Make a Difference in Oregon's Natural Resources! 

Help the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fulfill its mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

This permanent, full-time position is with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and is located in Salem, Oregon.

What you will do:

• Serve as the agency’s expert on carnivore and furbearer species in Oregon, including but not limited to black bears, cougars, wolves, beaver, bobcats, river otters, coyotes, fishers, marten, foxes, wolverines, and many more. Plans, implements, and acts as project leader for special projects and Carnivore-Furbearer Program activities.
• Identify information and research needs and priorities for carnivore-furbearer program and species. Develop project and research proposals and monitor, modify, and report on projects to ensure compliance and desired outcomes. Analyze data, generate products when necessary, and incorporate findings into agency decision-making.
• Coordinate the regulation-setting process for harvest of carnivores and furbearers in Oregon.  Coordinate implementation of Oregon Big Game Regulations for carnivores and Oregon Furbearer Trapping and Hunting Regulations. Prepare annual status reports on populations and complete analysis of harvest data as required.
• Coordinate conservation and management of species of greatest conservation need and threatened and endangered carnivore and furbearer species within the agency’s authority. Collaborate with agencies and groups to set and achieve conservation and recovery goals for these species.
• Represent agency on local, regional, national, and international carnivore and furbearer species technical committees. Represent the agency at informational meetings, public hearings, and before boards or commissions of other local or state agencies.  Serve as technical expert or witness on major complex issues before the courts, legislature, or other decision makers.
• Evaluate literature and reports for soundness of data collection and interpretation.  Evaluate proposed actions for compatibility with agency statutes, rules, and guidelines. Organize, evaluate, summarize, and draw conclusions from records of rulemaking including administrative rules, state and federal statutes, and court rulings. Respond to complex technical questions from agency staff and the public related to carnivore and furbearer issues.
• Evaluate and recommend policy, statute, and rule changes to improve program, draft administrative rule language, and prepare legislative concepts for program needs.  Present proposed policy and rule changes to agency leadership, policy makers, and the public.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

Working Conditions

• Working conditions can often be in a fast-paced environment with short deadlines. May include working outdoors under a variety of weather conditions. Statewide and nationwide travel frequently requires flying. Work schedules can change on short notice and may include long hours and involve weekends and evenings to attend meetings and meet deadlines. 
• This position requires occasional use of a firearm to deliver immobilization drugs and projecting nets for wildlife capture, euthanizing injured or sick wildlife, killing or hazing nuisance animals or birds, collecting animals for research or other studies, and protection from dangerous animals in close quarters.
• This position requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, and does not exceed forty (40) hours in a workweek. Work exceeding 40 hours per week requires prior approval by the supervisor.

Criminal Records/DMV Check
Applicants are subject to both a criminal history and motor vehicles check. Driving is required for all positions. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current certified driving record for review to be considered for the position. Be prepared to obtain as soon as possible. You are expected to provide the out-of-state certified driving record before an offer can be made unless extenuating circumstances exist. Adverse background and/or driving information may disqualify you from further consideration.

NOTE: Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Five years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program. At least three years of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities in a fish or wildlife program such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND
• A Bachelor's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological coursework, or three additional years of biological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fish or wildlife program.

A Master's degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Master's degree in biological/ecological sciences will substitute for up to one year of the required experience.

A Doctorate degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science or a closely-related Doctorate degree in biological/ecological sciences will substitute for up to two years of the required experience.

Requested Skills:

• Strong technical expertise regarding research, conservation, and management of carnivore and furbearer species.
• Experience developing management plans, guidelines, or conducting complex investigations, research, surveys, or statistical analyses.
• Experience working with the public, federal, state, and local agency personnel.
• Experience leading and implementing projects.
• Experience writing proposals, applications for funding, and manuscripts for publication.
• Experience communicating via various pathways and to a range of audiences including presenting to decision-making boards or commissions.

Additional Information:

Your answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by your resume or the "Job History" section in your application or you may not be considered for this position. You may be disqualified if your experience listed in your resume or the “Job History” section does not include information used to: 1) meet the minimum qualifications of the job and 2) back up your answers to the supplemental questions. If any of the positions listed in your application are part time or seasonal, be sure to include the dates you worked (month and year) and the average amount of hours worked per week in the duties section. Only those individuals who most closely match the requested skills will be invited to an interview.

Note: You will be required to provide a copy of your official or unofficial transcripts (online transcripts are acceptable) during the selection process that show your name, the name/address of the institution, coursework with passing grades, and degree conferred (including date), if you are using education to qualify. Transcripts and cover letters can be attached to your application in the Resume/CV/Cover Letter attachments field when you apply. Cover letters may not be reviewed unless it is stated as a requirement in the job posting.

For helpful tips on filling out your job history, responding to the supplemental questions, and submitting your application, click here

Internal Applicants: The contact information that is prefilled on your application is typically your work email and work phone number. Be sure to check your state email and Workday notifications for your status regarding the recruitment process. If you are away from the office or unable to check your state email account for an extended period, contact the HR Recruitment Unit and the hiring manager to let them know your personal email and phone number where you can be contacted. This will help to ensure you do not miss out on any correspondence that may be related to an interview. If you apply for a position as an internal applicant and then terminate while the recruitment is still in process, contact the Recruitment Unit to have your contact information updated.

External Applicants (non-state of Oregon employees): If you would like to retain a copy of this job posting, please print a copy before submitting your application. Once the job posting has closed, you will not be able to access the posting.

The job posting closes at 11:59 PM (PDT/PST) on the close date. After you submit your application, be sure to respond to the two questionnaires relating to public records requests and veterans’ preference immediately following your submittal. These questions are necessary to complete the application process.

Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you are experiencing difficulty applying for this position or have questions, please contact the ODFW Human Resources office at 503-947-6051.

This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified people to fill the current vacancy and may be used to fill other vacancies as they occur.

The employee in this position will be represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and will be subject to all terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement. Pay and benefits on all job listings may change without notice.

Veterans - If you are an eligible veteran and you meet the qualifications, veterans' preference points will be added to your score.  For more information on veterans' preference points visit www.oregonjobs.org and select Veterans resources under Resources. Please do not attach veteran documentation to your initial application, after you have applied you will be sent a task in your Workday account to provide your veteran documentation at that time.

Find information on State of Oregon benefits

More information about our agency can be found on our social media accounts and at myodfw.com and https://www.dfw.state.or.us/

If you are passionate about natural resources, we invite you to join our team and assist with furthering ODFW’s mission by partnering with communities and sharing how our work has a positive effect on Oregon’s fish, wildlife and their habitats. ODFW is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce as we strive to represent and better serve our neighboring communities. Our most important asset is our employees, and each person brings unique, different, and important contributions to the workplace and community we serve.  With Oregon’s changing demographics, a workforce that reflects this change will make us stronger and create an opportunity for better decision making. Consider joining our team as we lead ODFW into the future!

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer