Coordinating Wildlife Biologist, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Eminence, MO

Position Title: Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

Organization: Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Position Overview: Scenic Rivers Invasive Species Partnership (SRISP) was developed in 2018 to establish a Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) within southern Missouri.  The SRISP will operate in the counties of Butler, Carter, Dent, Shannon, Reynolds, Ripley, Oregon, Howell, and Texas. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was implemented by over twenty federal and state agencies, Non-Government Organizations, landowners, and others to recognize the importance of working together across boundaries to address the threats invasive species pose to Missouri’s native ecosystems and working lands. 

The Coordinator is a leadership position providing oversight, support, coordination, and implementation for SRISP projects including development and implementation of education and outreach; cooperative invasive species control; early detection/rapid response; data management; and partner communication. A strong willingness to learn, lead, work independently and inclusively (team coordination) is necessary. 

 
Duties:
  • Serve as core of the SRISP and focal contact person for all partners.
  • Communicate and report regularly with SRISP Steering Committee, as well as Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever leadership. 
  • Coordinate steering committee meetings and support subcommittees as needed. 
  • Annually review and update the Strategic Plan and Annual Action Plan.
  • Semi-annually prepare an Accomplishment Report.
  • Coordinate a SRISP partners meetings at least twice a year.
  • Obtain and maintain a Certified Commercial Applicators License.
  • Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursement provided).

Building Capacity/Program Sustainability:

  • Participate in regional, state, and national invasive species collaborations to share and obtain knowledge and skills to then share with SRISP through education events. 
  • Engage in, inform, and maintain familiarity with the ongoing work of the Missouri Invasive Plant Task Force (MoIP) and the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN).

Prevention:

  • The Coordinator will be a key player in Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) efforts, activating and directing responses to new findings and range expansions. Work with local, state, and federal partners proactively. 
  • Provide training for partners on Watch List invasive species, including identification, inventory, reporting, safety, and best practice treatment protocols. 
  • Develop an early detection species list where populations exist within the SRISP but are isolated, relatively small, and local eradication is feasible.
  • Develop a control species list within the SRISP.
  • Develop criteria for a ranking process to determine resource allocation priorities.
  • Rank the early detection species list in order of priority and revisit frequently.
  • Help to fill gaps in response capabilities of partners such as hiring contractors or mobilizing staff to control/eradicate early detection species populations.

Outreach & Education:

  • Build understanding of and proactively promote engagement in the SRISP.
  • Develop and maintain invasive species outreach materials relevant to Scenic Rivers Region including press releases, informational brochures, and similar products. 
  • Develop and deliver effective outreach and education programs for landowners, municipalities, and other stakeholders in the SRISP service area. 
  • Conduct presentations before local stakeholders such as government bodies, homeowners’ associations, and other interested and relevant groups. 
  • Increase SRISP interactions with expert researchers.
  • Meet and share annual SRISP reports with elected officials.

Treatment:

  • Coordinate survey and monitoring efforts to ensure consistent, efficient data collection, validation, storage and dissemination. Use GIS and other tools to upload information to MISIN, Mapping MO Invasives, and EDDMapS. 
  • Share invasive species location data with stakeholders.  
  • Ensure invasive species control is conducted according to best management practices and in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations. 
  • Support strike team(s) as funded.
  • Participate in the field control efforts as needed including field inventory, mapping, control evaluations, spraying, cutting, hand pulling, identification, and equipment maintenance.   
  • Track, using GIS, invasive species population locations, size, and treatment within the SRISP to ensure efficient treatment.

Qualifications:

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills using verbal, written, and social networking techniques.
  • Knowledge of and ability to develop sampling protocol to assess on the ground outcomes of programs.
  • Ability to conduct stakeholder meetings and conduct individual interviews to gather data.
  • 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. Must be a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to schedule, organize and participate in field days/special events to promote and demonstrate invasive species identification and treatment. 
  • Strong organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage demanding workloads.
  • Proficiency with ArcGIS, GPS, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
  • Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.
  • A minimum requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture, Biology, Botany, Forestry, Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field with a minimum of two years related experience. Experience working with invasive species control (monitoring, surveying, treatment) is preferred. The ideal candidate will exhibit a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to develop and conduct field work and coordinate with partners and stakeholders. Demonstrated interest, training, and experience in invasive species and natural resources management is ideal.

Start Date: July

Salary/pay: $40,000 + Benefits

Application Deadline: June 2

How to apply & application deadline: To view the full job description as well as how to apply, click here

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