Job Title: Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist

Organization: name hyperlinked to company website

Type of opportunity: This position will be an employee of and supervised by Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), with daily instruction, quality assurance, training, and workload prioritization provided by USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Ohio Division of Wildlife (DOW), and the PF Senior Farm Bill Biologist. One vacancy is available. The work area will include Van Wert, Paulding, Putnam, and Allen Counties, with the primary duty station located in the Van Wert USDA Service Center. Occasional service to counties outside the primary work area may be required to address annual workload variance and assist teammates and partners. The biologist will work in joint capacity with NRCS, DOW, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and other partners to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related wildlife conservation programs. Primary workload will focus on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), including the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE), plus other relevant Farm Bill programs such as Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CStP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

Contact: Kent Adams, East Region Director, kadams@pheasantsforever.org or (717) 319-5575

Duties:

• Provide technical assistance (wildlife habitat focus) and guidance to private landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and other groups primarily through federal Farm Bill programs. Training provided jointly by NRCS, DOW, and PF.
• Complete conservation plans, job sheets, wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG) and other required documentation for the conservation programs requiring biological expertise in cooperation with the listed partners.
• Communicate program requirements, complete site visits to determine eligibility, and develop contract documents for applicants and participants of Farm Bill conservation programs and other local and state programs.
• Review plans and specifications for feasibility for implementation under Farm Bill program contract rules, etc.
• Specific activities for CRP may include new enrollment, re-enrollment, mid-contract management, maintenance, and status reviews.
• Accelerate conservation program enrollment by conducting outreach such as workshops, field days, demonstration events, and habitat tours.
• Provide on-site landowner technical assistance for conservation practice implementation.
• Work with local PF/QF chapters to assist with habitat program education and outreach and provide technical assistance for habitat projects.

Desired qualifications:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agency staff.
• 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. Specific knowledge of grassland/farmland associated wildlife species’ habitat requirements is desirable.
• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided through the Farm Bill, as well as other federal, state, & local entities.
• Knowledge of agricultural landscapes, common farming and land use practices, and basic agricultural economics is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS is required.
• Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle required with a mileage reimbursement provided.
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Start and end dates: November 2019

Salary/pay: Commensurate with experience and qualifications + Health Benefits and Retirement Package

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

ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please include your cover letter, resume and 3 references as a single Word document or PDF file on the Recruitment website.
Application deadline: October 11, 2019