Invasive Species Coordinator

Position Description

CALL (808) 587-0977 AND USE THE JOB'S QUICK ACCESS CODE (QAC) #495
TO CHECK IF APPLICATIONS ARE STILL BEING ACCEPTED FOR THIS JOB.

I.              IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

II.             INTRODUCTION

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) plans, organizes, and directs a multiple-use management program for 800,000 acres of State-owned forest reserves, natural area reserves, plant and wildlife sanctuaries, and public hunting areas. As well, the Division is responsible for managing the State’s endangered plants and wildlife. The Division is composed of a headquarters administrative unit, four management branches on separate islands, a cooperative research unit with the U.S. Forest Service, and a central tree nursery.

Hawaii is the endangered species capital of the United States, and nearly three-quarters of the documented extinctions in the United States are native Hawaiian species. The State of Hawaii currently has 368 officially listed threatened and endangered plants and animals, with an additional 570 species under consideration for listing in the future. The primary cause of extinction and endangerment for most of these species is the introduction and rapid population growth of alien species in Hawaii. If this extinction crisis is to be halted, the rampant introduction and spread of alien species in Hawaii must be stopped. Alien species are also recognized as a primary threat to Hawaii’s economy, with the agricultural and tourist sectors being most vulnerable to the effects of alien species. Protection of the economy therefore also depends on control of alien species problems.

This position is on the Administrative staff with responsibilities to organize and implement programs for DOFAW to better protect Hawaii’s native species and terrestrial ecosystems from alien species of plants and animals. This position coordinates DOFAW’s many alien species prevention and control projects, coordinates DLNR’s Brown Tree snake prevention program, assists with other general administrative duties related to these programs, and assists with administrative duties related to development of effective control strategies for alien species, including reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals, and plants. The position is involved in developing policy positions and response programs for alien vertebrate and plant pest species, and working with other State, Federal, and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to develop and coordinate implementation of response programs. The position also provides technical expertise on alien species in general, field direction for selected pest-control operations, administrative support for the program, and other assigned wildlife projects.

III.            MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

        A.            Program Administration                                                                                                           50%

1.     Plans and coordinates the alien species program and evaluates program accomplishments. [1,3]

2.     Coordinates alien species projects with other State and Federal agencies and non-governmental organizations to facilitate work progress and prevent duplication of efforts. [1,2]

3.        Represents Division and participates in meetings with other State, Federal, and private partners. [2]

4.     Develops policy and position statements regarding alien species for Division and Departmental review and implementation. [1]

5.     Prepares correspondence and testimony concerning alien species and may represent the Division and Department before the State Legislature and/or the Governor. [2,3]

6.     Reviews and comments on Environmental Assessments, Conservation District Use Applications, and project proposals where appropriate. [2]

7.     Provides technical assistance and advice to agency personnel on alien species matters, including recommendations regarding Hawaii Department of Agriculture import permits. [1,2,3]

8.        Prepares news releases, articles, and information for publication in magazines and newsletters. Meets with conservation groups and public to explain the alien species program and educate the public on conservation and alien species prevention/control needs. Conducts interviews with print, radio, and television media. [1,2]

        B.            Research and Field Studies                                                                                                      10%

1.     Conducts the overall planning and implementation of selected research studies involving alien species control and management. [1,3]

2.     Develops research design and methodology; collects, compiles, and analyzes data, and writes and submits reports on results. [1,3]

3.     Plans, supervises, and participates in field surveys of alien species and their habitats. [1,3]

4.     Recommends management actions based on research and field study results. [1,3]

5.     Prepares progress reports and job completion reports with analysis and evaluations for research jobs. Implements the use of these reports for the evaluation and planning of alien species management and control programs. [1,21

        C.            Management                                                                                                                              40%

1.     Works with other State, Federal, and private agencies, organizations, and individuals to develop and implement control/eradication programs for alien species. [1,2]

2.     Develops and implements management programs for targeted alien species. [1,2,3]

3.     Assists with development of policy positions for alien vertebrate and plant pests. [1,2]

4.     Provides public information relating to alien species problems via letters, interviews, and displays. [1,2]

Essential Function Identifiers:

[1] The performance of this function is the reason for this position.

