PA FBB I/II/III-Huntingdon

Pheasants Forever • Oneida Township, PA

4d • $42,000 - $60,000 • Onsite

About The Position

This position is a field-level position on the Conservation Operations Delivery Team. The successful applicant will be an employee of and supervised by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, but the position is made possible through partnerships with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) with daily instruction, quality assurance, and workload prioritization provided by the USDA NRCS. The primary work area will include Huntingdon, Blair, Bedford, and Fulton counties, with the primary duty station located in the Huntingdon, PA, USDA Service Center. Occasional service to counties outside the primary work areas may be required to address annual workload variance and to assist teammates and partners. The biologist will work in joint capacity with NRCS, Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), and other partners to promote, accelerate enrollment in, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related wildlife conservation programs. Primary workload will focus on the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

Note: The position may be filled at a I, II, or III step level, depending on applicant qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse landowners and partner agency staff.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and/or remote supervision.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology. Specific knowledge of grassland/farmland associated wildlife species’ habitat requirements is desirable.
• Knowledge of grassland and early succession habitat management, including the ability to utilize various habitat management techniques in the development of management plans.
• Knowledge of conservation practices applicable to wildlife conservation on agricultural land.
• Knowledge of federal (i.e. Farm Bill), state, and local conservation and wildlife habitat programs
• Knowledge of plant species common to Pennsylvania’s grasslands and agricultural lands and ability to identify them (Including native, non-native, invasive, and noxious species).
• Effective planning and organizational skills with ability to manage demanding workloads.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) required.
• Valid driver’s license and daily use of personal vehicle is required with a mileage reimbursement provided at current IRS rate. Work related travel can range from 6,000-10,000 miles/year.
• Must have or be able to obtain a personal cell phone to be used for work.
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.
• Proven understanding and experience working with Farm Bill Conservation Programs such as CREP, CRP, EQIP, WRE, etc.
• Proven understanding of agricultural landscapes, common farming and land use practices, and basic agricultural economics.
• Demonstrated experience working with private landowners.
• Practical understanding of habitat restoration, ecology, and land management.
• Proven experience working independently with wildlife management, private lands technical assistance, landowner outreach, and/or implementing voluntary conservation programs.
• Degree in wildlife management, natural resource management, biological sciences, or related field of study appropriate to the position; OR any combination of education, training, and/or experience that demonstrates that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the job and is comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a 4-year degree program in an appropriate field of study.
• 1 Year of practical experience with wildlife management, private lands technical assistance, landowner outreach, and/or related responsibilities.
• 3 Years of practical experience with wildlife management, private lands technical assistance, landowner outreach, and/or related responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Related continuing education, training, licenses, and certifications may also be considered in the evaluation process for all job levels, including things such as prescribed fire training, pesticide applicator licenses, NRCS Certified Conservation Planner, and more.
• Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs is preferred.
• Practical and/or professional experience in farming and agricultural disciplines is highly beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance (wildlife habitat focus) and guidance to private landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and others.
• Assist partner agencies with the implementation of Farm Bill Conservation Programs, such as CREP, EQIP, CSP, and WRE, and other relevant wildlife conservation programs.
• Conduct on-site field visits to provide habitat restoration and management recommendations, determine conservation program and/or practice eligibility and feasibility, evaluate conservation practice installation and establishment, evaluate maintenance and/or management of conservation practices, complete vegetation assessments, and more.
• Assist partner agencies with wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG), program applications, suitability and feasibility worksheets, practice assessment worksheets, practice certification, implementation requirements, prescribed burn plans, maps, soils maps, status reviews, and other technical documentation required of conservation plans and programs.
• Provide customer service to landowners by phone, in the office, and/or through on-site field visits to communicate conservation program and practice requirements, review conservation plans and other contract documents, answer questions and communicate technical information, guide conservation practice implementation, management, and maintenance, and more.
• Establish and maintain trusted working relationships with landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and others.
• Promote conservation programs and/or practices by conducting outreach such as workshops, field days, demonstration events, and habitat tours.
• Promote and accelerate enrollment in programs that allow public access to private land for wildlife-dependent recreation.
• Work with local PF/QF chapters to assist with habitat program education and outreach and provide technical assistance for habitat projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Perform all responsibilities of a FBB with minimal errors and some supervision.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Perform all responsibilities of a FBB independently.
• Provide leadership to other members of the FBB team by taking an active role in team meetings and trainings, facilitating productive communication and information exchange, sharing lessons learned and success stories, and more.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Affordable health, vision, dental and more insurance plans available
• 401(k) Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%
• Student Loan Assistance program of up to $200/month for eligible employees
• Paid Time Off accrued at 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees (increasing after 3 years)
• Bereavement/Family/Sick Leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year
• 13 Paid holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level