The formal education equivalent of a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, botany, or a related field; plus two years of experience in wildlife management or a related field

OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES CHIEF.

Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources Management or Forestry with a minimum of 1 year of experience in forest management.  Experience in bottomland hardwood management and in administering timber sales is preferred.  It is preferred for the applicant to be a licensed, registered forester with the Arkansas Board of Registration or a reciprocal agreement with another state.  It also is preferred for the applicant to be familiar with forestry equipment, including hardware and software products, at use in today's forestry and wildlife technologies.

Knowledge of the principles of biology, ecology, and related environmental sciences. Knowledge of game and fish management programs including propagation, cultivation, and harvesting techniques. Knowledge of game and fish management laboratory and field survey equipment, techniques, and procedures. Knowledge of supervisory practices and procedures. Ability to plan, organize, and oversee the work of subordinates. Ability to make public presentations. Ability to plan work unit objectives and operational activities and assign and direct the work of subordinate supervisors. Ability to conduct scientific game and fish survey and studies, analyze and evaluate collected data, and prepare written narrative reports of findings. Ability to direct, coordinate, and maintain wildlife management programs.

Knowledge of the principles of forestry and wildlife biology.  Knowledge of game and fish management programs including resource inventories, prescribed burning, forest harvest methods and other silvicultural techniques.  Ability to plan, organize, oversee detailed management plans and the work of subordinates and outside contractors.  Ability to make public presentations.  Ability to plan work independent of close supervision that meets Wildlife Management Area objectives and operational activities and to assign and direct the work of co-workers.  Some basic firefighting training and prescribed burning experience is preferred and a basic knowledge of wildlife management is necessary.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Biologist Specialist is responsible for supervising a wildlife management program.  This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy.

Plans and conducts various biological surveys to investigate population, habitat, and ecology of game and fish species and conducts studies of game and fish propagation, cultivation, and harvest.

Analyzes and evaluates survey and sampling data and writes reports describing the results of the data and makes recommendations on game and fish populations.

Directs the development of various wildlife management areas or fish propagation and cultivation and treatment plans based on district management plans.  Assists supervisor with districts’ annual budgetary projections, prepares various reports and purchase orders, requisitions for equipment, supplies, and parts, and prepares monthly activity reports.

Makes presentations to civic groups, schools and clubs, and conducts public meetings to explain new and/or proposed rules and regulations and/or to hear complaints about wildlife management.

Writes articles for news releases on game and fish activities in district.

Assists supervisor in the development of game and fish management plans and proposals to expand or improve management areas.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Develops, implements, directs, supervises and monitors habitat management plans and habitat-related activities on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMA).  Provides professional/technical advice and direction to field staff regarding manipulation and management of both forested and open land habitat types in the south east portion of Arkansas.  Evaluates and recommends WMA land acquisitions and boundary line surveying/marking. Directs and conducts WMA silvicultural activities, including comprehensive resource inventories, timber marking, chemical injection and other service contracts and implements contract auditing procedures for these projects.  Serves as a member of the regional prescribed fire crew during planned burns on state-owned WMAs.  Utilizes Global Positioning System equipment and forestry software to complete job duties.  Develops GIS maps and land information databases for resource planning, management and agency databases.  Submits oral and written reports and maintains WMA management data files.  Develops, directs, submits and monitors annual/project budgets.  Carries out professional and technical duties as assigned.  Conducts public relations work with various types of agencies, private industry, professional and civic organizations and outdoor recreational groups.  Must understand and be willing to function in a multi-faceted, team-oriented work environment.  Must maintain close individual contact with and develop solid working relationships with all Wildlife Management Division personnel.  Heavy physical demands in inclement weather may be frequently required. Required physical fitness test for control burning includes successful completion of pack test.  Some overnight travel is required.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Frequent in-state travel and field work with exposure to inclement weather is required.  Occasional exposure to  hunters and dangerous animals may be required.

All applicants are subjected to a criminal background check.