Fairbury, NE

Job Title: Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist

Organization: Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Duties: Work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to promote, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related wildlife conservation programs. Activities will include providing technical assistance to landowners regarding rangeland and wildlife management, habitat planning, contract coordination, conservation plan modification, site assessment and reporting. Conduct and coordinate training sessions that include workshops and tours for landowners and resource professionals. Provide technical assistance related to prescribed fire to private landowners and public organizations. Meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever on to help coordinate and influence habitat and rangeland management efforts and participate in statewide habitat meetings. Implement conservation programs to improve rangeland management, wetland habitat management, grassland restoration, and wildlife habitat management on private lands. Assist or coordinate activities and projects as assigned.

Special Note:

It is expected that the candidate will enter into a 90-day introductory time period where training will consist of working in close contact with the PF State Coordinator, other Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist Team members, NGPC and NRCS personnel while being housed at their NRCS duty station. After the introductory period, the candidate will continue to have regular contact and receive direction from the PF State Coordinator with guidance from the NGPC District Manager and the NRCS District Conservationist. Candidate will serve on interdisciplinary conservation teams with NRCS and other partners.

Desired qualifications:

• Excellent oral and written communication as well as organizational skills.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and have excellent people skills.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service, sales and promotion to producers interested in conservation program information and enrollment.
• Must be able to work effectively with private landowners, governmental agency staff and conservation organization representatives.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse personalities.
• Extensive knowledge of wetland habitat management, rangeland management, grassland restoration and wildlife habitat management techniques, principles, goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of conservation program offerings, including USDA Conservation Programs (CRP, CCRP, EQIP, ACEP, CStP, etc.) as well as state (NGPC) and local (PF) programs.
• Sound working knowledge of wildlife ecology, habitat management and rangeland management including the ability to use various habitat management tools, such as fire or grazing, in the development of and implementation of a management plan.
• Prescribed fire experience is preferred.
• Ability to work under adverse weather conditions.
• Good computer skills including knowledge of: MS Word, MS Excel and Arc View.
• Valid driver’s license required with an acceptable driving record and history.

Start and end dates: May 2019 (Full-time position)

Salary/pay: Starting salary of $32,000 per year increasing to $34,500 after 1 year of service with a favorable annual review

How to apply: To apply, visit our website at: http://www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs

ONLY APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH THE PHEASANTS FOREVER WEBSITE WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please combine a cover letter that outlines your experience and interest in this position, along with a resume, and 3 references, as one MS Word document or Adobe Acrobat PDF file on the Recruitment website. Please title your attachment as LASTNAME_PFAPPLICATION.

For more information about the position, contact Kelsi Wehrman, PF State Coordinator at 402-621-0744 or e-mail at: kwehrman@pheasantsforever.org

Application deadline: April 15, 2019