District Biologist - IN, MI, KY

National Wild Turkey Federation, Inc.•Indianapolis, IN

6d•Remote

About The Position

The primary objective for a District Biologist is to help deliver the NWTF's conservation mission, programs, goals, and objectives at the landscape scale across the states within their respective district. This is accomplished through strategic alignment of state and district activities in partnership with other NWTF field staff, NWTF volunteers, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), major donors, and corporate partners. The work of the District Biologist should result in both maintenance and expansion of conservation delivery via sound stewardship and investment of NWTF resources through quality project selection, identification of matching funds, partnership building, proficient grant and agreement development, and overall alignment with resource concerns specific to the district of responsibility. A core component of this role is the ability to steward relationships with major donors, engage meaningfully in philanthropic giving initiatives, and help build corporate relations that foster the growth and development of the organization and the respective states within the district. The District Biologist works closely with Development, Fundraising, and Corporate Relations staff to advance fundraising priorities alongside conservation and mission delivery. District Biologist activities deliver on the goals and objectives of the regional hub initiative (Habitat for the Hatch, Roots to Roost, etc.).

Requirements

Sound, working knowledge of game and non-game species management and habitat management in the ecosystems where they will be working, including wildlife habitat management, population dynamics and management, harvest management, and research techniques
Knowledge of accepted forestry and grassland management practices, including the ability to identify tree and grass species, wildlife species, and shrubs and invasive species
Ability to work independently without close supervision and to determine work priorities daily, weekly, and monthly to maximize time and resources
Strong public speaking and presentation skills for both technical and non-technical audiences
Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce field reports, project summaries, grant narratives, and content for both technical and general audiences
Basic computer skills such as e-mail, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office
Knowledge of wildlife research, including wildlife capture, monitoring and handling techniques, basic statistical analysis for wildlife research, and the ability to read, understand, and keep abreast of wildlife research and management via peer-reviewed journals
Ability to navigate in remote and rural areas, communicate with land managers, and provide advice to agency workers in the field
Demonstrated ability to cultivate, engage, and steward relationships with major donors, private landowners, agency partners, and conservation-minded businesses, with a solid understanding of philanthropic giving principles and donor engagement best practices
Ability to develop and grow corporate relations, including identifying and securing sponsorships and partnerships that foster growth and development of the organization
Proficiency in grant and agreement development, writing, and administration, including proposal writing, budget development, compliance monitoring, and reporting
Must be willing to incur moderate travel within and outside of the region, including overnight stays of three to five nights or more
Bachelor's degree in a natural resources related field and a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience, and/or a Master's degree with two (2) years of professional experience, or equivalent

Nice To Haves

Experience managing large projects with multiple objectives, cultivating relationships with major donors, and engaging with policy, state and federal agencies, and corporate and industry partners is preferred
Experience with grant writing, landowner outreach, major donor relations, philanthropic development, corporate partnership engagement, or conservation communications is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Acts as the primary NWTF conservation delivery contact within the respective district and manages all aspects of conservation delivery activities within its states
Attends NWTF state and regional meetings and leadership workshops as needed to assist NWTF State Chapters with Super Fund allocations, and to educate and equip volunteer leadership in conservation delivery and state-led policy
Assists with coordination of the Hunting Heritage Super Fund and serves on the Super Fund Committee for their respective state(s)
Serves as state policy lead for all states within the district, tracking important hunting and conservation-related regulations and legislation, land use planning, and policy (e.g., agency hunting regulations, Farm Bill issues, state and federal land management planning); coordinates NWTF review of, and engagement in, important policy issues, including assessing the position of the NWTF State Chapter, state agency, and other partners, and recommending NWTF action through the approved process
Partners with Directors of Development and Directors of Annual Giving to prioritize conservation issues and funding needs — including NWTF initiatives, matching funds for grants/agreements, and research needs — while actively engaging in major donor cultivation, philanthropic giving strategies, and corporate relations, including cultivation visits and stewardship activities
Works closely with state and federal wildlife agencies: may include serving on state wild turkey committees (if applicable), attending agency and Commission meetings (agenda dependent), and collaborating on large-scale habitat conservation projects on public and private lands
Identifies funding sources such as grants, U.S. Forest Service stewardship contracts, corporate sponsors, and major donors, and implements projects using awarded funds, including state and federal grants/agreements and other matching funds for NWTF Super Funds
Builds and maintains corporate relationships and partnerships, identifying sponsorship and collaboration opportunities that foster growth and development of NWTF programs and conservation delivery across the district
Assists with development and achievement of NWTF initiative goals (e.g., Roots to Roost, Habitat for the Hatch) along with state and regional strategic goals and objectives
Provides technical information about wild turkey biology and management to agencies, partners, and members; contributes to Turkey Call magazine/television, the National Website, and NWTF state newsletters, webinars, and podcasts
Provides relevant information to Field Operations, Development staff, state volunteers, and the NWTF Communications Department for promotion, marketing, and awareness of regional conservation priorities and delivery efforts
Assists in the development and review of research project proposals for state and NWTF national research grant/RFP cycles
Leads the development, writing, and administration of grants and agreements — including proposal development, budget preparation, compliance tracking, and reporting — and serves as project manager for landscape-level agreements, overseeing project status and completion in the field
Assists state agencies with wild turkey trap and transfer activities as needed and requested
Attends the annual NWTF Convention and Conservation Conference, regional/district meetings, and training opportunities as necessary
Performs other related duties as assigned
Assists in identifying and pursuing grant and foundation funding opportunities at the federal, state, and local level; supports proposal development and tracks project deliverable timelines
Secures and documents matching funds required to fulfill grant and cooperative agreement obligations
Works as part of a team to cultivate corporate partners, particularly conservation-minded businesses, consulting foresters, and real estate companies
Provides conservation impact data — acres managed, landowners engaged, species benefited — that Development staff use in donor communications, grant reports, and major gift proposals
Participates in corporate relations efforts, including field experiences and conservation tours that connect corporate decision-makers to on-the-ground habitat work
Assists in identifying philanthropic foundations capable of supporting NWTF initiatives and provides technical input for foundation grant submissions
Supplies the NWTF Communications Department with field photos, project updates, habitat success stories, and story pitches on a regular cadence for use across digital channels, e-newsletters, and the NWTF website
Contributes written content and segment ideas to Turkey Call magazine; provides technical accuracy review for assigned pieces
Participates in NWTF podcast recordings and external podcast appearances with hunting and conservation audiences to elevate regional conservation work and mission awareness
Develops and delivers presentations for state chapter meetings, agency briefings, landowner workshops, and public audiences; maintains current, accurate presentation materials for the region
Creates concise project fact sheets and conservation summaries suitable for public distribution and use by Development staff in donor stewardship
Provides webinar content highlighting conservation accomplishments, habitat management practices, and research findings for volunteer and partner audiences
Supports the digital and social media strategy by providing field-level content — photos, video clips, project updates — that can be amplified through NWTF and partner channels
Maintains up-to-date project and accomplishment data in NWTF reporting systems; provides activity summaries to the Director of Conservation Operations on a regular basis
Works with university extension partners to translate research findings into practical land management guidance for landowners and volunteers