MT Mission Valley Habitat Specialist

Pheasants Forever•Ronan, MT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a collaborative position between Pheasants Forever (PF), US Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP), and other local partners. This position serves as a habitat specialist during the 2026 field season (5/11/2026-9/30/2026) to implement habitat improvements such as grass seedings, cover crop plantings, irrigating, wetland management, and other practices as assigned. The position will be in the Mission Valley and implement projects on USFWS, MT FWP, and PF owned lands. This position will be directly supervised and employed by Pheasants Forever with day-to-day guidance from USFWS and other local partners. Depending on funding availability, this position has the potential to be extended to a full-time permanent position after 9/30/2026.

Requirements

Experience implementing farming work, conservation practices, irrigation systems, invasive species management, and machinery operation.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners, the public, and partner agencies.
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.
Computer skills are 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience or knowledge of collaborative conservation and management and/or integrated wildlife management is preferred.
Understanding of habitat management at a landscape scale preferred.
Experience in knowledge and principles of project management, concepts of project constraints, and ability to manage and apply those principles preferred.
Knowledge of wildlife ecology and habitat management objectives is preferred.
Basic understanding/knowledge USFWS agency, policy, planning, clearances, regulations, etc. is preferred.

Responsibilities

Implement and monitor habitat improvement projects on US Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Production Areas, MT FWP WMA’s, and PF owned lands within the Mission Valley.
Operate machinery required to implement habitat management projects such as tractors, ATV’s, UTV’s, pickups, trailers, seeders, irrigation, and others.
Set up and maintain necessary equipment for implementing projects such as tractors, seeders, irrigation infrastructure, etc.
Coordinate with and support partner organization (PF chapter, MT FWP, CSKT, USFWS) activities to implement conservation practices.
Work with contractors and vendors to purchase services and equipment.
Perform project site visits and checkouts to ensure work is completed on schedule.
Work within tight deadlines and manage conflicting demands while successfully operating in a dynamic work environment with minimal direction from supervisor.
Share a vision and passion for natural resource management and conservation practices with diverse populations, using educational concepts and values along with strong communication skills.
Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with partners, PF, USFWS, LCCD, IWJV and NRCS staff, interns, private landowners and residents, and other community members and stakeholders to produce high quality, cost-effective work products.
Write reports, track work progress, prepare and record program/project data and records.
Travel to various locations throughout Lake County and occasionally throughout the State.
Work occasional weekend and weekday evening events.
Farming/implementation work must get done when conditions allow, long hours may be required to complete this work during field seasons.
Other duties as assigned.