Wildlife Specialist

Introduction

Placer County's Agriculture, Parks, and Natural Resources Department is seeking a Wildlife Specialist to join its dedicated team. This role is part of the department’s Wildlife Services program, which helps residents address wildlife-related concerns and provides expert guidance on behavior modification, repellents, exclusion methods, and habitat management.

As a Wildlife Specialist, you’ll play a vital role in educating the public on integrated pest management strategies while helping resolve conflicts with local wildlife. Responsibilities include trapping nuisance animals like skunks, raccoons, and opossums in both urban and rural areas. Additionally, you’ll respond to depredation cases involving livestock and pets threatened by predators such as coyotes, mountain lions, and bears. The role also involves managing issues related to wild pigs and beavers, whose dam-building activities can lead to flooding and property damage.

This is a unique opportunity to make a real impact in Placer County by protecting both its wildlife and its residents.

POSITION INFORMATION

This position requires strong customer service skills and a solid foundation in wildlife management. The role involves safely and effectively using animal traps, firearms, snares, and other equipment to manage dangerous or injured wildlife. Proficiency with computers is also important.

Countywide travel is a key part of the job, sometimes involving towing a trailer. The position often requires operating four-wheel drive or all-terrain vehicles on rough terrain, including snow, mud, and gravel. Work may take place during evenings or nights. Regular interaction with the public and partner agencies is expected, making effective communication and interpersonal skills essential.

Firearms are used frequently in this role, and employees may be required to use personal firearms, including a centerfire rifle, a 12-gauge repeating shotgun, and a .22 long rifle. Ammunition is provided.

Employment is contingent upon passing a thorough background investigation, which may include a pre-employment psychological evaluation, drug screening, and medical clearance exam.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To manage and control disruptive wildlife activities through the implementation of integrated wildlife management techniques; to mitigate wildlife damage while protecting the health and safety of the public, and reducing property damage in urban, residential, agricultural, and forest settings; and to reduce problems created by carnivores, rodents, birds, and other wild animals in urban or rural environments.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Wildlife Specialist class is a full, journey-level class assigned to perform the full range of duties. Employees receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit. The Wildlife Specialist is distinguished from the Animal Control Officer series in that the latter is responsible for enforcing laws and ordinances pertaining to the humane treatment of animals and promoting public safety through education and outreach. In contrast, the Wildlife Specialist is responsible for performing wildlife management and control through mitigation and education.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direct supervision from the Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/ Sealer or designee.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Implement integrated pest management techniques to reduce or eliminate damage caused by wildlife.
• Respond to calls from homeowners, residents, and businesses regarding wildlife that caused or may cause damage to property and crops, and/or threatens the safety of the public, pets, and/or livestock.
• Perform site evaluations and advise the public on wildlife damage mitigation techniques and habitat modifications.
• Identify predatory animal concerns; evaluate animal behavior to determine an appropriate course of action.
• Manage and mitigate the presence of wild animals that cause disturbances using a variety of tools and techniques including firearms, traps, and snares.
• Strategically set and monitor traps and snares, using appropriate scent and bait according to established guidelines; pick up or remove animals caught in traps; transport animals and the trap as appropriate, including lifting and maneuvering traps and/or cages with animals inside.
• Collaborate with the public and private organizations involved in wildlife damage control efforts.
• Maintain and repair equipment used to mitigate wildlife damage.
• Record and report daily observations, sightings, activities, and other events involving wild animals.
• Examine wildlife or livestock remains to determine feeding and other habits and tabulate data collected; document damage done by wildlife.
• Maintain collaborative relationships and open lines of communication with the public and other local, state, and federal Agencies.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed outdoors, requiring travel throughout the County, in isolated areas, and in varying environments, including inclement weather and around wildlife with exposure to noises and odors associated with various wildlife species and in close proximity to potentially infectious, poisonous and/or threatening animals. Incumbents primarily work alone and may work odd or unusual hours, including, nights, weekends, holidays, and/or overtime and may be subject to emergency call-out.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training:

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

One year of experience hunting or trapping predatory animals in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Training:

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by courses in wildlife management or a related field.


Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid driver's license as required by the position and in accordance with the California Vehicle Code. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Must satisfactorily complete an accredited firearms training course, including rifle, shotgun, and handgun within 12 months of the date of appointment. Subsequently, must complete a firearms training course every two years as offered.
• Must satisfactorily complete an ATV safety training course every two years as offered.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Wild animals of the region, including feeding, sleeping, and mating habits, environment, and general life cycles.
• Diseases and parasites affecting and transmitted by wildlife.
• Proper use and operation of equipment used in wildlife damage control operations and management including but not limited to snares, tools, traps, and firearms.
• Safe operation and care of firearms and other equipment used in wildlife management/control.
• Integrated, progressive wildlife management approaches that include the use of both nonlethal and lethal methods.
• Pertinent local, State, and Federal animal damage control laws, regulations, and policies.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; analyze damage caused by or evidence of wild animal presence; read, identify, understand, analyze, recall, interpret, and explain wildlife management techniques, policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, numerical information, work papers, reports, and special projects; analyze situations and determine proper course of action; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; manage multiple tasks and quickly switch between tasks; interpret evidence by sight, sound, tracks, and type of damage present to identify animal species; maintain awareness of safety at all times.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk, in a vehicle, or on a boat for long periods of time; continuously walk, stand, twist, climb, squat, kneel, bend, and crawl while working in the field; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; speak, use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate or enter/retrieve data from a computer; visually differentiate between colors and shades of colors in outdoor settings and when observing wildlife; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; and lift very heavy weight.
• Safely and effectively set snares and traps of up to eighty-five (85) cubic feet for domestic and range animals; attract wild animals with bait, scent, or calls.
• Safely and accurately use and discharge shotguns, rifles, side arms, and other related equipment.
• Humanely perform euthanasia to ensure proper treatment of wild animals in accordance with standard operational procedures.
• Operate and perform minor maintenance on all equipment used in the field including firearms, traps, and cages.
• Operate a boat, an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), and a four-wheel drive vehicle on a variety of unpaved and uneven terrains.
• Work effectively in stressful situations, exercise good judgment, and make sound decisions.
• Use various hand and power tools including shovels, rakes, axes, and chainsaws.
• Handle highly sensitive situations with courtesy, politeness, and patience; maintain tact and professionalism even in the most emotionally charged situations.
• Work effectively with hunting dogs as required.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interviews; deal firmly and courteously with the public; prepare appropriate reports as required.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Understand and follow written and verbal instructions.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Preciosa Ayala-Burkhardt, Administrative Technician, at payala@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4637.

Closing Date/Time: 3/25/2025 5:00:00 PM

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• Placer County

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