Wildlife Recovery Biologist

Role Responsibilities

The Wildlife Recovery Biologist will be responsible for the planning and delivery of both field-based operations and desk-based evaluation with reporting activities to support assessment of woodland caribou and wood bison population size, recruitment, mortality, movements and pathogens to address threats to at-risk wildlife caused by land-use, predation and disease.
This position plays a key role in providing strong professional and operational support, advice and direction to various provincial level tasks, strategies, policies and processes.  

Job responsibilities include:
 

• Ensuring scientifically credible and relevant population data are available to support woodland caribou and wood bison status reporting as well as recovery
• Evaluating and reporting woodland caribou and wood bison population data to ensure scientifically credible evidence is available to inform decisions made by government members, rights-holders and stakeholders
• Leading and supporting recovery actions for woodland caribou and wood bison to ensure threats are mitigated as well as population declines are slowed or reversed
• Supporting continued leadership by Alberta in woodland caribou and wood bison assessment as well as recovery

The incumbent will join a group of biologists that share responsibility for wildlife program delivery in northern Alberta.  In this role, the incumbent must be equally comfortable collaborating with other biologists and exercising a high degree of independence. Solid leadership, interpersonal, communication, problem solving and negotiating skills will serve the incumbent well in dealing with other professionals, Indigenous communities, stakeholders, industry and the public.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

Creative Problem Solving: Assess options and implications in new ways to inform decision making and identifying solutions to achieve outcomes.

Agility: Anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities while maintaining resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.

Develop Networks:  Establish credibility with integrity by proactively connecting and building trust to function cooperatively and productively with a highly motivated professional and technical team to determine solutions and achieve desired results. Communication skills are required to effectively consult and negotiate with internal and external stakeholders while clearly conveying technical and scientific information.

Drive for Results: Maximize resources to achieve results aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Requirements:
 

• University degree in biology, environmental science, natural resource management or a related field 
• Four years of directly related wildlife and land use integration experience  
• A valid Class 5 driver's license or equivalent  
• Willingness and ability to fly in small aircraft
• Demonstrated ability in the use of GIS software, data management, modelling and spatial analysis
• Willingness to travel throughout northeast Alberta for several days at a time and on very short notice

Equivalencies:
 

• Equivalencies will be considered on the basis of additional education considered in lieu of experience on a one-for-one basis (e.g., one year of additional education above the minimum requirements may be considered as one year of experience)
• Candidates with less than 4 years of experience may be considered at a lower classification 

Assets:
 

• A postgraduate degree in wildlife science is preferred  
• Experience working with woodland caribou or wood bison ecology and management
• Experience with wildlife data collection including aerial surveys, remote cameras, radio-telemetry and biological sampling
• Knowledge of ungulate population and habitat ecology
• Statistical modeling experience
• Knowledge of current Alberta policy and regulations as they pertain to woodland caribou and wood bison conservation and management (e.g., Wildlife Act, Master Schedule of Standards and Conditions, Alberta sub-regional planning)
• Knowledge of Federal Species at Risk legislation, recovery strategies, policies and conservation agreements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to develop and present both plain language documents as well as scientific reports
• Strong leadership and teamwork skills
• Knowledge of habitat restoration techniques
• Understanding of the forestry and energy sectors in Alberta

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week

This is a temporary position located in Edmonton with an end date of March 31, 2025. This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta at equal or lower classification.

Work Environment:

Fieldwork for this position will include traveling in small aircraft (primarily helicopters) to remote locations throughout the year and longer periods of time flying in helicopters during caribou and bison monitoring activities. Adverse weather and environmental conditions should be expected in both winter and summer. Fieldwork will also involve handling and sampling animal carcasses. The position will at times be required to travel throughout the province or region via highway vehicle. Off-road vehicles will also be used periodically. Work over the weekend will occasionally be required. Travel from Edmonton to sites throughout northeast Alberta may be required on very short notice.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

What the GoA has to offer:
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement
• Leadership and mentorship programs