Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I or II

Pheasants Forever • Marysville, OH

6d • $40,000 - $56,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PF & QF), in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW), are hiring a Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist to support habitat improvement and conservation education. The position covers Union, Madison, Clark, Champaign, and Logan Counties, with a primary workstation at the USDA Service Center in Marysville, Ohio. The anticipated start date is Winter 2026/2027, and applications are accepted until the position is filled.

The biologist is employed and supervised by PF & QF and may receive training, daily instruction, workload prioritization, and other support from PF & QF and partner agencies. Working jointly with NRCS, ODOW, and other partners, the biologist will promote and implement the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and other wildlife conservation programs. The role provides technical assistance to landowners and organizations, conducts field assessments, prepares conservation documentation, and supports outreach and habitat projects.

The position requires office work and outdoor fieldwork, including walking or hiking on uneven terrain in varying weather. Overnight travel for conferences, training, staff meetings, and other events is estimated at 5–15 nights per year. Daily use of a personal vehicle is required, with mileage reimbursement at the current IRS rate; work travel may total 6,000–10,000 miles annually. The employee must have or obtain a personal cell phone for business communication and navigation and must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Requirements

• Degree in wildlife management, natural resources, or a related field appropriate to the position, or a combination of education, training, licenses, certifications, and/or experience demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse landowners and partner agency staff.
• Ability to work independently with minimal and/or remote supervision.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland habitat management, agricultural landscapes, and common farming and land-use practices.
• Knowledge of federal (including Farm Bill), state, and local conservation and wildlife habitat programs.
• Knowledge of plant species common to Ohio grasslands and agricultural lands and ability to identify native, non-native, invasive, and noxious species.
• Planning and organizational skills and ability to manage demanding workloads.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS and Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work in an office and walk or hike outdoors across uneven terrain in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to travel overnight 5–15 nights per year for conferences, training, staff meetings, and other events.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to use a personal vehicle for daily work; work-related travel may be 6,000–10,000 miles per year.
• Must have or be able to obtain a personal cell phone for business communication and navigation.
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Provide wildlife habitat-focused technical assistance to farmers, private landowners, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and others by phone, in the office, and through on-site visits.
• Conduct field visits to recommend habitat restoration and management, determine conservation program or practice eligibility and feasibility, evaluate conservation practices, and complete vegetation assessments.
• Prepare wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG), program applications, suitability and feasibility worksheets, practice assessment worksheets, practice certifications, implementation requirements, prescribed burn plans, maps and soils maps, status reviews, and other conservation-plan and program documentation.
• Promote conservation programs and practices through workshops, field days, demonstration events, habitat tours, and other outreach.
• Promote and accelerate enrollment in programs that provide public access to private land for wildlife-dependent recreation, such as VPA-HIP.
• Work with local PF & QF chapters on wildlife education and outreach and provide technical assistance for habitat projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health, vision, dental, and other insurance coverage plans are available.
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match of up to 5%.
• Student Loan Assistance program of up to $200 per month for eligible employees.
• Vehicle stipend of up to $300 per month for eligible employees.
• Paid Time Off accrued at 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees, increasing after three years.
• Bereavement, family, and sick leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• Mileage reimbursement at the current IRS rate for work-related use of a personal vehicle.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time