Title: Hourly Fish and Wildlife Technician (approximately 8 months)
Location: Louisville, New York

Position Overview:
A qualified individual is sought to assist with technical tasks related to the operation and maintenance of several Habitat Improvement Projects along the St. Lawrence River in St. Lawrence County, NY, along with supporting management activities at the Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area, and various ecological or recreational-based amenities located in the St. Lawrence-FDR power project. These include outdoor work, sometimes in extreme or inclement weather, and indoor office/lab/maintenance shop-type assignments.

These activities are required as a result of the Federal relicensing agreement for the New York Power Authority (NYPA) St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project located in Massena, New York. The individual hired for this position will support the operation and management of over 4,000 acres of wetlands and upland habitats at Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area (WHWMA), the 10 existing Habitat Improvement Projects (HIPs) associated with the power project, and implementation of various other future HIPs in the area. These activities are overseen by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

Responsibilities:
Working out of Louisville, New York (near Massena, NY), the position will include the following responsibilities:

• Under the direction of supervisory Project staff, performing operational aspects of WHWMA maintenance such as routine inspections, general dike maintenance, water level monitoring and control, boundary line maintenance, habitat management including mowing and clearing brush and trees, and road, gate, parking area, trail, building, and equipment cleaning and maintenance.
• Assist in completing wildlife and fisheries surveys, habitat evaluations, and other inventories required to assess and evaluate the success of habitat improvements on WHWMA and various HIPs as they are completed.
• Implementing operational aspects of HIP maintenance and operation such as routine inspections, performance evaluations, and biological monitoring.
• Assisting Region 6 fish and wildlife staff with program activities such as wildlife and fisheries population assessments, habitat surveys, waterfowl banding, and public access monitoring and control, as needed, within the Project boundary.
• Related administrative and reporting duties.

Qualifications:
Candidates will be considered on demonstrated experience in or knowledge of: 1) fish and wildlife management practices as they relate to habitat manipulation and management; 2) operating and maintaining equipment (tractors, brushhogs and mowers, boats, and small engines); 3) wildlife and/or fisheries research and monitoring techniques; and 4) understanding of basic construction activities as related to management of wildlife management areas. The applicant must be detail oriented and organized with the ability to perform multiple tasks, have high verbal and written communication skills, be able to work independently and with structured deadlines, and must be able to work in the field in remote locations in (at times) extreme weather conditions. The work occasionally requires strenuous physical exertion,
including long periods of standing, reaching, bending, and walking in thick vegetation or open water, and the ability to lift and move objects weighing 40 pounds or more. Job applicants with fish, wildlife (including waterfowl, passerines, and reptiles and amphibians), and vegetation identification skills will be given special consideration for this position. Necessary qualifications include (at a minimum): a two-year degree in fisheries, wildlife, or natural resources management or related field of study. Strong applicants will also demonstrate experience in habitat manipulation and management and/or survey and monitoring techniques associated with the conservation and management of fish and wildlife populations. A valid State driver’s license is required.

This position is funded by NYPA through the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).
* The selected candidate will be an employee of the NHT with work conducted under the supervision of DEC.
The starting compensation for this position is $17.50/hourly with benefits.

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume (with 3 references) by 1 March 2019. Michael R. Morgan, Project Manager
St. Lawrence Habitat Project
1003 County Route 39
Chase Mills, NY 13662
or by email: [email protected]

*The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) is a New York State public benefit corporation. Established in 1968, the Trust’s mission is to receive and administer gifts, grants and other funds to further public programs for parks, recreation, conservation, waterfront revitalization, and historic preservation purposes of the State of New York. The NHT is governed by a four‐member board comprised of the Commissioner of State Parks, the Chair of the State Council of Parks, the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation and the Secretary of State.
It is the policy of the State of New York to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
Salary: $17.50/hour
Last Date to apply: March 1, 2019
Website: www.dec.ny.gov
Contact: Michael R. Morgan
E-mail: [email protected] (Preferred) Phone: 315-705-5539