Wildlife Biologist (Ecological Program Specialist)

Salary: $69,086.00 - $104,959.00 Annually
Location : Dauphin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CSSC-2026-59479-54485
Department: Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Division: CN Cnsvn Sci Eclgl Res Div
Opening Date: 09/30/2026
Closing Date: 10/13/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 54485
Position Number: 50386311
Union: Non Union
Bargaining Unit: B3
Pay Group: ST08
Bureau / Division Code: 00388175
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Forestry, Ecological Services Section
Worksite Address: 400 Market Street
City: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17105
Contact Name: Christine Adkins
Contact Phone: [click to reveal phone number]View phone number on us.fitly.work
Contact Email: [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work

THE POSITION
The Wildlife Biologist with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources helps guide the future of wildlife conservation in Pennsylvania. This role supports science-based decisions that protect habitats and maintain strong wildlife populations on State Forest lands. This position coordinates the Deer Management Assistance Program on State Forest Lands and coordinates landscape-level wildlife habitat projects with conservation partners. The Wildlife Biologist also serves on the Bureau's multi-disciplinary Gas Monitoring Team. It offers opportunities to collaborate with skilled experts who care deeply about conservation. This position allows you to make a meaningful difference for generations to come.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This position leads statewide wildlife management activities that help protect habitats, guide conservation decisions, and support responsible forest stewardship. It plays a key role in planning, coordinating, and evaluating programs that shape wildlife health across Pennsylvania. As a Wildlife Biologist, you will perform the following duties:

• Statewide Wildlife Planning: Develop statewide or regional plans that support wildlife conservation goals
• Habitat Evaluation: Assess wildlife habitats and recommend improvements that support diverse species
• Project Coordination: Plan and organize landscape-level wildlife and habitat projects with partners and Field Offices
• Monitoring Protocols: Evaluate and update wildlife monitoring techniques to improve management decisions
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with agencies, researchers, and conservation groups to support effective wildlife management
• Training and Outreach: Provide guidance to staff and the public on wildlife ecology and best management practices

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Wildlife Biologist 2 or Natural Resource Program Specialist 1 (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of experience as a Forester (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of professional experience in management of plant, wildlife, or natural resources and a bachelor's degree in biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, forestry, natural resources management, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Other Requirements:

• This particular position requires possession of a Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.
01

Additional Requirement - Do you possess a current driver's license which is not under suspension?

• Yes
• No

02

If you answered yes to the above question, please provide your driver's license number and expiration date. If you answered no, type N/A in the text box below.
03

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Wildlife Biologist 2 or Natural Resource Program Specialist 1 for one or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

04

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
05

Have you been employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Forester for three or more years full-time?

• Yes
• No

06

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
07

How many years of full-time professional experience in the management of plant, wildlife, or natural resources do you possess?

• 3 years or more
• 2 but less than 3 years
• Less than 2 years
• None

08

If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, type N/A in the text box below.
09

How much graduate coursework have you completed in biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, forestry, natural resources management, or a closely related field?
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting and clicking the Evaluation Services link.

• 30 credits or more
• 15 but less than 30 credits
• Less than 15 credits
• None

10

You must complete the supplemental questions below. These supplemental questions are the exam and will be scored. They are designed to give you the opportunity to relate your experience and training background to the major activities (Work Behaviors) performed in this position. Failure to provide complete and accurate information may delay the processing of your application or result in a lower-than-deserved score or disqualification. You must complete the application and answer the supplemental questions. Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position or to determine your score.

All information you provide on your application and supplemental questions is subject to verification. Any misrepresentation, falsification or omission of material facts is subject to penalty. If requested, you must provide documentation, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of individuals who can verify the validity of the information you provide in the application and supplemental questions.

Read each work behavior carefully. Determine and select which "Level of Performance" most closely represents your highest level of experience/training. List the employer(s)/training source(s) from your Work or Education sections of the application where you gained this experience/training. The "Level of Performance" you choose for each work behavior must be clearly supported within the description of the experience and training information entered in your application or your score may be lowered. In order to receive credit for experience, you must have worked in a job for at least six months in which the experience claimed was a major function.

If you have read and understand these instructions, please click on the "Yes" button and proceed to the exam questions.
If you have general questions regarding the application and hiring process, please refer to our

• Yes

11

GRADUATE LEVEL EDUCATION
Levels of Education
Select the "Level of Education" which best describes your claim.

• I have successfully COMPLETED graduate degree (master's and/or doctoral) in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Soil Science, Natural Resources Management, Hydrology, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, or Forestry.
• I have NOT completed a graduate degree, but I have completed graduate level coursework in Biology, Botany, Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Soil Science, Natural Resources Management, Hydrology, Wildlife Biology, Wildlife Management, or Forestry.
• Neither of these options apply

12

If you have selected "yes" pertaining to college coursework, please provide the requested information in the text box below. Please be sure your response addresses the three items listed below. If you indicted you have no training related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below (e.g., ABC University/WritingBasics/3).

