The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is the regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of North Carolina’s fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws. The NCWRC employs 670 full-time staff across the state, including wildlife and fisheries biologists and technicians, wildlife law enforcement officers, wildlife educators, communication specialists, customer service, information technology, and administrative professionals.

The Land & Water Access Division plans, constructs, and manages public facilities and
infrastructure necessary for agency mission fulfillment and provides statewide operations and maintenance support to the agency’s infrastructure including Fish Hatcheries, Management Depots, Education Centers, regional office locations and the administrative headquarters facility. Additionally, these sections support and manage the boating and game lands, programs including planning, preventative maintenance and the evaluation of operational efficiencies that allow optimum use at these sites. This section also manages the agency’s Wildlife Inmate Services (WISE) program. The section works in the management and compliance upkeep of waterway markings, facility management, and capital improvement programs, as well as provides maintenance to the agency’s shooting range facilities.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is accepting applications for a Wildlife Forestry Specialist for our Land & Water Access Division – Marion Depot. The primary purpose of the Wildlife Forestry Specialist is prescribing and implementing forest
wildlife habitat management, research, and survey activities on 42 State Game Lands consisting of approximately 435,500 acres.

Work will primarily occur on Pond Mountain, Three Top, Elk Knob, Mitchell River, Buffalo Cove, Johns River, Pisgah, and South Mountains game lands. Position provides technical assistance as requested to private landowners, as well as other government agencies
within an NCWRC region. The individual in this position will monitor and direct activities to improve and maintain forest health through active timber management practices, including species restoration, conservation, reforestation and prescribed burning. General project
objectives are directed at improving habitat for all wildlife species, as well as to provide hunting opportunities for sportsmen. The Wildlife Forestry Manager is responsible for generating annual as well as long term forest management plans for region game lands for forest health and wildlife habitat improvement. Plans involve specific prescriptions for afforestation, reforestation, harvesting and within rotation timber treatments. Wildlife Forestry Manager is responsible for inventory, valuation and marking of timber to be harvested. The expectation is to train and supervise technicians and temporary employees in timber marking, tree planting or other forest management projects. The Wildlife Forestry Manager is responsible for game lands mapping of timber stands and forest management treatments requiring extensive use of GIS software. The forest management database must be updated on at least an annual basis using inventory software. The Wildlife Forestry Manager is responsible for spatial calculations, GIS/GPS data collection, and data recording for Federal Aid reporting.

Some of the additional duties of this position will be the collection of biological data as needed to assist with harvest and disease monitoring or other research projects as needed. Specifically, the Forestry Manager must collect weights, reproductive tracts, premolar
teeth and other tissue samples from hunter harvested or roadkill black bears and deer. Forestry Manager will also prepare for prescribe forestry burns by determining locations of firebreaks to meet fire control, smoke management and habitat improvement objectives.

A normal Monday-Friday schedule is associated with this position, though frequent daily travel, night work, and occasional overnight travel and weekend work may be required to meet with landowners, attend meetings, coordinate activities, etc. The employee must be a
self-starter and willing to maintain a flexible schedule. Position is based out of the WRC Marion Depot located in Marion, NC (McDowell County).

Required Competencies, Work History, and Credentials must appear in the application to receive consideration during the selection process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application. Applications stating "See Attached Resume" or including an embedded text resume will be considered incomplete and will not be processed.

Qualified applicants should possess:

• Knowledge of management practices as applied to wildlife and forestry.
• Knowledge of ecological principles, silvicultural/forestry techniques.
• Knowledge of weather and fire behavior.
• Skill to operate GPS units and associated GIS software.
• Skill to identify wildlife and plants.
• Skill to preform technical writing and proficient verbal and written communication.
• Ability to conduct wildlife and forest inventories and surveys, and to analyze scientific data.
• Ability to conduct public speaking/presentations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with crew members, other staff, cooperating agencies and organizations, and the public.
• Ability to utilize office technology.
• Ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and implement complex forest management plans.

• Experience working with forestry techniques of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, including timber harvesting systems and their applications.
• Knowledge of the ecological principles and management strategies of Southern Appalachian forests.
• Knowledge of NC forest practice guidelines and water quality regulations.
• Experience planning, coordinating and implementing complex prescribed burns.
• Experience in timber sale and contract administration.
• Experience operating heavy equipment.
• Possession of a NC Registered Forester Certification
• Possession of a TWS Certified Wildlife Biologist Certification
• Possession of a Prescribed Burner Certification.

• Possession of a Prescribed Burner Certification is required within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of a North Carolina Pesticide Applicators license (endorsed for Forest Pest Control subclass) is required within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required within 90 days of hire. Candidate must present proof of a valid NC Driver’s License and proof of an acceptable driving record.

• Ability to work primarily outdoors in rugged terrain, for prolonged periods of time, and in a variety of weather conditions.
• Ability to perform manual labor, lifting medium to heavy items weighing up to 50 pounds daily.
• Ability to wear safety equipment and follow established safety regulations and procedures.

Bachelor’s degree in forestry from an appropriately accredited institution including or supplemented by sixteen hours of coursework in
wildlife management;
OR
Bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from an appropriately accredited institution including or supplemented by sixteen hours of
coursework in forestry;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience.