor and conducts demonstrations and training for others on feral hog damage control methods, procedures, and program objectives.
- This includes preliminary instructions and training of Department and partner staff on devices, chemicals, firearms, etc., reporting procedures, data collection, field responsibilities and other technical aspects of the animal damage program.
- Represents the Department at public outreach events.
- Responsible for reporting accomplishments, problems encountered, work locations, etc. to supervisor.
- Responsible for Department-owned equipment for which an inventory must be maintained and reported.
- Must demonstrate a respect for the need for safety in all operations including the operation of motor vehicles, firearms, and equipment.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.
- Must have 6 months of general work experience.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries, Forestry, Wildlife Management, Natural Resources, Biological Science, or related field is desired.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to develop and sustain partnerships and cooperative working relationships with landowners and other partners.
- Experience in identifying North American wildlife species is desirable.
- Experience in the principles of wildlife ecology and management in support of a wildlife management program.
- Experience in preparing baits and setting traps in accordance with standard procedures.
- Time management and organizational skills.
- Experience keeping routine and basic records of daily activities and observations.
- Experience in conducting basic computer operations for record keeping, data analysis, report writing and correspondence.
- Experience in operating GPS equipment, reading maps, and orienting to remote locations.
- Experience in wildlife damage mitigation methods and techniques.
- Ability to define a problem, analyze relevant information, and develop a solution to solve the problem.
- Able to develop new insights into situations and apply innovative solutions to solve the problem.
- Must demonstrate technical proficiency in areas of responsibility.
- Must demonstrate a respect for safety in all operations, including the operation of motor vehicles, trailers, UTVs, firearms, control devices, and equipment.
- Must have the legal and physical ability to possess and discharge firearms.
- Must be Hunter Education Certified.
Work Environment
- Frequently work outdoors, often in rugged terrain and inclement weather (typically four to five days per week).
- Work may be performed outdoors where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions are present.
- Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
Physical Abilities
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Operate a computer and some machinery.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more, and three-dimensional vision.
- Regularly lift up to 50 pounds and correctly.
- 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 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: Jefferson City
Nearest Secondary Market: Columbia Missouri