Forester / Habitat Biologist / Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Forester/Habitat Biologist (Biologist II) is responsible for supervising wildlife management areas.  This position is governed by state and federal laws and agency policy. 

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:

• Knowledge of the principles of forestry and wildlife habitat management. 
• Experience in forest resource management should include; forest inventory, utilization of common forest inventory software, timber marking, implementation of timber harvest,  ArcGIS, forest inventory techniques and measurements, forest data interpretation, spatial analysis of forest data, principles of silviculture and Arkansas Best Management Practices for Water Quality Protection. 
• Ability to assess forest health and interpret forest health data. 
• Knowledge of the principles of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative; and Forest Management Standard. 
• Ability to plan, organize, and oversee detailed management plans and the work of subordinates and outside contractors. 
• Ability to make public presentations. 
• Ability to plan work independently of close supervision.
• Prescribed burning experience 

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops, implements, directs, supervises, and monitors forested-habitat management plans and habitat-related activities on state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Provides professional and technical advice and direction to agency staff regarding the manipulation and management of forested habitats.
• Directs and conducts WMA silvicultural activities, including comprehensive resource inventories, timber marking, timber sale administration and audit, chemical injection, and other services carried out by contractors. Implements contract auditing procedures for such projects.
• Uses relevant forestry equipment and software to complete job duties. Develops detailed maps and maintains land information databases for resource planning, management, and agency accomplishment tracking.
• Coordinates and participates in conducting biological surveys and studies of wildlife to determine population growth, propagation rates, and the effect of environmental and human conditions on particular species. Summarizes data and prepares reports.
• Participates in developing wildlife management area recommendations and the development of short- and long-term plans for future agency conservation activities. 
• Conducts public relations work with various 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, agency, and partner organization personnel.
• Projects project expenditures and assists supervisor in preparing program budget. 
• Submits written and oral reports regarding current activities.