[2] The number of other employees available to perform this function is limited.

[3] The function is highly specialized, and employee is hired for special expertise or ability to perform this function.

EVIDENCE USED IN DETERMINING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The evidence considered in determining the essential functions of the position include the amount of time spent performing the function, the consequences of not requiring a person in this job to perform a function, the work experience of person who currently performs the job, and the nature of the work operations based on organization structure.

IV.            CONTROLS OVER THE POSITION

A.            Position Number: 15015, Wildlife Program Manager, Division of Forestry and Wildlife

B.             Nature of Supervisory Control Exercised Over the Work

1.   Instructions Provided

      Supervisor provides general program guidance. Supervision is received through staff meetings and personal conferences as required.

2.   Assistance Provided

      Employee takes care of all aspects of work independently, but is expected to inform the supervisor when unforeseen events or circumstances require significant changes or policy decisions.

3.   Review of Work

      Supervisor reviews finished work products and coordination with other Division programs.

C.                   Nature of Available Guidelines Controlling the Work

1.     Hawaii Revised Statutes - HRS 103D, 104, 105, 106, 183D, 195D

2.     Hawaii Administrative Rules and Policies - Title 3, Chapters 120-1 28

3.         Applicable Federal Laws, Rules, and Regulations - (1) Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments. (2) USFWS Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act and the associated Federal Aid Manual. (3) Applicable federal natural resource management law and regulation, and (4) Procedural guides on purchasing and procurement.

V.             QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORK

A.            Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management, or related field of zoology with a minimum of 24 semester credit hours in the following areas:

At least 18 semester hours of course work applicable to wildlife biology in such subjects as herpetology, mamma logy, ornithology, animal ecology, wildlife management, animal husbandry, zoology, vertebrate zoology-comparative anatomy, biometry, evolution; or research courses in the field of wildlife biology; and at least 6 semester hours in botany or the related plant sciences.

Substitutions Allowed for Educational Requirement:

1.     Work experience as described below in the Specialized Experience may be substituted for the Educational Requirement on a year-for-year basis.

2.     Progressively responsible administrative, professional, or analytical work experience which provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in the Educational Requirement described above may be substituted for the Educational Requirement on a year-for-year basis.  To be acceptable, the experience must have been of such scope and quality as to assure the applicant's overall ability to perform wildlife biology work.

3.     A combination of six months of work experience as described in 1 and 2 above and a bachelor's degree in biology may be substituted for the Educational Requirement.  To be acceptable, this combination must have provided knowledge, skills and abilities comparable to those acquired in the Educational Requirement as described above and must have been of such scope and quality as to assure the applicant's overall ability to perform wildlife biology work.

B.             Experience

Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in zoology, wildlife conservation, development, and management, and/or research. Of the three years, at least one year must be comparable to the Wildlife Biologist IV level, and two years must be comparable to the Wildlife Biologist III level in the State service, or

A master of science degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, or related field of zoology and two years of specialized experience in wildlife research, development, or management, or

A Ph.D. degree in biology, zoology, or wildlife biology from an accredited college or university may be substituted for three years of specialized experience.

NOTE:  Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant’s overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate that he or she has the ability to perform the duties of the position for which the applicant is being considered.

C.             Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of pest-control techniques; the science and techniques of wildlife research and survey methods; ability to collect, analyze, and evaluate data on wildlife species; and to plan and prepare clear and concise reports and deal effectively with coworkers and the public. Ability to communicate clearly in both written and verbal formats.

D.            Physical Requirements

Must be physically able to perform efficiently and effectively the essential duties of this position, including field work. Must be willing to work in extreme conditions in field situations (e.g., rugged terrain, remote, wet).

LINKS TO: [Job Announcement | State of Hawaii | Division of Forestry and Wildlife