Transportation Technical Assistance Liaison - Idaho

Reports to:                 Director of State Partnerships

Classification:             Salaried/Exempt

Start Date:                 May 2025

Term:                          5 years with possible extension based on funding

Salary:                        $65-75K, DOE plus benefits (Health Insurance, Paid Time Off, and 401K)

Position Location:

• Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) Headquarters in Boise, Idaho
• This position will require frequent travel to Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) Headquarters, also located in Boise, Idaho, and some field/overnight travel in ID.

Job Description:

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) and Idaho Fish and Game Department are seeking a highly motivated and dedicated individual to fill the role of Transportation Technical Assistance Liaison to support IDFG with providing biological technical assistance to ITD. In this role, you will be a critical member of an interagency team supporting ITD’s programs and projects with a nexus to fish, wildlife, and botanical resources. This position will provide leadership and creativity for exploring and implementing solutions to benefit both conservation and society’s transportation needs. If you are passionate about conservation and helping people, this position will offer you a fulfilling role supporting the convergence of the MDF, IDFG, and ITD missions.

The individual will be an MDF employee and will be eligible for MDF’s benefits package. The individual will also work closely with the MDF staff and volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Participation in the planning of transportation projects with a nexus to fish, wildlife, or botanical resources
• Support for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) processes, including reviews of biological analyses and preparation of reports/documents
• Assessment of potential transportation project effects on fish, wildlife, and botanical resources, and recommendations to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential adverse project effects
• Coordination of technical assistance support to ITD by IDFG subject-matter experts
• Support for ITD’s pollinator conservation and right-of-way vegetation management, including implementation of ITD’s Monarch Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances
• Support for ITD’s use of a roadkill mobile application and IDFG’s Idaho Fish and Wildlife Information System
• Support for Endangered Species Act consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
• Support for wetland/waters mitigation with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR), Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Support for ITD’s implementation of Idaho’s State Wildlife Action Plan, including coordinating the Species of Greatest Conservation Need list with IDFG regional staff

Coordination of and participation in meetings with State of Idaho (e.g., IDFG, IDWR, IDEQ, Office of Species Conservation), federal agencies (e.g., USFWS, NMFS, USACE), Non-Governmental Organizations (MDF, others) and Native American Tribes. Skills Required/Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in wildlife biology, natural resources, or a related field
• Professional experience in fish and wildlife conservation (5+ years preferred) and experience with transportation projects
• National Environmental Policy Act – working knowledge and experience of the National Environmental Policy Act is preferred.
• A strong understanding of natural resource and transportation issues in the respective region.
• Effective communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently and within a team
• Ability to work with a wide range of people with differing and sometimes conflicting opinions
• Excellent problem solving, prioritization, communication, and organizational skills to manage multiple projects
• Technical skills using Microsoft 365 Suite (Email, TEAMS, Word, Excel, etc.), Adobe, Zoom, Google Meets, Avenza, and ESRI (ArcGIS)
• Ability to represent MDF/IDFG/ITD in a clear and professional manner through excellent written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills
• A passion for conservation and the ability to contribute positively to organizational cultures and values of MDF, IDFG, and ITD