Large Carnivore Biologist

Posting number: 2026-00340

Department: Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Division: Wildlife

Job classification: FWWB10 - SENIOR WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST

Posting type: Open

Categories: Zoo, Wildlife

Summary

(This is for recruitment purposes. Please remove if not applicable)

Position will close on 09/18/2026 at 11:59 pm

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is seeking to fill a Senior Wildlife Biologist position within the WGFD’s Large Carnivore Section (LCS) as a Large Carnivore Biologist focused on grizzly bear monitoring and management. This position would lead efforts to continue ongoing grizzly bear monitoring and management activities as part of an interagency team as well as working with other LCS biologists on data acquisition/analysis and conflict management. This position conducts analysis of large carnivore population data on a statewide level for use in population trend, harvest management, season setting, identifying seasonally important habitats, and identifying or mitigating environmental impacts. This position also requires advanced skills in study design and data analysis to increase knowledge on large carnivore ecology and management . This position requires expertise in multiple data analysis tools and publication experience as well working knowledge of grizzly bear conservation strategies employed throughout North America.

This position requires a heavy workload in the field and being on-call throughout portions of the year to immediately respond to conflicts between large carnivores (grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions and wolves) and people, as well as determining and documenting livestock cause of death.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility
• Retirement - Pension and 457(b) plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities

and MUCH MORE! Click here for detailed information, oryou can watch this short video to learn about our benefits package!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary? Explore our Total Compensation Calculator:compensationcalculator.wyo.gov

Human Resource Contact: Dezzaree Schott / dezzaree.schott@wyo.gov

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed in the job level.

• Develops study designs and implements monitoring and research projects for quantification of grizzly bear and
  other large carnivore population dynamics throughout Wyoming, including data acquisition and analysis in order to
  evaluate harvest objectives.
• Capture and handling of grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, and gray wolves. Inventory and monitor large carnivore populations; working with federally threatened/endangered species.
• Coordinates with Large Carnivore Section and regional personnel to develop and evaluate management scenarios
  for grizzly bears throughout Wyoming and represents the Department at public meetings and informational
  presentations regarding grizzly bear management.
• Works closely as part of a Sectional team within the Wildlife Division of the Department.
• Serves as the liaison with researchers and land management agencies regarding work being conducted on
  grizzly bears in Wyoming and fosters active communication between all interested parties; serves as a member
  of the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team.
• Investigates conflicts between large carnivores and humans or livestock, including verifying the species
  responsible for depredation to livestock, property damage, or other forms of large carnivore conflicts,
  independently with other WGFD or other agency personnel (i.e., USDA - Wildlife Services).
• Manages conflicts between large carnivores and humans and/or livestock using deterrents, firearms, traps, snares,
  lethal removals, and controlled pharmaceuticals.
• Collect biological data from both the ground and air, summarize and analyze appropriate population and
  habitat data for large carnivores.
• Using data, works with other LCS senior wildlife biologists and regional personnel to formulate
  harvest/season recommendations and other management plans/recommendations on large carnivores, as
  required.
• Reviews and evaluates large carnivore research needs and reports and participates in research.
• Provides appropriate training to WGFD, other agency personnel, and the public, as assigned, related to large
  carnivore management, conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with other WGFD employees, State and federal agency
  personnel, local landowners, sportspersons, and non-governmental organizations.
• Attends WGFD or other approved training sessions to keep current with techniques and issues of importance to
  large carnivores' management and conflict resolution.
• Participates in other training dealing with injured wildlife, immobilization of wildlife, use of equipment (motorized
  and non-motorized), dealing with the public, and other training as assigned.
• Uses various forms of communication and technology to reach a diverse group of stakeholders to deliver the Bear
  Wise Program's message, promoting public awareness in areas with bears, wolves, and mountain lions.
• Facilitates various public information data requests regarding large carnivore management.

Examples of duties

PREFERENCES/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Preference will be given to those with at least a Bachelor's degree or higher in wildlife management, range management, biology, zoology, ichthyology (or a related field) OR;
Preference will be given to those with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience working in large carnivore management including data acquisition and analysis.

Preference is given to those with wildlife immobilization training and certification.

Must have a valid driver’s license.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Requires working knowledge of large carnivore ecology, capture methods and other wildlife species.
• Excellent physical condition and ability to perform under adverse and various terrain and climatic conditions.
• Able to work independently with little direct supervision.
• Ability to work productively in a team setting and individually.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays, and late evenings/early mornings as well as extended hour workdays.
• Ability to work outside, often for long periods on foot or horseback, in severe weather conditions and terrain.
• Ability to safely ride, pack, and handle horses and mules and work in and around livestock in pasture and freerange settings.
• Well-developed communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret long- and short-term data sets.
• Ability to work with other people/agencies/groups.
• Ability to successfully negotiate positive outcomes for large carnivore species.
• Knowledge of the principles of trophy game species data collection and conservation/management.
• Computer skills and ability to learn new software packages, including knowledge of R Programs,
• Capture/Mark/Recapture population estimation methodologies,
• Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture programs, Microsoft, and various statistical applications.
• Ability to collect data from various types of aircraft.
• Knowledge of general outdoor skills.
• Knowledge of requirements for preparing reports, personnel management, and functions and structure of other agencies.
• Ability to make decisions under difficult circumstances.
• Must be able to accurately convey WGFD policy and goals to the public and other agencies.
• Full knowledge of the scientific method and application to monitor and manage large carnivores on a statewide level.
• Ability to safely and appropriately handle live wildlife in a variety of sensitive and hazardous conditions.
• Knowledge of Wyoming Statutes Title 23, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission Regulations, and other Wyoming
• Statutes pertaining to large carnivore damage and conflict resolution.
• Ability to safely utilize and handle firearms, including use in the euthanasia of wildlife.
• The position requires lifting heavy objects and strenuous physical exertion at times.
• Knowledge of the aspects of human dimensions within the wildlife profession and dealing with diverse stakeholders daily to reach common ground.
• Experience working with multiple age groups, educational backgrounds, and diversity to facilitate an efficient means of education and outreach regarding large carnivore management and conflict resolution.
• Ability to safely operate motorized equipment, including 4x4 pickup trucks, ATVs, and snowmobiles.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Bachelor's Degree (typically in Wildlife Management)

Experience:

1-2 years progressive work experience (typically in Wildlife Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Wildlife Biologist II

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None

OR

Education & Experience Substitution:

4-6 years of progressive work experience (typically in Wildlife Management) with acquired knowledge at the level of a Wildlife Biologist II

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

None

Qualifications

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position requires lifting heavy objects and strenuous physical exertion at times. Must be able to lift 50lbs or more.
• Be able to work in various weather conditions and environments.
• Must be able to work all days of the week and varied work hours, including weekends, holidays, and early mornings, evenings/late nights, and spending the night(s) in remote locations either in a tent, camper, or cabin. This position is on call to respond to job requirements.
• Travel is required.

NOTES:

• FLSA: Exempt
• Successful applicants for employment must pass a background check before appointment.
• CDL is not required for this position.

Supplemental information

040-Wyoming Game and Fish-Wildlife Division

Click here to view the State of Wyoming Total Compensation Calculator.

Click here to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

URL: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Class Specifications are subject to change, please refer to the A & I HRD Website to ensure that you have the most recent version.