Adair, Grundy, Harrison, Mercer, Putnam, Schuyler, and Sullivan – Missouri

Job Title: Grasslands and Grazing Coordinator

Organization: Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Type of opportunity: The successful applicant will work to connect farmers and ranchers to soil, water, and wildlife conservation technical assistance and programs in a joint capacity with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Quail Forever (QF) and other partners. This position will coordinate and focus partner efforts with the goal of providing technical assistance and guidance to producers and landowners. They will facilitate the development of grassland/grazing systems utilizing best management practices (BMP’s) approaches, grazing/hay schools, and implementation of demonstration native grass plantings. The position will serve as the Quail Forever team lead for working lands issues and work to engage agricultural partners to meet common objectives, gain capacity for increased adoption of conservation principles that result in profitability for producers, and conserve soil, water and quality wildlife resources. Within the assigned work area, this person will educate, provide technical assistance, and promote the installation of native grass/cover crop into successful production agriculture systems to improve drought resistance, soil health and improved soil, water and wildlife habitat. The incumbent will identify opportunities and gaps in program policies to agency partners to gain efficiencies for both production farmers and agency program delivery. The position will promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related wildlife conservation programs. The successful applicant must enjoy working with farmers and ranchers and have a strong desire to assist them in reaching their goals. This position will be housed in a USDA Service Center. Activities will include program promotion (workshops and one-on-one meetings), partner training and coordination, site assessments, conservation planning and reporting. He/she will meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever (PF) and Quail Forever (QF) and other local partners to influence habitat management efforts and participate in regional and statewide habitat meetings. He/she will assist and coordinate activities and projects, including grassland or quail restoration landscape development and monitoring, with other QF, MDC and NRCS staff. This position will be an employee of and supervised by Pheasants Forever, Inc.

Contact: Casey Bergthold, Missouri State Coordinator, cbergthold@quailforever.org or 573-823-0675

Desired qualifications:

• Ability to build trust and communicate clearly and effectively with farmers, ranchers, agricultural partners and other agencies is key to making this position successful.
• Ability to coordinate diverse stakeholder groups, identify common ground, develop strategy, and drive on-the-ground conservation results.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland, wetland and early succession habitat management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
• Knowledge of, and/or practical experience with, agricultural operations with emphasis on livestock and grazing systems and/or woodland and savanna management.
• Ability to serve on the Missouri forage and Grassland Council
• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife habitat programs provided by federal (i.e. Farm Bill, US Fish and Wildlife Service), state, & local entities. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.
• Ability to schedule, organize and participate in field days/special events to promote and demonstrate conservation grazing principles that are mutually beneficial to producers and the states natural resources.
• Ability to write, design and implement grazing plans per NRCS guidelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle may be required (mileage reimbursement provided).
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Education: A minimum requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Range Management, Agriculture, Forestry, Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field with a minimum of three years related experience. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs (CRP, CREP, ACEP, EQIP and CSP) is preferred.

Start and end dates: May 20th, 2019  (Full-time position)

Salary/pay: $40,000 – $45,000 + Health Benefits and Retirement Package

How to apply:  visit http://www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs

Application deadline: April 19th, 2019