Wildlife Biologist

Job Details Job Location: Rock Hill, SC 29730 Position Type: Full Time Salary Range: $40,000.00 - $60,000.00 Salary/year Position Summary The Wildlife Biologist supports the Catawba Nation’s Department of Natural Resources by planning, implementing, and monitoring habitat-focused conservation and restoration initiatives. This position is responsible for assessing ecosystem conditions, developing and implementing habitat management strategies, restoring culturally significant landscapes, and ensuring that wildlife habitats across Tribal lands are protected, enhanced, and sustainably managed.

The Wildlife Biologist plays a key role in administering grant-funded programs; supervising and guiding field technicians; and coordinating habitat restoration activities, including rivercane expansion, forest and prairie restoration, and invasive species management. The position integrates Traditional Ecological Knowledge with contemporary conservation practices and works closely with the Wildlife & Habitat Stewardship Program Manager to ensure all projects align with and advance the Tribe’s long-term vision for ecological stewardship.

Essential Functions

An individual in this role must be able to perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Plan, implement, and lead habitat restoration projects including rivercane propagation, wetlands enhancement, forest stand improvement, and native grassland/prairie restoration.
• Conduct habitat assessments, monitor ecological conditions, and evaluate wildlife use of restored or natural landscapes.
• Design and implement invasive species management strategies that improve ecosystem health and habitat function.
• Develop and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), management plans, and project-specific protocols related to habitat restoration and monitoring.

Collect, analyze, and manage ecological data; maintain accurate and organized databases.

• Conduct biological and environmental field surveys to identify habitat conditions for protected, threatened, endangered, and culturally significant species.

Supervise, train, and mentor field technicians and interns, emphasizing professional growth and fieldwork. Engage tribal members and the local community through outreach, education, volunteer events, and culturally relevant programming.

• Perform additional duties as assigned to support overall natural resource management goals.

This position description is not an exhaustive listing of the expectations associated with the role and additional tasks may be assigned as needed by management. Changes to this document may only be made by a member of the Human Resources team. Catawba Indian Nation reserves the right to amend this job description.

Catawba Indian Nation exercises INDIAN PREFERENCE:

Native American Indian preference shall apply to this position pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (24 U.S.C. 450, et seq.), 25 CFR 271.44 and other relevant laws (title 25, U.S. code, Section 472 & 473).

Qualifications:

Qualifications:

Experience:

Minimum of 4 years in ecological fieldwork, natural resource management, habitat restoration, or related duties involving both field and administrative components. At least one year of experience developing or managing natural resource programs, including writing policies, procedures, or management plans.

Education:

BA/BS degree from an accredited college or university in wildlife biology, ecology, natural resources, environmental science, or related field required.

Licenses & Certifications:

Valid driver’s license. Driver’s License must not contain any restrictions that would prevent an employee from operating a government vehicle or complying with the Tribe’s vehicle policy. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Principles of habitat ecology, restoration ecology, and ecosystem management. Native and invasive plant species common to the region.

• Designing and implementing habitat restoration and monitoring protocols.

Using GIS, GPS, and data management tools for ecological assessment.

• Conducting plant, wildlife, and habitat surveys using standard field methods.

Supervising staff, delegating tasks, and ensuring quality control in field operations. Willingness for occasional travel for trainings, meetings, workshops and conferences. Work Environment & Physical Demands Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds repeatedly. Ability to perform strenuous physical labor in varied outdoor conditions.

Occasional work outside of normal business hours may be required.