Private Lands Assistant Biologist

Salary: $60,000 Annually
Location: Augusta, ME
Job Type: Full-Time Opening Date: 2/27/2025
Closing Date: 3/21/2025
Duration: 1 year with possible extension

Description of Work

The Beginning with Habitat Program, within the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, equips Maine communities, landowners, and conservation partners with tools to protect, restore, and connect high-value habitats and ecosystems in a changing climate. A one-year position with Beginning with Habitat is available for a highly qualified individual to support private landowners in managing for at-risk species and habitats.

This is an exciting opportunity for an individual to join the Beginning with Habitat team and support the MDIFW Private Landowner Biologist to help private landowners achieve their wildlife management goals and to support management for Maine’s Species of Greatest Conservation Need on private lands.

Duties may include:

• Support landowners to achieve their habitat management goals, and to conduct habitat conservation actions identified in Maine’s Wildlife Action Plan, through:
  • Field visits
  • Supporting landowners to enroll in incentive programs and cost-share opportunities (such as through the Natural Resource Conservation Service)
  • Connecting landowners with partner organizations and agencies.
• Support Beginning with Habitat private landowner outreach efforts at conferences, meetings, or other forums.
• Conduct reviews of Forest Management Plans to include best management practices for wildlife.
• Assist with the preparation of technical guidance for wildlife habitat management.

This is a contracted one-year position in partnership with the Wildlife Management Institute. This position will be classified as a contract biologist of the WMI. The Beginning with Habitat Program Coordinator and Private Lands Biologist within MDIFW will provide direct supervision of day-to-day activities.

Benefits

Through WMI you will be eligible for WMI 401(k) retirement plan with match. WMI will provide health, dental and eye insurance, workers’ compensation, general liability protection, professional liability protection and unemployment insurance benefits. WMI will withhold taxes including social security.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, or a related field.
• Familiarity with nongame and endangered wildlife, at-risk plant species, and Maine Biogeography.
• Effective communication skills with diverse audiences, including formal presentation experience;
• Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems, including ArcPro
• Proficiency in computer operations;
• Ability to function independently;
• Ability to coordinate and collaborate with private landowners, NGOs, state agencies and other partners