Position Title: Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist III

Organization: Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever

Anticipated Start Date: August-September 2021

Summary:

In partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW), Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever are seeking an experienced individual to work as a Farm Bill Biologist III in Ohio. This position will be an employee of and supervised by Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever (PF & QF), with daily instruction, quality assurance, training, and workload prioritization provided by NRCS and the PF & QF State Coordinator and Senior Farm Bill Biologist. This position will provide outreach, education, and technical assistance to private landowners and partner organizations to accelerate adoption of pollinator conservation practices in Ohio. The overarching focus of this technical assistance is improved habitat management practices and habitat restoration that will increase benefits to Monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The FBB III will work in joint capacity with partner agencies to promote, coordinate, and implement conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill as it relates to pollinator habitat on private lands, with primary focus on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). General duties will include all aspects of wildlife habitat planning, contract coordination, conservation plan writing, site assessment/eligibility determination, program promotion/outreach, landowner technical assistance, and reporting. Coverage area will focus on eastern Ohio counties not currently served by a PF & QF FBB but will vary based on workload and program interest.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance for conservation practice implementation (pollinator 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 & QF.
• 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 USDA-NRCS conservation programs and other local and state programs.
• Review plans and specifications for feasibility for implementation under Farm Bill program contract rules, etc.
• Accelerate conservation program enrollment by conducting outreach such as workshops, field days, demonstration events, and habitat tours.
• Work with local PF & QF chapters and other partners to assist with habitat program education and outreach and provide technical assistance for habitat projects and participate in statewide habitat meetings.
• Facilitate the development of monarch butterfly and pollinator habitat best management practices for common scenarios, such as cropland or pasture conversion to pollinator habitat, especially as it relates to EQIP planning and implementation.
• Facilitate development of program guidance and training materials to aid partner agency staff and farmers in pollinator habitat establishment and management.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to build trust and communicate clearly and effectively with farmers, landowners, and partner agency staff.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele. Must be a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal skills.
• 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 pollinator species’ habitat requirements is desirable.
• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife habitat programs provided by federal, state, & local entities. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.
• Knowledge of agricultural landscapes, common farming and land use practices, and basic agricultural economics is desirable.
• Ability to design, write, and implement conservation plans per NRCS guidelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, time management, and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to manage demanding workloads.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.) and ArcGIS.
• Experience with NRCS’s Conservation Desktop (CD) and Conservation Assessment and Ranking Tool (CART) are strongly desired.
• Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle required with a mileage reimbursement provided.
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Education and Experience Preferred: 

Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field with a minimum of 2 years related experience is required. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs is preferred. The ideal candidate will exhibit a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to implement voluntary conservation programs on private lands. Practical and/or professional experience in farming and agricultural disciplines is highly beneficial. The successful applicant must enjoy working with private landowners and producers to achieve their conservation objectives.

Salary:

Starting range of $43,241 to $45,000 (Commensurate with experience and qualifications), plus Benefits

How to Apply: 

Application deadline is July 15, 2021 (11:59 PM Eastern Time)

Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into a single Word document or Adobe Acrobat PDF file before uploading to the “Resume” section of your application on our recruitment website. If you have questions about this position, please contact Cody Grasser, Ohio State Coordinator, cgrasser@pheasantsforever.org or 419-551-3875.

Internal applicants: please log in to ADP and click on MYSELF > Talent > Career Center

External applicants: please apply online at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs