HABITAT RESILIENCE BIOLOGIST

(IF&W SENIOR RESOURCE BIOLOGIST)

-ANTICIPATED VACANCY-

Opening Date:

January 02, 2025

Closing Date:

January 27, 2025 

Location:

Augusta*

Position #:

01865-1154

Position Type:

Full Time (Limited Period)

Class Code:

9387

Grade/Salary:

Grade 28 - $60,091.20 - $84,177.60 Per Year

*Hybrid remote/in-person work is possible in this position with management approval.

Do you love Maine’s natural resources, have a working knowledge of state and federal environmental laws as well as skills communicating natural resource protection measures? Join the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) to lead one of the Department’s essential programs to protect the State’s fish and wildlife resources!

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is seeking a Habitat Resilience Biologist (IF&W Senior Resource Biologist) to incorporate habitat conservation in statewide climate resilience initiatives. This position will support the Department’s contributions to the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge grant project Resilient Maine: Local Adaptation and Resilience Actions at a Coastwide Scale.

The position is located within the Beginning with Habitat Program, a program within the Habitat Conservation Section and is based in IF&Ws Augusta office.

Position duties may include:

• Contribute to interagency efforts to develop resources to support resilience to coastal and inland impacts of climate change.
• Conducting outreach to communities and partner organizations about climate resiliency science.
• Contribute to interagency efforts to promote climate resilience including living shoreline programs, regional planning initiatives, and grantmaking programs related to Resilient Maine.
• Representing the Department at interagency meetings and providing technical assistance related to fish and wildlife issues.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Beginning with Habitat Program Coordinator, Habitat Section Supervisor, Bureau Director, or Commissioner's Office. 

For questions related to the position, please contact Justin Schlawin by phone at (207) 557-1885 or by e-mail at justin.schlawin@maine.gov

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, or related field -AND- two (2) years of progressively responsible related laboratory or field research and/or management experience. Equivalent experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferences will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in land use, conservation, and climate resilience planning. Preference will also be given to candidates with project management experience, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to work under limited supervision in an oftentimes fast-paced environment with competing priorities.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: The questions below MUST be answered and submitted with your application.

1. Please describe your experience communicating complex scientific information or conveying conservation priorities and strategies to different audience types.
2. Please describe your experience collaborating across state or federal agencies, municipalities, or other organizations to achieve a common goal or planning objective.
3. Please describe your experience collecting, analyzing, and/or communicating scientific information related to flooding risk, habitat restoration techniques, climate vulnerability assessments.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter, a current Resume, and answers to the supplemental questions. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter, Resume, and answers to the supplemental questions, before the closing date, to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.

_______________________________________________________________

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96-$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.  
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 13.29% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.  
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you.  Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting.  If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.