Wildlife Habitat Management Program Chief

Are you looking for a career that offers meaningful public service, professional growth, and the chance to shape statewide conservation outcomes? The Pennsylvania Game Commission is eager to welcome a Wildlife Habitat Management Program Chief to the Habitat Planning and Development Division. Within this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the management of wildlife habitat development programs on public and private lands, wildland fire, and state/federal funding coordination. Apply today for an opportunity to lead impactful conservation efforts that protect and enhance wildlife habitats for future generations.

As a Wildlife Habitat Management Program Chief, you will be providing strategic leadership and expert direction for statewide wildlife habitat conservation and management initiatives. Work involves maintaining annual funding, coordinating activities within headquarters and six regional offices, as well as serving as a representative for habitat planning and development issues. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with external stakeholders on threatened and endangered species conservation in order to minimize and mitigate potential impacts as well as implement habitat improvement efforts. Additional responsibilities include:

• Developing comprehensive management plans for region implementation on State Game Lands and other public lands
• Planning and developing habitat and conservation programs for private land
• Serving as liaison and coordinator for Farm Bill and other federal conservation programs
• Acting as the statewide program coordinator for the Game Commission's prescribed fire resources and qualifications, burn plan development, fire and wildfire reporting, as well as wildfire intelligence and weather
• Developing policies and implementing herbicide and pesticide application
• Updating the agency wildlife habitat manual, standard operating procedures, and desk manual

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:45 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 45-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. Telework is not permitted during the initial six-month probationary period; eligibility may be granted upon its successful completion. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of professional natural resource management experience that includes two years of experience in land acquisition or land management work, and four years of paraprofessional or technical experience in natural resource management; or
• Four years of professional natural resource management experience that includes two years of experience in land acquisition or land management work, and a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, biology, forestry, ecology, geosciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of professional natural resource management experience in land acquisition or land management work.

Other Requirements:

• This particular position also requires possession of a valid Class C Driver's License.
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.