Job Listing: Supervising Fish and Wildlife/ Habitat Improvement Specialist, NYS DEC – Region 9, Buffalo, NY

Title: Supervising Fish and Wildlife/ Habitat Improvement Specialist

Location: NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Region 9, Buffalo, New York

Position Overview:
A qualified individual is sought to coordinate and assist in the implementation of fish and wildlife habitat restoration and improvements along the Niagara River in the counties of Erie and Niagara.
The relicensing of the Niagara Power Project included an agreement to fund a Professional Biologist who would coordinate on behalf of the New York State DEC with the New York Power Authority (NYPA), US fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in connection with the approved $12 million in Habitat Improvement Projects (HIPs) that NYPA is implementing, $16 million in Fish and Wildlife Habitat Enhancement and Restoration Fund (FWHERF), and $1 million in land acquisition funds that were part of the relicensing agreement. This position will be a member of the Ecological Standing Committee (ESC) which reviews the proposals for future habitat enhancement and restoration projects under the Relicensing Agreement and will also review proposals for the use of NYPA funds for the Niagara River Greenway as a member and committee chair of the Greenway Ecological Standing Committee (GESC). This position will also represent the DEC as a Commissioner on the Niagara River Greenway.

Responsibilities:

  1. Work cooperatively with NYPA as a DEC supervised biologist and member of the ESC, to monitor the success of the ongoing NYPA Habitat Improvement Projects (HIPs), identify issues prohibiting success, recommend modifications and implement improvements. Responsibilities would include acting as a liaison between NYPA and other divisions within DEC to facilitate permits and permissions related to the implementation of NYPA HIPs.
  2. Serve as a DEC representative to the GESC reviewing proposals for funding approval forwarded by the Commissioners of the Niagara River Greenway.
  3. Represent the DEC through participation on the ESC in decisions made to utilize funds established for the FWHERF. These funds are to be used for research and habitat enhancement and restoration of vertebrate and in vertebrate aquatic and terrestrial species and rare, threatened, and endangered species in the Niagara River Basin.
  4. Represent DEC on the Niagara River Greenway Commission to review new Greenway proposals for consistency with the Greenway plan and provide
    leadership on the Commission for issues related to the environment and public access to Greenway resources.
  5. Work with DEC Regional staff and NGOs to identify and acquire important habitats in the Niagara River watershed using the $1 million land acquisition fund.
  6. Work with DEC Regional staff to identify habitat improvement projects that could occur on DEC lands, develop proposals for FWHERF funding and manage the project through completion.
  7. Work with DEC Regional staff and NGOs in identifying sites that would provide additional public access to the Niagara River and pursue acquisition and development using various funding sources.
  8. Work under the supervision of the Regional Supervisor of Natural Resources and cooperatively with other DEC Program Managers in the Divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Lands and Forests, Permits and the Great Lakes Program representing DEC on issues involving the habitat improvement and protection of the Niagara River.

Qualifications:
Candidates must have demonstrated experience in or knowledge of:

  1. Fish and Wildlife management practices as they relate to habitat manipulation and management
  2. Wetlands and riverine ecology and management.
  3. Budgeting, report writing and data analysis.
  4. Supervision skills.
  5. Work with the public in outreach, coordination and speaking.
  6. Working both independently and with others in a committee within a structured format.
  7. Operation and trailering of watercraft.
  8. Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and similar plans.
    The applicant must be detail oriented and organized with the ability to perform multiple tasks and have high verbal and written communication skills. Must have the ability to establish and meet deadlines. Must be able to work in field conditions and in extreme weather conditions.
    A valid NYS driver’s license is required.

Necessary Qualifications include (at a minimum): a bachelor’s degree in fisheries, wildlife, ecology or natural resources management from an accredited college or university and at least 5 years work experience in the field of fish and wildlife resources and/or habitat restoration. Applicant must also demonstrate previous experience in employee supervision, report writing, and budget development. Familiarity with the DEC Permits process is desired. A master’s degree may be substituted for up to 2 years work experience, 3 years for a more advanced degree (PhD).

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 working out of the Regional Headquarters in Buffalo, NY. The current agreement with NYPA provides funding for this position through December 2024, with possibility for extension.

The annual salary for this position is $80,000 – $85,000 negotiable based on experience. Membership in the NYS Retirement System and health insurance options are available for this position.

To Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume (with 3 references) by May 1st, 2022.

Apply to:
Kenneth S. Baginski
Supervisor of Natural Resources
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
182 East Union Street, Suite 3
Allegany, NY 14706
[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: $80,000 – 85,000
Last Date to apply: May 1st, 2022
Website: www.dec.ny.gov www.naturalheritagetrust.org
Contact: Kenneth S. Baginski
E-mail: [email protected] (Preferred)
Phone: 315-379-6411

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