Under limited supervision, these positions work at the advanced level developing and implementing wildlife management plans for assigned areas. They are responsible for training lower level Wildlife Resources Specialists and may supervise employees. These positions oversee intensive land management operations including one or more of the following: dove fields, upland game bird initiatives, private land initiatives, native plant restoration, waterfowl management and wetland creation, big game restoration efforts (i.e., elk), and older age deer management areas. They are also responsible for one or more of the following: coordinating special hunts on public lands, participating in technical committees, coordinating statewide special projects, leading the development and implementation of timber sales, serving as a certified burn boss when conducting prescribed fire. These positions may be required to possess or complete chemical immobilization training, trapping and shipping wildlife. Perform related work as required.

• Oversee seasonal labor and interns.
• Involved in the coordination, development and design of management plans, utilize the shape files and timber cruise information to juxtapose land management.
• Train lower level Wildlife Resources Specialists positions, which could include specialized training i.e., welding, dozer operation, no-till grain drill calibration, etc.
• Serve as a team leader on special projects i.e., Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) targeted collections and tissue sampling.
• Oversee data collection ensuring scientific methods are followed and data is professionally collected and assembled.
• Operate and maintain scientific research equipment i.e., electro-fishing gear, radio telemetry equipment etc.
• Coordinate and conduct research and survey tasks on a statewide basis, such as restoring or creating wildlife habitat and monitoring wildlife and fish populations.
• Serve as a team leader on specific professional activities concerned with population or habitat management, both at primary assigned area and off-site locations.

• May supervise full-time staff.

• Knowledge of general dendrology and silviculture practices.
• Knowledge of federal guidelines related to endangered species and timber management activities.
• Knowledge of disease issues and sample collections.
• Knowledge of federal permit guidelines to ensure state’s compliance.
• Knowledge of Taxa specific knowledge, including federally listed species.
• Knowledge of electrofishing and radio telemetry principles.
• Knowledge of forest inventory and cruising electronic data collection.
• Ability to accurately collect and maintain scientific research data.
• Ability to perform as a team lead on special projects.
• Ability to use GPS equipment and guide others.
• Ability to oversee timber sales from conducting inventories, marking, and setting up timber sales, professionally interacting with Foresters and ensuring job completion
• Ability to develop habitat management plans on private lands in conjunction with others.
• Ability to oversee data collection within pre-established research projects.
• Ability to handle chemicals, hazardous materials, and maintenance of hazardous material safety data sheets.
• Ability to community, both orally and in writing.