Wildlife Program Manager

Position Summary:

Achieves the program goals and objectives by planning, managing, monitoring, and evaluating the daily operation of staff and services designed to protect, restore, and enhance resources of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Manages projects, performs research and investigations, and advises leadership and external agencies on management practices that benefit culturally significant wildlife. Honors and represents the mission, vision, values of CIT and of the Natural Resources Department.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops and implements a Wildlife Program strategic plan that aligns with CIT natural resource objectives and builds staff capacity.
• Participates in interviewing and hiring of staff.
• Participates in and hosts regular meetings to ensure communication between staff and program-related activities.
• Contributes to Wildlife Program effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range issues and goals that must be addressed; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of actions; and implementing directives.
• Achieves the financial objectives by exercising control and implementation over the budgetary processes; manages contract budgets and prepares and presents financial reports.
• Secures additional funding and grant monies for continuation and expansion of Wildlife Program services and equipment.
• Ensures the Tribe’s interests are clear to state and federal wildlife managers for culturally relevant wildlife species.
• Provides technical and policy support to the Natural Resources Department and other CIT entities.
• Collects and analyzes data to monitor wildlife and habitat conditions; creates maps.
• Prepares and presents reports on the status of Wildlife Program projects as needed.
• Captures, holds, transports, and releases beavers as part of the CIT’s Beaver Relocation Project; follows all applicable permits and protocols.
• Oversees the CIT’s beaver holding facility and its daily operations; receives animals into the facility; manages cleaning, disinfecting, feeding, and watering routines; inspects enclosures, observes condition of animals, and ensures humane care; keeps detailed records and logs; and conducts routine maintenance.
• Plans and implements habitat improvement projects; obtains necessary permits and approvals; coordinates with other land users.
• Assists in the coordination of community natural resources, education, and cultural awareness projects and events.
• Engages with peers on technical committees and teams that focus on habitat manipulation and enhancement, endangered species recovery, resource management, and impact mitigation; coordinates and networks with cooperative agencies.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by conducting research, attending seminars, educational workshops, classes, and conferences; reviewing professional publications; establishing networks; participating in professional societies; and conferring with representatives of contracting agencies and related organizations.
• Contributes to a team effort and accomplishes related results as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of traditional form of government and tribal customs and traditions.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, tribal laws, regulations, and requirements.
• Knowledge of current natural resource issues pertinent to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.
• Knowledge of a variety of federal and state environmental and natural resources programs and agencies.
• Knowledge of research methodologies and data analysis.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry, including best practices for sanitation and disease prevention.
• Knowledge of how beavers modify aquatic systems.
• Knowledge of budget preparation.
• Knowledge of business English, proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
• Skill in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs as well as GPS, GIS, Adobe, and Google Earth.
• Skill in supervising, training, and evaluating assigned staff.
• Skill in treating internal and external customers with tact, courtesy, and respect.
• Ability to use dart gun, traps, radio telemetry equipment, tagging equipment, hypodermic needles, syringes, capture bags. spotting scopes, range finders, and microscopes.
• Ability to identify a variety of fish and wildlife species.
• Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with individuals of varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to communicate efficiently and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, fisheries, wildlife, chemistry, natural sciences, or a closely related field.
• Three years of related experience in natural resources or a related field of agriculture, range management, land management, animal husbandry, or wildlife management.
• Two years of work experience in a supervisory capacity.
• A combination of relevant education and related work experience may be considered.
• Obtain and maintain a beaver relocation permit.
• Obtain and maintain a concealed pistol license.
• Obtain and maintain a Washington State Boater Education Card and Washington State Scientific Collection Permit.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Must be able to successfully pass a background screening / investigation according to the established requirements below.

Tribal preference in accordance with Cowlitz Indian Tribe Code and CIT Employee Policies and Procedures Handbook shall apply to all positions. All positions are required to adhere to CIT’s established safety policies regarding vaccine requirements and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Background Investigation Requirements:

• Pre-employment drug screen.
• Reference checks, education and employment verification.
• Federal, state, and/or tribal criminal history and sanction checks.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands or arms; and talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 50lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and clarity of vision at long distance.

Work Environment:

Work is generally performed outdoors or in a beaver holding facility, with frequent exposure to excessive noise, live animals, and animal waste/byproducts, including potential zoonotic diseases and parasites. Work is also conducted in an office setting. Exposure to natural weather conditions and dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens may occur while performing outdoor duties. Standing and walking may be on wet, slippery, or uneven surfaces or unstable ground. Work is frequently performed near hazardous/moving equipment or machinery and the use protective clothing, equipment, devices, materials is necessary. Evening and/or weekend work is occasionally required.