Coordinating Wildlife Biologist, Pheasants Forever

Chama, NM

Job Title: Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

Organization: Pheasants Forever

Type of opportunity: The incumbent serves as a Coordinating Wildlife Biologist providing biological/wildlife technical expertise for the BLM, US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners Program, and Pheasants Forever (PF) to help plan and deliver habitat restoration projects that improve big game winter range and migration corridors in northern New Mexico.   This work will include focusing on working with private landowners, local conservation coalitions, federal agencies (BLM, USFWS PFW, NM Game and Fish, and others), and several interest wildlife conservation organizations. This position will be an employee of, and be supervised by Pheasants Forever, Inc. with daily instruction and leadership provided by BLM, USFWS PFW, and PF.  Funding is provided by the Intermountain West Joint Venture, BLM, and USFWS PFW, and other state and local sources potentially in the future.

Duties:

  • Provide technical assistance (wildlife biology and range conservation focus) and guidance to private landowners, BLM lessees, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGO) and others. Training will be provided by BLM, USFWS, IWJV, Quail Forever, and other local and state agencies.
  • Coordinate integration and application of biological sciences, management plans, operational plans, and other plans providing prioritization for wildlife and other resource concerns within the local partnership group in cooperation with the local BLM district & field office staff.
  • Outreach, coordination and relationship-building with area ranchers, private landowners, local business-economic interests, NGOs, and local community groups (e.g., soil and water conservation districts, local area working groups, coordinated resource management groups, etc.). May include workshops, field tours, group presentations and conferences like at Society for Range Management (SRM), county/state fair, etc.
  • Coordinate conservation efforts and project development where possible to use USFWS Partners Program funding, Farm Bill conservation programs (i.e. EQIP, ACEP and CRP), BLM Migration Corridor and Winter Range funding requiring biological and rangeland science expertise in cooperation with all partners.
  • Work with various state and local agencies (including, but not limited to the New Mexico Game and Fish Department, Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Conservation Districts) to coordinate success stories and leverage support for future restoration work in Northern New Mexico.
  • Communicate project requirements, complete site visits, and develop contracts/plans for projects and participants, track project timelines and budgets.
  • Seek new partnerships, write and secure grants, and develop agreements as appropriate to build the partnership, and subsequent conservation efforts in the area.
  • Coordinate and track funding from partners for projects and submit reports to partners who provide funding.
  • Facilitate information and awareness on conservation opportunities to all levels of each partner in the partnership including BLM, USFWS, and IWJV staff.
  • Assist with landscape-level conservation planning, project prioritization, and project management support to the BLM, USFWS, and partners.
  • Work with agencies and partners to develop, facilitate, and coordinate local contracts agreements, and volunteers.
  • Oversight and documentation of project work and develop and track landscape project implementation schedules.
  • Showcase information from past and current projects to the public (i.e. presentations showing pre and post data for vegetation and wildlife populations, kiosk displays, social media posts, etc.).
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
  • Ability to work with partner staff and landowner to develop habitat restoration projects, meet compliance needs, and manage project implementation within the appropriate standards and specifications
  • Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
  • Knowledge of wildlife ecology, wildlife connectivity, corridors, and winter range habitat characteristics including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools and techniques in the development of habitat management plans.
  • Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided by Federal (i.e. Farm Bill, US Fish and Wildlife Service, BLM, USFS), State agencies and PF. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.
  • Ability to apply and use GIS tools (i.e. GPS, ARC Map, etc.).
  • Grant writing and grant administration skills.
  • Fundraising skills preferred.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Valid driver’s license required; work vehicle provided; some use of personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursement provided).
  • Able to obtain Federal Security Clearance.
  • Training and Experience Guideline: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field and/or related field experience. Experience working with private land habitat planning is highly desirable.

Anticipated Start Date: Early December 2020

Salary/pay: Up to $42,500 depending on experience, health benefits and retirement package

How to apply: ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into one Word document or PDF file on the Recruitment website. If you have questions, please contact Al Eiden, Director of Field Operations (West region), 602-513-6360. Please submit your application here.

Application deadline: October 19, 2020

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