Senior Entomologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State's career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.
Do you have expertise in reptile, amphibian, and invertebrate conservation and the communication skills to put it into action? Join the Wildlife Diversity team at the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (IF&W) and help monitor, manage, and conserve the state's wildlife resources!
DEPARTMENT OF INLAND FISHERIES & WILDLIFE
IF&W SENIOR RESOURCE BIOLOGIST
(REPTILE, AMPHIBIAN, AND INVERTEBRATE SPECIALIST)
Opening Date: August 27, 2026
Closing Date: End of the day September 11, 2026
Location: Augusta*
Position Number: 01865-1096
Position Type: Permanent Full Time/Year-Round
Class Code: 9387
Grade: 28 (Professional/Technical Unit)
Salary: $60,091.20 - $84,177.60 Per Year
Interested applicants need to submit a State of Maine Direct Hire Application, Cover Letter, detailed Resume**, and Answers to Supplemental Questions (which should be attached as a separate document where you drop your Resume).
**For us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes the month and year for any relevant experience listed. Your resume should include the duties and responsibilities associated with each position. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.
BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: This position is located within the Wildlife Division's Wildlife Diversity Section in Augusta, Maine. The person in this position will serve as the Department's specialist on the conservation and management of Maine's reptiles, amphibians, and select inland invertebrates, with an emphasis on Species of Greatest Conservation Need. The position will maintain a strong focus on priority reptiles and amphibians while expanding the Department's capacity to assess and conserve priority invertebrates.
Primary responsibilities include conducting field surveys; monitoring species and populations; investigating limiting factors and conservation needs; developing species conservation plans and recovery measures; managing biological data; writing technical reports and grant proposals; overseeing small contracts; delivering outreach presentations; representing the Department at state, regional, and national meetings; and providing technical assistance to Department staff and external partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, universities, conservation organizations, and other agencies.
The person in this position will also be regularly consulted on complex environmental review projects involving forestry, residential and commercial development, transportation, and renewable energy infrastructure, including solar and wind energy projects. The position requires occasional work outside the standard workweek during certain field survey and sampling periods.
*There will be remote work opportunities with this position after management approval and following the IF&W Telework Policy.
For questions related to the position, please contact Kevin Ryan by phone at: (207) 592-3941 or by e-mail at: kevin.ryan@maine.gov
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Fisheries or Wildlife Management, or related field -AND- two (2) years of progressively responsible related laboratory or field research and/or management experience. Equivalent experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
Preference will be given to candidates with a) strong scientific knowledge of and field experience with reptiles and amphibians, coupled with meaningful experience with inland invertebrates, particularly species occurring in Maine; b) a demonstrated record of strong professional writing; and c) a postgraduate degree in conservation biology, wildlife ecology, herpetology, entomology, or a related discipline.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: In addition to the standard Direct Hire Application form, you MUST address each of the following items to be scored properly. These should be attached as a separate document where you attach your Resume:
1. Describe your training and experience in the assessment, research, and management of reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Address each taxonomic group separately and describe your most relevant field experience, including the survey, monitoring, or analytical methods you have used.
2. Summarize your experience preparing: a) technical reports; b) peer-reviewed manuscripts; c) grant proposals; and d) species conservation or management plans, survey protocols, or best management practices.
3. Summarize your understanding of the principal conservation challenges facing reptiles, amphibians, and inland invertebrates in Maine.
Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.
No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto-"Dirigo" or "I lead"-as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance - Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage- The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$14,369.04 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit - Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance- The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan- The State of Maine contributes at least 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement- Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts- Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness- The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program - Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child-including fathers and adoptive parents-receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation- Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.
As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment for applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.
If you're looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we'd love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodation is provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.