Senior Wildlife Biologist - 2026-01953

State of Wyoming

$79K — $88K *
Cody, WY 82414In-Person
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Management or related field.
  • 1-2 years of progressive work experience in wildlife management.
  • Preference for a Master's degree in wildlife management or a related field with at least two years of experience.
  • Valid driver's license required.
  • Proficiency in GIS and data analysis for wildlife management.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate and implement regional wildlife disease management and surveillance.
  • Assist with proposal development and funding solicitation for disease management projects.
  • Conduct field checks and collect biological samples for disease surveillance.
  • Provide wildlife disease recommendations for hunting season management.
  • Represent the WGFD at public meetings and communicate with stakeholders effectively.

Benefits

  • Permanent full-time position with job stability.
  • Participation in wildlife disease management efforts with a regional focus.
  • Opportunity for fieldwork in remote wilderness areas.
  • Engagement with local communities and stakeholders.
  • Professional development through training and project coordination.
Full Job Description
Salary: $6,612.67 - $7,347.60 Monthly
Location : Cody, WY
Job Type: Permanent Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Division: Wildlife
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Exempt
Job Classification: FWWB10

Description and Functions
Open Until Filled
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) seeks a Senior Regional Wildlife Biologist based in Cody, Wyoming. This position leads wildlife disease management efforts within the Cody Region, and sometimes assists in statewide disease management efforts. This position is supervised out of the Cody Region.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function which may be performed in the job level.
  • Coordinates and implements regional (and occasionally statewide) surveillance and management actions to understand and, if possible, reduce the prevalence of diseases in wildlife populations.
  • Coordinates with the Department's Veterinary Services Branch and regional wildlife personnel on disease sampling, submission, and study needs.
  • Conducts field checks and collects biological samples from harvested wildlife for disease surveillance.
  • Assists with other identified disease surveillance and management needs, including the development of project proposals, solicitation of funding, and review and editing of periodic or final reports.
  • Provides wildlife disease-based recommendations for hunting season dates, quotas, and population objectives. Remains knowledgeable and current on disease sampling techniques and provides training to regional personnel as needed.
  • Plans, coordinates, and conducts large scale data collection efforts involving multiple field personnel. Leads analyses using population data for game animals including but not limited to information on population size and trend, herd ratios, distribution, movement and migration patterns, field checks of harvested animals, and mortality factors. Leads the coordination and development of hunting seasons designed to move animal populations toward established objectives, including the understanding and incorporation of public feedback. Collects data for disease surveillance and population monitoring for non-game, protected, and SGCN species.
  • Develops initial comments and recommendations for regional wildlife environmental reviews regarding projects from county governments, state and federal agencies, and private landowners. Project recommendations are developed to minimize impacts to wildlife populations by recommending alternatives and mitigation.
  • Represents the WGFD at public meetings. Develops and maintains effective working relations by communicating and coordinating with private landowners, state and local governmental agencies, project proponents, and NGOs to effectively communicate WGFD programs and policies. Present programs to civic and sportsperson organizations and schools. Routinely communicates with hunters and landowners.
  • Responds to and appropriately handles injured and nuisance wildlife calls which may require euthanasia of wildlife. Uses chemical and mechanical immobilization equipment and techniques when necessary and appropriate. Uses firearms to euthanize wildlife.
  • Identifies specific wildlife related research needs and develops project proposals, including methods and budgets, coordinates with researchers, writes proposals to acquire funds, provides input and guidance to project personnel, collects data, and writes, reviews, and edits annual and final project reports.
  • Assists in coordinating and conducting habitat management by evaluating wildlife habitat conditions, collecting data, and recommending improvements or projects to enhance wildlife habitat.
  • Participates in WGFD assigned species working groups and committee assignments.
  • Ensures budget and grant expenditures are within allocated amounts and in accordance with fiscal procedures. Maintains assigned vehicles, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other technical equipment. Carries out other duties as assigned.
  • Day and overnight travel through some of the most remote wilderness in the lower 48 states of the US to collect biological data, or to other regions to assist with disease monitoring and mitigation activities.


