Fish and Wildlife Technician 1
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation · Stamford, NY
- On site
- Part-time
- $40,000 / year
- Stamford, NY
Job highlights
- Maintain wildlife areas and public access points.
- Perform habitat improvement and invasive species control.
- Conduct compliance checks and assist with wildlife surveys.
- Work independently in diverse weather and terrain.
- Requires a valid driver's license and physical capability.
About the role
About the Role
The Region 4 Wildlife Unit oversees 18 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) in the 9-county region. WMAs are maintained to provide wildlife habitat and public use, such as: hunting, trapping, fishing and wildlife observation. This position is focused on providing and maintaining public access to these lands.
Duties
- Maintaining informational kiosks, parking lots and observation structures.
- Conducting trail work.
- Monitoring gates that control vehicle access.
- Putting up signage, painting and signing property boundaries in deep woods and large forest tracts.
- Making compliance checks of groups holding permits for special activities.
- Working on WMA habitat improvement projects, including invasive species control (manual and chemical).
- Assisting with wildlife species surveys and management, including handling wildlife and carcasses.
- Lifting up to 50lbs.
- Working with hand tools.
- Driving a work vehicle, potentially over an hour to reach WMAs.
- Working independently in all kinds of weather and in locations with difficult terrain and limited or no cell phone service.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: Thirty (30) semester credit hours, including 12 semester credit hours in fisheries, marine resources or wildlife management; mariculture; marine biology; aquaculture; aquatic, marine or terrestrial ecology; zoology; marine technology; botany; limnology; hydrology; or oceanography.
Preferred Qualifications: GIS experience.
Additional Information
- This is a seasonal, hourly appointment with an anticipated end date of 9/30/2026.
- Actual work schedule, duties and travel requirements may vary.
- Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet transportation needs.
- Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain, work in remote areas, and in adverse weather conditions.
- Travel, overtime, overnight travel, weekends, and holidays may be required.
- Must be able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.
- Telecommuting may be available and will be discussed at the interview.
- The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
- DEC does not use E-Verify and cannot provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses.
Key skills/competency
- Wildlife Management
- Habitat Improvement
- Invasive Species Control
- Public Access Maintenance
- Trail Work
- GIS
- Field Work
- Data Collection
- Wildlife Surveys
- Communication
Skills & topics
- Wildlife Technician
- Environmental Conservation
- Habitat Management
- Invasive Species
- Field Work
- GIS
- New York
- Seasonal
- DEC
- Wildlife Management
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight relevant coursework in wildlife management, ecology, or related fields, and any GIS experience.
- Emphasize field experience: Showcase your ability to work outdoors, in adverse conditions, and with hand tools.
- Demonstrate preparedness: Mention your comfort with remote work, difficult terrain, and physical demands like lifting 50lbs.
- Apply promptly: As this is a seasonal role, ensure your application is submitted efficiently to be considered.
Technical preparation
Review wildlife management principles and practices.,Familiarize yourself with invasive species identification and control.,Practice using hand tools for trail maintenance.,Study GIS basics for mapping and data visualization.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you worked independently outdoors.,How do you handle working in adverse weather conditions?,Tell us about your experience with difficult terrain.,How do you ensure accuracy in compliance checks?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the primary duties of a Fish and Wildlife Technician at NYS DEC?
- As a Fish and Wildlife Technician at the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, your primary duties will involve maintaining Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), ensuring public access for recreational activities, performing habitat improvement projects like invasive species control, and assisting with wildlife surveys and management. You'll also conduct compliance checks and property boundary maintenance.
- What qualifications are needed to become a Fish and Wildlife Technician?
- To qualify, you need at least 30 semester credit hours, including 12 in relevant fields such as fisheries, wildlife management, ecology, zoology, or related sciences. Preferred qualifications include GIS experience.
- Is this a full-time or seasonal position at NYS DEC?
- This is a seasonal, hourly appointment. The anticipated end date is September 30, 2026, but the actual termination date depends on program needs and funding.
- What are the physical requirements for the Fish and Wildlife Technician role?
- You must be able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds. The role also requires the ability to negotiate difficult terrain and work outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Does the NYS DEC offer sponsorship for this Fish and Wildlife Technician position?
- No, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation does not use E-Verify and cannot provide sponsorship for employment visa statuses.
- What is the typical work environment for a Fish and Wildlife Technician?
- You will be working outdoors in remote areas, often in deep woods or large forest tracts. This involves working independently in various weather conditions, with potentially limited cell phone service and difficult terrain.
- Is driving a requirement for the Fish and Wildlife Technician job?
- Yes, a valid driver's license is required, or you must demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position, as you may be driving a work vehicle to reach different Wildlife Management Areas.
- What kind of travel is involved for this role?
- Travel may be required, potentially including driving over an hour to reach WMAs. Overnight travel, weekends, and holidays may also be required depending on program needs.
- How important is GIS experience for the Fish and Wildlife Technician position?
- GIS experience is a preferred qualification for this role. While not strictly required, it can enhance your application and may be beneficial for certain duties related to habitat management and data collection.
- What does 'telecommuting may be available' mean for this position?
- Telecommuting availability will be discussed during the interview. Given the field-intensive nature of the role, it's likely that any telecommuting would be limited or apply to specific administrative tasks rather than core fieldwork.