Private Lands Biologist

Virginia Tech • Christiansburg, VA

1d

About The Position

The Private Lands Biologist (PLB) serves as a technical expert in wildlife habitat management and supports wildlife conservation across Virginia. The role evaluates current habitat conditions and designs habitat improvements intended to benefit terrestrial wildlife populations on private and public lands.

Working independently, the biologist builds partnerships to increase the delivery and implementation of financial-incentive programs for wildlife conservation, including programs through USDA-NRCS, USDA-FSA, state Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Department of Wildlife Resources, and the Department of Forestry. The position develops and conducts outreach for multiple audiences, participates in scientific monitoring to assess the effectiveness of habitat enhancement programs, and serves on Department committees reviewing biological and sociological data to guide regulations and policy development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Natural Resources.
• Experience working specifically on private lands management.
• Experience leading teams, including mentoring, supervising, and planning.
• Professional experience evaluating wildlife habitat conditions and developing and implementing habitat management plans.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Working knowledge of wildlife ecology principles and ability to apply them using various habitat management tools to develop NRCS or other conservation plans.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with NRCS conservation programs and/or software.
• NRCS Conservation Planning certification, Job Approval Authority, and/or Technical Service Provider status.
• Knowledge of federal and state agency conservation and wildlife programs, such as the Farm Bill, the Endangered Species Act, or State Wildlife Agency Private Lands Programs, and how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape.
• Demonstrated experience working with agricultural landowners.
• Experience with geospatial information systems.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate wildlife habitat conditions and design habitat improvements to benefit terrestrial wildlife populations on private and public lands.
• Build partnerships that increase delivery and implementation of financial-incentive programs for wildlife conservation.
• Develop and conduct wildlife habitat management outreach programs for multiple audiences.
• Participate in scientific monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of wildlife habitat enhancement programs.
• Serve on appropriate Department committees and review biological and sociological data to inform regulation and policy development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time