Qualifications
PREFERENCES:
Preference may be given to applicants with a Master's degree in wildlife management, wildlife habitat, ecology, or related field plus two years of professional work experience in wildlife management, wildlife habitat, ecology, or related field.

Preference will be given to applicants who attach an original, applicant-written cover letter with their online state application.

**Agency requires that the successful applicant have a valid driver's license.
KNOWLEDGE:

  • Knowledge of wildlife diseases, human safety procedures, and precautionary measures. Ability to coordinate and work with regional stakeholders on complex wildlife disease management issues.
  • Demonstrated experience managing complex wildlife populations while effectively engaging stakeholders and addressing public interests.
  • Exhibits professionalism, sound judgement, and a positive, collaborative attitude.
  • Knowledge of terrestrial wildlife management, population monitoring, and data collection techniques, and regional conservation issues.
  • Ability to draft, edit, and communicate technical and non-technical information for diverse audiences.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, including in-person, email, phone, and public presentations.
  • Proficiency in generating maps and spatial analyses using visualization tools such as GIS.
  • Experience traveling extensively on a routine basis within large, rural districts.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct independent fieldwork in adverse weather, including severe winter conditions, and in remote backcountry settings using varied transportation methods including snowmobiles, ATVs, four-wheel drive vehicles, and horses or mules.
  • Experience engaging directly with hunters, anglers, and other recreationists.
  • Ability to balance significant field presence with administrative, analytical, and reporting responsibilities.
  • Strong understanding of wildlife habitat requirements, limiting factors, threats, and habitat management practices.
  • Proficiency with relevant technologies used in wildlife management, including data collection hardware and software.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret biological and spatial data to inform management decisions.

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
Necessary Special Requirements
PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Travel within the region is required and can involve long drive times and work in remote areas. Additional travel outside the region may be necessary for specific projects.
  • Wild and domestic animal handling, firearms use, long hours, and irregular schedules are all required by this position.
  • Backcountry travel required at times, often in high density grizzly bear habitat.

NOTES: (This section is used for recruitment purposes.)
  • FLSA: Exempt


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

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

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

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) How many years of relevant work experience or transferable skills do you have related to the job description?
  • No relevant experience.
  • Less than one (1) year of relevant experience.
  • One (1) to less than two (2) years of relevant experience
  • Two (2) to less than three (3) years of relevant experience
  • Three (3) to less than four (4) years of relevant experience
  • Four (4) or more years of relevant experience.

04

(AA) Describe your relevant experience below.
05

(FWWB10) Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in wildlife, range, or watershed management, ecology, biology, or a closely related field, PLUS four years of professional work experience in wildlife habitat, watershed, or rangeland management
  • Yes
  • No

06

(FWWB10) Do you have a Master's Degree in wildlife habitat, range, or watershed management, ecology, biology, or a closely related field, PLUS two years of professional work experience in wildlife habitat, watershed, or rangeland management
  • Yes
  • No

07

(FWWB10) Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

08

Have you attached a cover letter and resume?This is required for your application to be complete.
  • Yes
  • No

09

(A1) Where did you hear about this opportunity?
  • Government Jobs @www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wyoming
  • Indeed
  • LinkedIn
  • Zip Recruiter
  • Wyoming Workforce Center
  • Other job sites (Wyoming at Work, Monster, etc.)
  • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
  • Newspaper/Newsletter Advertisement
  • Career Fair
  • Human Resources Division
  • Friend or Acquaintance (Not State Employee)
  • Current State Employee
  • Other

10

(A1) If you selected "Current State Employee" please provide the employee's first and last name, and include the department they work for, if known. Please limit this response to only one employee. This employee may be eligible for a Referral Bonus.
11

(A1) If you selected Other, please tell us where you heard about this opportunity.
12

(AA) VETERANS' PREFERENCE DISCLOSURE: PER WYOMING STATUTE, current em

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at State of Wyoming

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Senior Wildlife Biologist - 2026-01953 jobs: