Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

Pheasants Forever•Craig, OK

1d•$0 - $65,000•Hybrid

About The Position

PF and partners are seeking a passionate and skilled person for an innovative conservation effort. The role is designed for someone to forge strong productive relationships built on trust and respect with a diversity of partners, explores innovative ways to deliver conservation, and producing tangible on-the-ground results for working landscapes and the people, communities and wildlife that depend on them. This position will be responsible for delivering these core principles by implementing conservation efforts in the Northwest Colorado. The position will provide technical assistance to agricultural producers, landowners, managers, the community, and state and federal partners on range, forest, wet meadow, and upland restoration projects. The position will be an employee of Pheasants Forever Inc. with daily supervision, instruction and leadership provided by PF and local partners. The position will be located in Craig, CO and will travel throughout Northwest Colorado. The incumbent is expected to work closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), US Fish and Wildlife Services Partners Program, US Forest Service (FS), Intermountain West Joint Venture, state fish and game agencies, private landowners and other stakeholders in the region. Strong candidate will be able to inspire the community, landowners, and partner to participate in process-based restoration aimed at developing and enhancing resilient watersheds on both private and public lands.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree in Rangeland Science, Wildlife Biology/Management, Forest Ecology, Agriculture, Social dynamics or Restoration Ecology from an accredited university.
Experience or knowledge of collaborative conservation and management and/or integrated wildlife management is preferred.
Experience working with agricultural producers regarding collaborative lands management projects
Understanding of habitat management at various scales.
An ability to learn and adapt to new ideas, technologies, and local cultural values.
Experience in knowledge and principles of project management, concepts of project constraints, and ability to manage and apply those principles.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
Knowledge of wildlife ecology, habitat management, grazing lands management, wetland restoration, forestry management practices, botany/ plant identification, grasslands ecology, conservation economics, resource inventory
Excellent verbal/written communication, coordination and organizational skills.
Valid driver’s license and skillset to drive at high elevation, and often remote locations, on a regular basis and occasionally during inclement weather.
Knowledge of computer skills is required, and applicant should be familiar with ARC GIS, Word and Excel.
Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions.
Basic understanding/knowledge of the BLM and or NRCS policy, planning, clearances, regulations, etc. is preferred
Valid Drivers License and ability to pass a federal background check are conditions of employment
Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field and/or related field experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience or knowledge of collaborative conservation and management and/or integrated wildlife management is preferred.
Basic understanding/knowledge of the BLM and or NRCS policy, planning, clearances, regulations, etc. is preferred

Responsibilities

Desire to learn and explore innovative and creative ways to support working landscapes with agricultural producers, NGOs and government agencies.
Coordinate conservation efforts to use Farm Bill, BLM, and other funding avenues to ensure “seamless” and integrated implementation across the landscape.
Help NRCS implement the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Frameworks for Conservation Action (Sagebrush Biome and Migratory Big Game) and related initiatives (Sage Grouse Initiative and Migratory Big Game Initiative).
Outreach, coordination and relationship-building with area ranchers, private landowners, local business-economic interests, non-governmental organizations, and local community groups (e.g., soil and water conservation districts, local area working groups, coordinated resource management groups, etc.). May include workshops, field tours, group presentations and conferences.
Promote conservation programs and practices to stakeholder in increase the pace and scale of conservation delivery.
Work with agricultural producers and private landowners to provide technical assistance for resource conservation.
Facilitate application development and contract management with agricultural producers and private landowner for conservation projects funded through Farm Bill Program opportunities like Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), or the Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP).
Coordinate integration and application of biological sciences within the conservation programs in cooperation with the local partners.
Coordination assistance with state and federal agencies and local governments.
Communicate program requirements, complete site visits, and develop contracts/plans for projects and participants.
Work with agencies and partners to develop, facilitate, and coordinate local contracts and agreements.
Complete project management through data creation, gathering, tracking and dissemination through frequent updates and reporting.
Facilitate information and awareness on conservation opportunities to partners.
Communicate program requirements, complete site visits for wildlife field clearances (surveys, inventories, monitoring) on identified fuels projects.
Provide landscape-level conservation planning, technical assistance and project prioritization support to agricultural producers, NRCS, FS, BLM and partners.
Coordinate and work directly with the WLFW team to identify landowner success stories, support outcome evaluations and reports, and assist with technical transfer to support delivery of NRCS Frameworks for Conservation Action.
Coordinate and work directly with the IWJV / BLM Partnering to Conserve Sagebrush Rangelands partnership and integrate with the Sage Capacity Team.
Serve on field level interdisciplinary teams.
Work with various agricultural producers, state and local agencies to coordinate success stories and leverage support for future years of partnership projects.
Showcase information from past and current projects to the public (i.e. presentations showing pre and post data for vegetation and wildlife populations, kiosk displays, social media posts, etc.)
Perform other job-related duties as assigned by supervisor.