Large Carnivore Biologist 2026-00340

State of Wyoming

$79K — $88K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in wildlife management, biology, or a related field preferred.
  • 3-5 years of experience in large carnivore management required.
  • Wildlife immobilization training and certification preferred.
  • Valid driver's license required.
  • Expertise in data analysis tools and methods necessary.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement monitoring projects to assess large carnivore populations.
  • Capture and handle grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, and gray wolves.
  • Coordinate with other agencies on grizzly bear management and public outreach.
  • Investigate and manage human-large carnivore conflicts responsibly.
  • Collect and analyze biological data to inform population management strategies.

Benefits

  • Health insurance and wellness benefits.
  • Retirement savings plans and pensions.
  • Paid leave and holidays.
  • Opportunities for professional development and training.
  • Flexible work hours including a combination of field and office work.
Full Job Description
Salary: $6,612.67 - $7,347.60 Monthly
Location : Lander, WY
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Division: Wildlife
Opening Date: 09/04/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt
Job Classification: FWWB10

Description and Functions
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.

Human Resource Contact: Dezzaree Schott /
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.


Qualifications
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
Necessary Special Requirements
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 to view the State of Wyoming Classification and Pay Structure.

URL:

01

(AA) Which of the following best describes your highest completed level of education to date or within the next three (3) months? (Transcripts may be required.)
  • High School Diploma/GED/or Equivalent
  • Some college Coursework, No Degree Received
  • Associate's Degree
  • Associate's Degree and additional coursework
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree and additional coursework
  • Master's Degree
  • Master's Degree and additional coursework
  • Doctorate Degree
  • Doctorate Degree and additional coursework
  • None of the Above

02

(AA) Which of the following Quarter/Semester credit hours best describes your completed college education to date or within the next three (3) months? (Transcripts may be required.)
  • 45+ Quarter hours/30+ Semester hours
  • 90+ Quarter hours/60+ Semester hours
  • 136+ Quarter hours/91+ Semester hours
  • 180+ Quarter hours/120+ Semester hours
  • 225+ Quarter hours/150+Semester hours
  • N/A

03

(FWWB10) Which of the following best describes your work experience in Wildlife Biology? E

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