Wildlife Resources Specialist 3

Wildlife Resources Specialist 3

Salary

$45,657.00 - $80,045.00 Annually

Location

Mason County, WV

Job Type

Full-Time Permanent

Job Number

NR26-86 PSA

Department

Commerce - Natural Resources

Opening Date

09/17/2026

Closing Date

10/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

LOCATION OF VACANCY

MASON

Civil Service Type:

Classified - This Position is Covered Under the DOP Merit System.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Nature of Work

Classified/Classified-Exempt Position

Wildlife Resources/McClintic Wildlife Management Area Under the direction of the District Wildlife Biologist and the Assistant District Wildlife Biologist, the Wildlife Resource Specialist 3 will be responsible for wildlife and habitat management activities on the McClintic Wildlife Management Area. In addition, this position will assist with the implementation of wildlife research and management programs across the 9-county district in southwestern West Virginia. The employee is expected to conduct this work under limited supervision. This work will require that the position:

• Develop and implement wildlife management plans for the WMA. The employee is expected to conduct advanced level development work on these plans with limited supervision.

• Maintain a headquarters building, storage buildings, shooting range, and earthen dams as well as boundary markings and signs for the WMA. Maintain and inventory equipment including tractors, brush hugs, UTVs, trucks, and trailers. They must be able to safely and competently operate this equipment as well as chainsaws, firearms, trapping equipment, and other tools as needed. Must be able to operate boats, UTVs/ATVs, and standard 4-wheel drive vehicles.

• Oversee intensive land management operations including planning and leading prescribed burning, preparing and monitoring timber sales, using herbicides and mechanical treatments to manage vegetative communities, establishing and maintaining wildlife openings including planting and maintaining crops and native species, and overseeing Special Land Use Permissions. This will require that the employee possess a strong working knowledge of common game management, silvicultural, and agricultural practices.

• Recruit and supervise seasonal labor staff to conduct habitat improvements and maintain facilities. The employee may also be asked to train lower-level Wildlife Resource Specialists.

• Conduct wildlife surveys and assist with research and monitoring projects including vegetative surveys (e.g., mast surveys), wildlife surveys (e.g., distance sampling, hunter check station), and wildlife capture and handling that requires independently trapping and chemically immobilizing wildlife, taking biometric data and biological samples from wildlife, and tagging and radio collaring wildlife including deer, bear, turkeys, and migratory birds. Lead District-level dove banding efforts. Conduct wildlife disease and other biological sampling as needed, including sampling for chronic wasting disease (CWD), epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

• Independently investigate and address nuisance and diseased wildlife complaints.

• Lead preparation and operation of controlled waterfowl hunts and other controlled hunts as needed.

• Communicate effectively - both written and orally - about highly technical topics with other agency staff, federal regulators and partners, and public resource users.

Note that this work is often performed outside, in varying weather conditions, over difficult terrain and/or state waters. Employee must possess a valid drivers license. Work is completed independently; therefore, the employee must be self-motivated and resourceful. The employee will perform other duties as assigned. Employee may be required to reside in an on-site residence. Regular attendance is required.

• If, at time of hire, the candidate possesses SNRPO certification, the candidate will be placed in a Classified position. If the candidate does not possess SNRPO certification, the candidate will be placed in a Classified-exempt position.

Minimum Qualifications

Training: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in fish/wildlife management and biology, natural resources management, fish culture, agriculture, environmental sciences, conservation biology, or a related field.

AND

Experience: Four (4) years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in the field of wildlife management or related field.

Other Information

Preference will be given to applicants with a B.S. degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, or natural resources management; experience with prescribed fire, food plot management, and early successional habitat management; experience working with and handling game species (i.e., conducting necropsies, field research); and experience with chain saws, farm tractor and implement operation and maintenance through temporary, seasonal, full-time or other background experience.

State employment offers a variety of benefits. Click HERE to visit the Division of Personnels Benefits Page.

01

Type information about any college degrees, business school, vocational training or licensure here. You may also enter information about certification of ordination or ecclesiastical commission by an endorsing body or denomination here. Be as accurate as possible. This information will be used to determine your qualifications. For each entry, include details such as the degree, certificate or licensure earned, major/field of study, dates attended/graduated, and the name of the institution. Use the following examples as a guide:

• Degree: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) 12/09/2023 West Virginia State University
• Some college: 36 semester hours Spring 2021-Fall 2021 Marshall University
• Vocational-Technical school: 580 Clock Hours in Arc Welding May 2023 Ben Franklin Career Center
• Licensure/Certification: West Virginia Professional Engineering License 2024 If you have no relevant training or education to document, type "NONE" here.

02

Preference will be given to applicants with a B.S. degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, or natural resources management; experience with prescribed fire, food plot management, and early successional habitat management; experience working with and handling game species (i.e., conducting necropsies, field research); and experience with chain saws, farm tractor and implement operation and maintenance through temporary, seasonal, full-time or other background experience. Do you have a B.S. degree in wildlife management, wildlife biology, or natural resources management; experience with prescribed fire, food plot management, and early successional habitat management; experience working with and handling game species (i.e., conducting necropsies, field research); and experience with chain saws, farm tractor and implement operation and maintenance through temporary, seasonal, full-time or other background experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Were all of the jobs listed on your online application or resumé paid? If not, please list your unpaid positions below. If all of your jobs were paid, please enter "Yes". Please note that compensation may not only be salary or wages; it may also be room and board, gas mileage, etc.

04

Were all of the jobs listed on your application or resumé full-time positions? If not, please list your part-time positions below. If all of your jobs were full-time, please enter "Yes".

05

AFFIRMATION: I certify under penalty of law and disqualification that all statements are true and complete. I authorize the State of West Virginia and any agent acting on its behalf to conduct an inquiry into any job-related information contained in this application. I release the State of West Virginia and any agent acting on its behalf from any and all liability by reason of the request for such information. I further authorize and request each former employer, educational institution, or organization (including law enforcement agencies) to provide all information that may be sought in connection with this application. WE DO NOT ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION: Unofficial transcripts High school diplomas or transcripts Birth certificates Social Security Cards Driver's Licenses Passports These documents will be removed from your profile if submitted.

• I consent to the above statement.

Required Question

Employer West Virginia

Address 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East

Building 3 Suite 500

Charleston, West Virginia, 25305

Phone (304) 558-3950

Website http://personnel.wv.gov