Position Title: Range and Wildlife Conservationist

Organization: Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Salary: Commensurate with Experience + Benefits

Start Date: August/September, 2021

Summary:

This position will be located within the Working Lands for Wildlife Colorado River Mussel focus area and will be based out of the USDA Service Center in Rosenberg, Texas. This position will work in coordination with local NRCS staff to provide conservation technical assistance and conservation program delivery to private landowners within their assigned districts and other priority areas as appropriate. The incumbent will work in a joint capacity with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Oaks and Prairies and Gulf Coast Joint Ventures and other State and Federal partners to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill. The incumbent will also work to support and deliver other wildlife related conservation programs such as the Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (GRIP). Activities will include program promotion (workshops and one on one meetings), contract coordination, conservation planning, conservation plan modification, site assessment and reporting. Incumbents will provide technical biological assistance for wildlife habitat enhancement techniques to private landowners and public organizations. Work with local chapters of Quail Forever (QF) and other local partners to increase habitat management efforts and participate in regional and statewide habitat meetings. Assist or coordinate activities and projects with other QF, NRCS, TPWD and Joint Venture staff. These positions will be employees of, and supervised by Pheasants Forever, Inc. & Quail Forever, with daily instruction and leadership provided by QF & NRCS.

Qualifications:

A minimum requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management/Range Management or closely related natural resources field and three years of relevant experience. Wildlife Society Certification and graduate work will also be considered. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs (i.e. EQIP, CSP, ACEP, CRP and CREP) is preferred.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners, partner agencies and colleagues.

• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.

• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, prescribed fire, and grassland, wetland and early succession habitat management. 

• Ability to convey the use of various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.

• 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.

• Knowledge of or practical experience with agricultural systems, farming and ranching.

• Excellent verbal and written communication.

•  Strong organizational skills.

• Demonstrated ability as a leader with a high degree of self-motivation.

• Proficiency with ArcGIS and/or USDA Toolkit.

•  Conflict resolution 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 and become a certified conservation planner.

To Apply:

Application deadline is July 30, 2021

Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into a single Microsoft 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, contact: Jordan Menge, Range & Wildlife Coordinator at jmenge@pheasantsforever.org