Helene Restoration Coordinator (HC-65043589)

About the role

• Agency
• Wildlife Resource Commission
• Division
• Inland Fisheries
• Job Classification Title
• Conservation Biologist II (NS)
• Position Number
• 65043589
• Grade
• NC18

Description of Work

The Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) is charged by General Statute 113-132 with the management, regulation, protection, and conservation of wildlife resources and inland fisheries in North Carolina. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, western North Carolina's forests, watersheds, and wildlife habitats sustained significant ecological damage.

In response, WRC has established a Good Neighbor Agreement (GNA) with US Forest Service (USFS), along with multiple other conservation organizations, through 2035 which will support the Helene Restoration Division and additional agency positions including this one to lead a comprehensive, multi-year effort focused on ecological stabilization, species recovery, and long-term resilience.

The Division of Habitat Conservation provides technical guidance to public and private agencies, commissions, universities, businesses and individuals requesting assistance for protecting, enhancing, evaluating and managing wildlife resources and their habitats. The Division often works in a clearinghouse role by coordinating agency comments on resources related to every portion of WRC's strategic plan.

This coordination allows the Commission to be aware of opportunities to conserve, enhance and restore habitats and wildlife resources. Additionally, the Division responds to stakeholder inquiries with technical and scientific information and is a resource for fact gathering to support planning and data collection needs.

This nonsupervisory position is responsible for coordination of reviews on proposed infrastructure and restoration projects on the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests. This position will assist in the temporary uptick of the projects due to the new, reimbursable 10-year GNA and needed coordination related to environmental compliance.

This coordinator will also ensure Hurricane Helene-related projects receive priority and triaged reviews that are above and beyond existing staff. The Coordinator will maintain and develop consistent and reliable working relationships with partners, stakeholders, federal and state agency staff, WRC district and regional staff.

Another role of this position is to maintain consistency of recommendations across all Helene restoration project reviews through collaboration within the agency.

Initially, this position will ensure the inclusion of wildlife conservation considerations in the planning process which will improve opportunities to include benefits for wildlife. The limited area of responsibility will allow the coordinator to gain a working knowledge of the aquatic and terrestrial resources present on the Forest. When reviewing projects, the coordinator is expected to evaluate project impacts to wildlife resources including but not limited to the following areas:

• Existing habitat quantity and quality
• Habitat alteration and destruction
• Stream conditions
• Habitat barriers
• Stream hydrology and morphology
• Degradation and conversion of wetlands and aquatic habitat
• Wetland functions
• Forest values
• Stormwater management
• Riparian fringes
• Recreational access

This position will be in a home-based office and will be expected to work in both inside and outside conditions for extended periods of time. Normal work schedule will be 8-5, M-F, longer workdays and occasional overnight travel (including multiple-day trips to the same area) are sometimes necessary.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• This is TIME LIMITED position that ends September 2035.
• The employee will be HOME BASED in Western North Carolina in one of the following management preferred counties: Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson, or McDowell.

Management Preferences

• Knowledge of principles and practices of fisheries or wildlife science, management, or conservation biology.
• Ability to identify fish and wildlife species of the State, their habits and habitats.
• Ability to present and review technical information both in writing and orally.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective professional working relationships with experts such as biologists, partners, stakeholders, and general public.
• Experience conducting fieldwork and site visits as well as being able to handle field sampling equipment.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience."
• If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both.
• See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (based on Classification Specs) Classification Specs | NC Office of Human Resources Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail.

Bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management, fisheries science, zoology, or a biological science, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in wildlife or fisheries management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SUPPLEMENTAL and CONTACT INFORMATION

All applicants applying for employment opportunities must create and submit a comprehensive candidate profile using State of North Carolina Careers for the State of North Carolina. All Required Education and Experience must be included in the candidate profile to receive consideration during the selection and salary administration processes.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is committed to maintaining a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion. NCWRC strives to ensure that all employment practices are implemented in a manner that is equitable to all applicants and employees.

Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax reference the contact information below. All applicants should indicate the position number and job title in the section "Jobs Applied For".

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 Form, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty along with your application.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference (to include North Carolina Army National Guard & North Carolina Air National Guard) must attach a copy of the NGB 23A (RPAS) or a copy of the DD256 or NGB 22 along with your application.
• *Degrees must be received from institutions appropriately accredited by the U.S. Department of Education *
• If you have started a college degree program but have not completed it - please document the number of Semester CREDIT HOURS you have completed in the Education section of your application
• *State Employee Benefits*

• We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits.
• Learn more about employee resources, safety, health and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by visiting the NC OSHR website.
• NC OSHR: Benefits

• *Employment Eligibility*
• *For More Information*
• For more information about the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, visit the WRC website. Home Page | NC Wildlife
• CONTACT INFORMATION: NC Wildlife Resources Commission
• Human Resources Office