Natural History Biologist

The Missouri Department of Conservation seeks a Natural History Biologist to monitor and protect natural communities and species. Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with regulations, providing training, and communicating with the public. A Master’s degree in a relevant field and two years of experience in resource management are required. The position is based in St Charles, MO, with significant fieldwork and occasional travel.
Requisition Id: 3835

Salary: $50,088.00 - $62,508.00

Salary Grade: S8

Job Location: St Louis Regional Office (STCHA1)

Closing Date: May 7, 2025

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.

To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor,Clinton R Owenby at Clinton.Owenby@mdc.mo.gov or at636 4563368x1884, during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!

Summary/Objective

Monitor, protect, and restore high quality natural communities and species of conservation concern.

Essential Job Duties
• Ensure resource management and other activities benefit and/or do not harm high quality natural communities or species of conservation concern.
• Enforce compliance with federal and state requirements and provide documentation that due diligence has been done to protect the communities and species.
• Provide training, programs, and workshops to internal and external interested parties.
• Communicate with the public through the creation of popular publications and/or brochures, conducting landowner visits, and answering phone calls/emails from the public and others.
• Share quantitative data and information via professional peer-reviewed publications and presentations.
• Prepare and administer budgets, inventory, and contracts.
• Hire, coordinate, and train volunteer staff.

Ancillary Job Duties
• Serve on internal and external regular and special committees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
• Master’s Degree in Wildlife Science, Ecology Biological Sciences, Zoology, or related.
• At least two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public land resource management or natural area management.
• Experience in Urban Wildlife Management, preferred.
• Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Ability to use office equipment, such as copier, phone, fax, scanner, and computer.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to use provided computer technology to enhance the quality of work and programs.
• Ability to keep focused on understanding, anticipating and responding to the needs of customers (whether Department employees or the general public).
• Ability to persuade others to “buy into” a course of action.
• Ability to identify internal and external politics that impact the work of the Department.
• Ability to define a problem, analyze relevant information, and develop solutions and plans to solve the problem.
• Ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships.
• Ability to operate ATVs and power tools.
• Ability to work varying hours and shifts.
• Working knowledge of GIS and GPS technologies.
• Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.

Work Environment
• Significant portion of work is performed in varying field environments.
• Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
• Often perform outdoors where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
• Occasional travel and overnight stays.

Physical Abilities
• Clarity of vision and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
• Ability to navigate in a variety of environments including woodlands, steep terrain, wetlands, caves, and uneven terrain
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Regularly lift up to 5 pounds, correctly lift up to 50 pounds.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.

Exemption Status/Special Notes

This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.

MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.

The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.