Tuscon, AZ

Position Title: Coordinating Wildlife Biologist 

Organization: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever 

Anticipated Start Date: October 1st, 2021

Overview:

This position is in the Tucson Regional Office of the Arizona Game and Fish Department and will be a direct employee of Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever. The position will serve as the regional private lands and ag lessee coordinator for AZ Game and Fish, which provides Farm Bill program technical assistance and broad-based conservation program funding to landowners; provide work on improving wildlife habitat on Department-owned properties, work to deliver AGFD’s Landowner Relations Program, and work with local Quail Forever chapters to provide assistance with quail management/monitoring needs in Arizona. This position also serves as the senior biologist in Arizona for Quail Forever. All work will be consistent with and directed to achieve conservation goals of all cooperating partners’ programs.

Duties:

• Plans, organizes, monitors, and implements activities and projects that improve habitat or secure recreational access for hunters in association with the Department’s statewide Landowner Relations Programs (LRP) and coordinating with the Phoenix Headquarters and Tucson Regional Office of AZ Game and Fish Dept.
• Identify landscape level habitat restoration projects that benefit Arizona Quail Species and all wildlife, and work to bring together partners to plan and implement large scale habitat restoration projects.
• Works with landowners, farmers, and ranchers to foster strong relationships, and incorporate wildlife concerns into the planning and implementation of ranch operations.
• Works collaboratively with local NRCS field offices to provide wildlife expertise for staff and landowners working with NRCS.
• Negotiates projects and agreements with private landowners to enhance and conserve sensitive wildlife habitat and special status species on private lands.
• Works closely with private landowners and land management agencies to resolve issues, concerns and problems with wildlife habitat or recreational access.
• Executes and implements all types of agreements with private landowners and land management agencies associated with the Department’s LRP.
• Serve as a point of contact for the region on all landscape level restoration projects and is the staff liaison to the Habitat Partnership Committees in the region
• In addition, works closely with NRCS staff and landowners to promote Farm Bill programs such as Conservation Planning for Wildlife, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, and several others.
• Provides staff support in developing required documentation for project compliance (NEPA, ESA, etc).
• Conducts wildlife and wildlife habitat surveys of public and private lands to determine opportunities for wildlife habitat improvements or mitigating recreational access issues.
• Uses technical equipment such as GPS, computers, etc.
• Presents programs to landowners, technical meetings, and public information opportunities.
• Assist with hunter recruitment/retention events
• Assists the West Region Director with quarterly and annual performance reports for the partnership with AGFD
• Assist the West Region Director with timesheet approval, expense report approval, and on boarding new QF staff in Arizona
• Assist the West Region Director with Arizona QF staff meetings, recommend trainings for staff, and provide guidance and mentoring for new staff in Arizona.
• Write and administer grants including any required performance reporting and budget tracking.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as needed.
• Acts as a liaison for PF & QF and the Department with the Agriculture Community, Sportsmen groups, and non-profit entities engaged in habitat restoration or securing recreational access.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of Arizona wildlife species and their habitat requirements, and have the ability to effectively coordinate, cooperate, and communicate with private landowners and agencies as an advocate for conservation and enhancement of wildlife habitat and wildlife populations. Knowledge of computer programs such as Word, Outlook, Excel, G Suite and GIS (ARCGIS) is desirable.

Training and Experience Guideline:

Bachelor’s degree in a wildlife science or closely related field from an accredited college or university, and two years of professional experience in wildlife research or wildlife management. A graduate degree in a wildlife science or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Salary: up to $50,000 + benefits depending on experience.

To Apply:

Applications open until August 26th, 2021

Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into a single Microsoft Word document or Adobe Acrobat PDF before uploading to the “Resume” section of your application on our Recruitment website at http://www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs . Your cover letter should outline your experience and interest in this position.

If you have questions, contact Al Eiden, Director of Conservation Delivery – Western region, aeiden@pheasantsforever.org or 602-513-6360.