Class
Code: 05340
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –
HUMAN RESOURCES
NATURAL RESOURCES BIOLOGIST
DEFINITION
Performs
professional fisheries or wildlife biological work in a hatchery, fisheries or
wildlife management, or research unit; oversees the work of other staff;
performs related work as required.
The Work Examples and Competencies listed are for
illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary basis for
position classification decisions.
WORK EXAMPLES
Designs
and conducts research projects to gather information about Iowa's fish
populations and waters; conducts limnological and biological assessments and
creel surveys; collects, records, analyzes, evaluates, and interprets data;
formulates conclusions and writes reports to be given to the supervisor for the
development of operating plans.
Manages,
develops, and maintains State game areas within an assigned geographical area;
handles problems that arise in work with the Soil Conservation Service, private
landowners, etc.; handles cooperative farming agreements for agricultural
operations on public hunting areas and provides extension services to private
landowners for wildlife benefits.
Acts
as liaison with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Soil
Conservation Service, and other such agencies with projects which may affect
the Department of Natural Resources' interest in the assigned area.
Promotes
public relations to increase public understanding and acceptance of
Departmental goals and programs pertaining to wildlife and fisheries biology;
writes articles and gives interviews for the Iowa Conservationist and
local newspapers; speaks on radio and television or addresses public organizations;
responds promptly to all inquires and complaints in a positive and informative
manner.
Manages
an aquatic ecosystem to maintain or enhance fisheries resources by fish
stocking, species manipulation, harvest regulation, and habitat alteration.
Prepares
and submits oral and written reports to inform agency personnel about project
status, to document work accomplished, and to provide a basis for long-range
planning; describes work performed; prepares supplementary graphs and tables;
summarizes accomplishments; makes recommendations.
Directs
the acquisition of materials and equipment for hatchery, research, and fish and
wildlife management projects to insure their efficient and timely
implementation within budget limitations; keeps a current inventory of
equipment; orders materials and monitors their delivery to project sites;
checks expenditures against budgeted allocations.
Directs
fish hatchery operations to meet fish production quotas and ensure efficient
operation of the facilities; directs subordinates in the propagation and
culture of fish, distribution of fish to waters, identification and treatment
of diseased fish, and maintenance of facilities.
Oversees
the carrying out of population surveys and harvest inventories of wildlife
species; devises improved techniques when necessary.
Prepares
recommendations for setting proper hunting and trapping seasons each year.
Performs
research and management activities within broad ecological or geographical
areas, on private and state-owned lands, in accordance with established
scientific methods and principles.
Prepares
technical reports on completed projects and programs, popular articles for
public information, or publications suitable for submission to scientific
outlets of national scope.
Assists
supervisor by performing such duties as instructing employees, answering
questions, distributing and balancing the workload and checking work; may make
suggestions on selections, promotions and reassignments.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Knowledge
of the principles, practices, and current trends in fisheries and wildlife
science.
Knowledge
of sampling methods and procedures used in conducting fisheries investigations.
Knowledge
of fisheries and wildlife management techniques as practiced in
Knowledge
of the current principles and practices of conservation in
Knowledge
of facility maintenance practices and operations.
Knowledge
of fish hatchery operations and fish culture.
Ability
to direct the work of subordinates including such activities as planning work
assignments, training, and evaluating performance.
Ability
to operate technical and specialized equipment used in fisheries and wildlife
work such as seines, elector-shocker, benthos sampler, radio-telemetry
equipment, immobilizing drugs, etc.
Ability
to plan and design short and long term fisheries and wildlife research and
investigative projects.
Ability
to perform the various tests and operations associated with fisheries and
wildlife functions.
Ability
to make fish or wildlife management decisions such as whether to recommend
stocking projects or changes in fishing or hunting regulations.
Ability
to use tact and courtesy in handling delicate and sensitive situations and in
dealing with the public.
Ability
to identify and investigate fisheries or wildlife resource problems such as
river channel modifications, water pollution, fish kills, wetland drainage,
etc.
Ability
to make budget plans and financial determinations on expenditures for areas of
responsibility.
Displays high standards of ethical
conduct. Exhibits honesty and
integrity. Refrains from theft-related,
dishonest or unethical behavior.
Works
and communicates with internal and external clients and customers to meet their
needs in a polite, courteous, and cooperative manner. Committed to quality service.
Displays
a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing
assignments efficiently. Works with
minimal supervision. Demonstrates
responsible behavior and attention to detail.
Responds
appropriately to supervision. Follows policy
and cooperates with supervisors.
Aligns
behavior with the needs, priorities and goals of the organization.
Encourages
and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust, and group identity. Fosters commitment and team spirit.
Expresses information to individuals
or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the
information. Listens to others and
responds appropriately.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Graduation
from an accredited four year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in
the biological sciences, including at least twelve semester hours (or the
academic equivalent) in fisheries biology, or nine semester hours in wildlife
biology, and the equivalent of two years of full-time work experience in
professional fisheries work or two years of full-time work experience in
professional wildlife work;
OR
a master's degree in
fisheries biology, wildlife biology, or fisheries management or wildlife
management;
OR
employees with current
continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience
equal to thirty-six months of full-time work as a Natural Resources Technician
1 or 2 shall be qualified.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Certain
designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain the
required Commercial Drivers License and endorsements within a period of time as
determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.
Certain designated
positions require the employee to be certified by the Department of Agriculture
and Land Stewardship as a Pesticide Applicator within a period of time as
determined by the appointing authority.
SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION
For
designated positions the appointing authority, with Iowa Department of
Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise prior approval, may
request those applicants possessing a minimum of twelve semester hours of
education, six months of experience, a combination of both, or a specific
certification, license, or endorsement in the following areas:
103 computer
science
900 fisheries
biologist
901 wildlife
biologist
For
designated positions the appointing authority, with Iowa Department of
Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise prior approval, may
request those applicants possessing a minimum of 18 semester hours of specific
education, six months’ experience, or a combination of both, in the following
area:
228 advanced
geographic information systems
Applicants wishing to
be considered for such designated positions must list applicable course work,
experience, certificate, license, or endorsement on the application.
Effective Date: 04/07 CH