PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST, WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Wildlife Management
Career Family: PRINCIPAL BIOLOGIST
Principal Biologist, Wildlife Management sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's state civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
The requirements come down to a bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $79,844 to $117,228, and state payroll currently lists about 15 people in the title, most of them at Environmental Protection.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
See every real route in, and where to apply. One agency employs it. We don't track live vacancies.
See where to apply for this title →Who employs this title
Principal Biologist, Wildlife Management appears on the State payroll at one department, Department of Environmental Protection.
State departments
| Employer | Employees |
|---|---|
| Department of Environmental Protection | 15 |
State payroll and independent authority payroll are separate systems and are never merged. See data sources.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 15 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $109,652. The agencies employing the most are:
- Environmental Protection (15)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of a Supervising Biologist, Wildlife Management, or other supervisory official in the Division of Fish and Wildlife in the Department of Environmental Protection, plans, organizes, coordinates, performs, and supervises work relating to biological research and data analysis, environmental impact reviews, development of wildlife management programs and/or education of the public on specific wildlife issues; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Supervises, develops, and implements Federal and State funded wildlife research and/or management programs.
- Supervises, prepares, and presents informational programs dealing with wildlife biology and management to clubs, schools, and other organizations as assigned.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
- Supervises the collection of biological, sociological, and other related data dealing with the Division's wildlife management programs.
- Supervises the collection of information on the condition, age, structure, productivity, morality, and population density of various wildlife species.
- Supervises the investigation of wildlife mortalities on a statewide basis in cooperation with private, municipal, State, and Federal groups and agencies.
- Supervises the operation of various biological check stations for species such as deer, beaver, otter, and turkey.
- Provides technical assistance to zoological parks, organizations, public and private agencies, and individuals relative to wildlife research, management, protection, and control.
- Reviews existing and proposed local, State, and Federal legislation and makes recommendations to ensure sound utilization, protection, and management of the State's wildlife resources and their habitat.
- Supervises the issuance of wildlife possession permits and other special permits such as deer, turkey, bear, otter, coyote, and Canadian goose.
- Supervises the development of management strategies for a variety of wildlife species.
- Develops and supervises the implementation of training programs for personnel assigned to the respective unit.
- Acts as a representative of the Division of Fish and Wildlife to various Federal, State, and municipal units with respect to the activities within the assigned unit.
- Reviews submissions of the assigned unit for technical errors and compliance with the Bureau's objectives, policies, and procedures.
- Prepares the annual budget for the assigned administrative unit.
- Supervises the control of nuisance and depredating wildlife.
- Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative scientific and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Prepares detailed correspondence.
- Supervises the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
- Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in one of the Biological Sciences, or a Bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management with a major concentration in Fisheries Science and/or Wildlife Science.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in wildlife biology and/or the development of wildlife management programs.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of the qualifications for and procedures of applicable State and Federal funding programs including the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of wildlife biology and management.
- Knowledge of the methods used to evaluate biological data.
- Knowledge of the techniques used to assess the impacts of public and private development projects on wildlife resources.
- Knowledge of budgetary procedures for operational programs involving management and records.
- Knowledge of supervisory techniques and methods.
- Knowledge of State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations dealing with wildlife resources management.
- Ability to interpret and apply State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations dealing with wildlife resources management.
- Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
- Ability to plan and execute administrative and operational programs that meet the needs of the Division.
- Ability to supervise, develop, and present both written and oral informational programs.
- Ability to assess the potential impacts of public and private developments on the State's wildlife resources.
- Ability to provide technical assistance related to wildlife to the general public.
- Ability to instruct other Division personnel in techniques of wildlife management.
- Ability to use various types and forms of maps.
- Ability to work within budgetary constraints and prepare budgets for assigned research projects.
- Ability to prepare and/or supervise the preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative scientific and other related reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to prepare detailed correspondence.
- Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
- Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
A Master's degree in Wildlife Management or a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.