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Wildlife Research Biologist - Job Opportunity at State of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Bozeman, USA
Full-time
Senior
Posted: January 18, 2025
On-site
USD 76,273.60 per year

Benefits

Comprehensive health insurance with emphasis on field work coverage
Dental insurance with full preventive care
Life insurance for field personnel security
Competitive retirement plan with state matching
Paid holidays aligned with state schedule
VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association) eligibility
Vacation and sick leave package designed for work-life balance

Key Responsibilities

Lead high-impact wildlife research teams focusing on elk population dynamics and distribution in northwestern Montana
Design and implement multi-regional research projects with direct management applications
Serve as technical authority on wildlife science and conservation strategies
Supervise research team of 3 permanent technicians plus seasonal staff
Coordinate cross-institutional partnerships with universities and federal agencies
Develop predictive tools for elk management based on research findings
Analyze and update elk security habitat definitions using 30+ herd datasets

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in Fish and Wildlife Management, Wildlife Biology, Disease Ecology, Range Management, Zoology or Biology

Experience

5 years of progressively responsible experience as wildlife biologist or senior wildlife technician

Required Skills

Advanced statistical analysis Research design and methodology Scientific writing and publication Project management Team leadership Data management Oral presentation Interpersonal communication Field research execution
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Increasing focus on climate change impacts on wildlife populations and habitat management Growing emphasis on data-driven decision making in conservation biology Rising importance of human-wildlife conflict management in expanding urban interfaces Shift toward integrated ecosystem management approaches

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary of $76,273 is slightly below market median for senior wildlife biologist positions in the Western US, where similar roles typically range from $75,000 to $95,000 annually. However, the state benefits package provides significant additional value.

Role Significance

Direct supervision of 3-5 permanent staff plus seasonal teams, typical for state-level research operations
Senior-level position with significant research leadership and program development responsibilities

Key Projects

Large-scale elk population dynamics research Habitat security assessment and definition updates Cross-jurisdictional wildlife management initiatives Brucellosis research and monitoring programs

Success Factors

Ability to balance research rigor with practical management applications Strong stakeholder management across academic and government partnerships Excellence in both field research execution and data analysis Capacity to translate complex findings into actionable management recommendations

Market Demand

High demand with stable growth projected due to increasing environmental challenges and conservation needs

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Research design and statistical analysis for complex ecological systems Team leadership and project management in multi-stakeholder environments Scientific writing and presentation for diverse audiences Field research execution in challenging conditions

Beneficial Skills

GIS and spatial analysis capabilities Grant writing and funding acquisition Public relations and stakeholder engagement Advanced modeling and predictive analysis

Unique Aspects

Flexible base location options across Montana
Significant field work component with 25% travel
Direct involvement in defining future research directions
Strong emphasis on practical management applications

Career Growth

Typical progression to higher administrative roles within 4-7 years given successful project delivery

Potential Next Roles

Research Program Director Wildlife Division Administrator Conservation Program Manager Senior Science Advisor

Company Overview

State of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Montana FWP is a leading state wildlife management agency with significant research capabilities and conservation influence

Premier wildlife management organization in the Northern Rockies region
Central role in multi-state wildlife management initiatives and research programs
Collaborative environment balancing scientific rigor with practical conservation needs
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