Lehigh, Iowa

Job Title: Wildlife Management Specialist

Organization: Pheasants Forever

Type of opportunity: The primary responsibilities of the Wildlife Management Specialist at the Iowa DNR Prairie Resource Center are to assist the team with the production of local ecotype native grass and wildflower seed for Iowa’s public lands.  The person in this position must possess strong organization and communication skills and be able to express ideas orally and in writing.  The candidate must possess identification skills of plants to lead others in the propagation, maintenance, and harvest of prairie species.    The person must be a leader capable of leading groups of volunteers, inmate offenders, and other employees.  Candidates must possess the ability to operate independently with indirect supervision under general coordination and program guidelines.

Contact: Pete Hildreth, IA DNR, pete.hildreth@dnr.iowa.gov or 319-330-7013; or, Jamie Cook, IA State Coordinator for PF, jcook@pheasantsforever.org or 859-779-0222.

Duties:

• Assist with the planting, maintenance, and harvest of over 100 prairie species.
• Identification and harvest of specific prairie species from prairie remnants across the state.
• Identification and control of noxious weeds.
• Assist with the training/direction of inmate offenders, volunteers and other staff in the cleaning harvest and planting of native plant material.
• Prescribed fire implementation on native grass and wildflower fields for seed production and harvest. This duty will require fire-line construction, fire-line holding, and mop-up activities.  Performance of these tasks will require the employee to follow the Iowa DNR Prescribed Fire Policy and periodically work under physically stressful and adverse conditions.  Proficiency in the use of basic wildland firefighting equipment will be needed.
• Assist with seed propagation and care of native plants in the greenhouse.
• General equipment and facility maintenance. These activities require the ability to use simple power equipment; drills, saws, hand tools, small mowers etc.
• Safe operation of unit equipment such as tractor, combine, native grass drill, and seed cleaning equipment.
• Participate in the writing/production of the biannual newsletter.

Desired qualifications:

• College graduate with a degree in wildlife biology, animal ecology, or another closely related natural resource field.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Able to travel on overnight duties.
• Work with minimal supervision; demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail.
• Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license.
• Able to work alone or as part of a team, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings as required.
• Follow policy and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers.
• Exhibits honesty and integrity.
• Displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.

Start and end dates: March 11, 2019 (This is a one year position)

Salary/pay: $12.86-$13.05 per hour

How to apply: Visit our website at:  www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs

ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please include your cover letter, resume and 3 references as 1 Word document or PDF file on the Recruitment website.

If you have additional questions, please contact Pete Hildreth, IA DNR, pete.hildreth@dnr.iowa.gov or 319-330-7013; or, Jamie Cook, IA State Coordinator for PF, jcook@pheasantsforever.org or 859-779-0222.

Application deadline: February 22, 2019