Assistant Wildlife Biologist

The Assistant Wildlife Biologist at Pulama Lanai in Hawaii supports wildlife programs under the Wildlife Biologist's supervision. Responsibilities include managing seabird monitoring, overseeing field operations, coordinating projects, conducting surveys, and supporting invasive species control. The role involves data management, report preparation, and collaboration with conservation programs. The position requires fieldwork and may involve supervising staff and volunteers.
Job Description

Under the supervision and guidance of the Wildlife Biologist, assists with executing the Department's wildlife programs. With limited supervision, manages seabird colony monitoring and protection program in coordination with research partners and permitting agencies. Serves as point-of-contact for contractors and other partners on projects such as predator-proof fences, specialized seabird monitoring, and predator control. Manages field operations and logistics for monitoring native and non-native wildlife populations, including seabirds, invertebrates, non-native predators, and ungulates, and supports invasive species control. Coordinates with other Conservation Department programs to ensure effective protection of native wildlife populations. Responsible for equipment deployment and monitoring, field surveys, data collection and management, and report preparation in coordination with the Wildlife Biologist.

Compensation:

$60,000 - $75,000/year (Exempt)

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to: Wildlife Biologist

Supervises: Wildlife Technicians, may lead/oversee other Conservation Department staff, volunteers, contractors, cooperator and partner staff in the field depending on the project.

Quality Standards:
• Conduct individual and business affairs in highest ethical and legal fashion.
• Establish and contribute to a supportive, creative, enthusiastic, and cooperative working environment for all.
• Build strong communication links with supervisors, peers, and employees.
• Continuously strive for excellence in the workplace, the Company environment, and as a Company representative.
• Comply with all Company policies and standards.
• Conducts business in alignment with the Mission, Vision, and Values of Pūlama Lāna'i.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties
• Assists with planning, coordination and executing wildlife programs, including surveys and monitoring for seabirds, invertebrates, invasive predators, ungulate populations, and other native and non-native animals.
• Oversees fieldwork in support of invasive species control efforts, especially around priority wildlife areas.
• Assists with coordination of preparing, maintaining, and deployment of monitoring devices.
• Assists in overall program planning and implementation of research, monitoring and field projects pertaining to wildlife.
• Conducts management, assessments, and control actions per direction and protocols.
• Assists with surveys and monitoring for other wildlife projects, including marine mammals and sea turtles, invertebrates, bats, non-native birds, and game mammals.
• Assists with evaluation of projects for their effect on wildlife and makes recommendations for future developments.
• Assists with responding to calls for the salvage and care of sick, injured, stranded, or dead wildlife.
• Assists with habitat protection and improvement for ecosystem enhancement.
• Monitors and tracks actions and results, records and enters data for reporting and project tracking, creates and manages spatial data and maps, writes reports.
• Supports outreach, education, and trainings for internal and external audiences about wildlife issues.
• Complies with relevant state and federal regulations, as well as company policies and procedures.
• May lead or supervise crews.
• May participate in wildfire suppression and control.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualification/Requirements:

General Requirements:
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully as a productive team member with people of diverse cultures, ages, and educational backgrounds.
• Strong interest in natural resource management.
• Strong safety ethic.
• Able to effectively, efficiently, and safely execute instructions and direction.

Basic Job-Specific Required Experience and Abilities:
• Bachelor's degree (or higher) in wildlife biology or other natural resources field, with at least three years of work experience in natural resource management.
• Demonstrated leadership, team building, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to drive 4-wheel drive, ATV and UTV vehicles on off-road conditions.
• Able to identify key wildlife species, and knowledge of Hawaiian fauna.
• Able to accurately record data in the field, and enter and manage information in spreadsheets and databases.
• Able to work irregular hours, and serve on-call to assist in other program areas.
• Able work in remote field conditions and in inclement weather.
• Able to fly in and work around helicopters.
• Able to use computers, GPS, tablets, and other electronic devices. Proficient in Microsoft Office, and able to learn in-house database systems.

Preferred
• Experience handling seabirds and working around seabird colonies.
• Experience deploying, maintaining, and analyzing data from remote sensing technology (e.g., camera traps and auditory recorders).
• Experience with predator control, and wildlife surveying and monitoring techniques.
• Knowledge and experience in Hawaii conservation.
• Experience supervising staff and managing field operations.
• Experience with GIS mapping and data management.
• Knowledge and experience with Hawaiian language, culture, and/or natural resources; knowledge and experience with Lānaʻi natural resources and people.
• Knowledge and experience designing outreach, education, and training in natural resource and wildlife topics.

Required Work Cards/Certifications:
• Must pass a criminal background check to indicate ability to acquire, possess, and use firearms.
• Must possess (or be able to obtain) a current State of Hawaiʻi Hunting License.
• Must possess (or be able to obtain) current Wilderness First Responder and Red Cross First Aid Certifications.
• Must be able to successfully complete Basic Wildland Firefighter Training.
• Valid Hawaiʻi Driver's License and successful review of Motor Vehicle Record.

Physical Requirements:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distant vision, and color vision.
• The employee is required to operate objects, tools, or controls.
• Standing, moving, and carrying up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain in inclement weather.
• Ability to hike over uneven terrain for 5-8 miles.

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by an employee in this classification. It is not to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory, of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications of employees assigned to this job. Management has the right to add to, revise, or delete information in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.