1. College/University
2. Course Title
3. Credits/Clock Hours

13

WORK BEHAVIOR 1 - CONSULTATIVE SERVICES
Provides technical guidance and consultation to staff and other interested parties concerning issues related to natural ecological resources and implications for their conservation and management, such as: resource management recommendations, guidelines, policies, and procedures concerning natural ecosystems (forests, grasslands, wetlands); species verification; and environmental review procedures.
Levels of Performance
Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• I have professional experience providing technical guidance and consultation concerning natural ecosystems on a routine basis concerning a VARIETY of resource management topics on a MULTI-COUNTY, STATEWIDE, MULTI-STATE, OR NATIONAL LEVEL.
• I have professional experience providing technical guidance and consultation concerning natural ecosystems on a VARIETY of resource management topics on a COUNTY OR LOCAL LEVEL.
• I have professional experience providing technical guidance and consultation concerning natural ecosystems on ONE OR TWO resource management topics on a MULTI-COUNTY, STATEWIDE, MULTI-STATE, OR NATIONAL LEVEL.
• I have professional experience providing technical guidance and consultation concerning natural ecosystems on ONE OR TWO resource management topics or projects on a COUNTY OR LOCAL LEVEL.
• I have no experience related to this work behavior.

14

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The ecological resource conservation and management topic(s) which you have consulted.
3. The nature of the technical guidance you provided and the geographical area covered.
4. At what level was this guidance provided (statewide, county, or local).
5. Your level of responsibility.

15

WORK BEHAVIOR 2 - PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/COORDINATION
Plans, schedules, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates statewide ecological programs, such as: native wild plant management, ecological communities, wildlife habitat management, environmental review, natural heritage programs. Develops ecological program goals, objectives, priorities, and program rules, policies, and procedures concerning natural ecosystems. Conducts ecological program evaluations, prepares reports on the findings, and makes recommendations to ensure adherence to goals, objectives, and priorities, and to improve program effectiveness.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• I have professional experience performing ALL aspects of this work behavior, including planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating ecological program(s); developing program priorities, goals, policies, and procedures; and conducting program evaluations on a MULTI-COUNTY, STATEWIDE, MULTI-STATE, OR NATIONAL LEVEL.
• I have professional experience performing ALL aspects of this work behavior, including planning, developing, implementing, and coordinating ecological program(s); developing program priorities, goals, policies, and procedures; and conducting program evaluations on a COUNTY OR LOCAL LEVEL.
• I have professional experience performing SOME aspects of this work behavior on A LOCAL, COUNTY, MULTI-COUNTY, STATEWIDE, MULTI-STATE, OR NATIONAL LEVEL.
• I have no experience related to this work behavior.

16

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The name(s) and type(s) of ecological programs you managed or coordinated.
3. The actual duties you performed and your level of responsibility.

17

WORK BEHAVIOR 3 - INFORMATION AND EDUCATION
Provides information and education by developing and conducting formal and informal training of staff and the general public which involves compiling information, developing training materials, and answering questions in order to disseminate information; and by writing and editing brochures, booklets, pamphlets, articles, and web content to disseminate information to staff and the general public in order to build knowledge and understanding of ecological resources and implications for their conservation and management.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• I have professional experience developing and conducting training in classes, workshops, seminars, or public presentations AND I have developed, written, and published materials and/or articles concerning natural ecosystems as a principal author or co-author.
• I have professional experience developing and conducting training in classes, workshops, seminars, or public presentations.
• I have professional experience as the principal author of published materials and/or articles concerning ecological resources and implications for their conservation and management.
• I have professional experience as a co-author of published materials and/or articles concerning ecological resources and implications for their conservation and management.
• I have no experience related to this work behavior.

18

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The type(s) of training you have developed or conducted and your audience.
3. The topic(s) of the training you have developed or conducted.
4. The type(s) of materials and/or articles you have developed, written, or published (Please list the publications or reference the articles).
5. Your level of responsibility.

19

WORK BEHAVIOR 4 - LIAISON RESPONSIBILITIES
Represents the agency as a contact person to a variety of agencies and organizations, such as: conservation organizations; academic institutions; non-government organizations (NGOs); federal, state, and local government agencies; and various committees to exchange information, discuss and resolve issues, and recommend actions concerning ecological resources and implications for their conservation and management.

Levels of Performance

Select the "Level of Performance" which best describes your claim.

• I have professional experience as a contact person working with DIVERSE organizations and interest groups concerning a VARIETY of issues and topics related to natural ecosystems.
• I have professional experience as a contact person working with DIVERSE organizations and interest groups concerning a SINGLE issue or topic related to natural ecosystems.
• I have professional experience working with ONE TYPE of organization or special interest group concerning a VARIETY of topics and issues related to natural ecosystems.
• I have professional experience WITHIN an organization assisting others in performing this work behavior.
• I have no experience related to this work behavior.

20

In the text box below, please describe your experience as it relates to the level of performance you claimed in this work behavior. Please be sure your response addresses the items listed below which relate to your claim. If you indicated you have no work experience related to this work behavior, type N/A in the box below.

1. The name(s) of the employer(s) where you gained this experience.
2. The type(s) and diversity of the organization(s) with which you have worked.
3. The actual duties you performed (Provide examples of the issues and topics you have addressed).
4. Your level of responsibility.

Required Question