Habitat Specialist, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Russellville, AR

Position Title: Habitat Specialist Burn Crew Member

Organization: Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever

Location: Russellville, AR

Position Summary: These positions are part of a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Quail Forever (QF). Under the direction of AGFC staff and the Habitat Specialist Coordinator, incumbents will conduct habitat management work on cooperating private land as well as targeted public lands within designated priority geographies within Arkansas as part of the state’s Quail management program.  These positions are full-time, permanent employees of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever and will receive daily leadership from AGFC and QF staff. These positions will be located at the AGFC Russellville Regional Office.

Duties: The incumbents will conduct wildlife habitat management practices throughout multiple priority areas. Major responsibilities include:

  • Implementing habitat management work on cooperating private landowners as well as public lands that includes but is not limited to edge feathering, herbicide application, prescribed burning, native grass/forb establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (hack and squirt or chainsaw method)
  • Procuring supplies and equipment
  • Providing public information
  • Participating in scientific field studies and surveys
  • Attending/Assisting with prescribed fire and other habitat management technique trainings
  • Performs other related duties as assigned
  • Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A basic understanding of environmental, agricultural, and/or natural resource science.  Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the partners.  Preference will be given to candidates that possess a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in wildlife management.
  • Experience conducting upland habitat management, prescribed burning, operating tractors and agricultural implements (disking, mowing, planting food plots, etc.), identification and control of noxious weeds and other undesired vegetation
  • Safe transportation/hauling of equipment
  • Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies
  • Ability to work independently with little supervision
  • Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland management, and/or forest management including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat
  • Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills
  • Valid driver’s license required
  • Applicant may be required to obtain a CDL, private pesticide applicators license and prescribed fire training

Desired Qualifications:

  • The following courses are preferred to have already been completed by applicant:
    • Introduction to ICS    I-100
    • Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service    L-180
    • Firefighter Training     S-130
    • Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior    S-190
    • NIMS: An Introduction    IS-700
  • One year of experience conducting prescribed burns and/or timber stand improvement using chainsaws or hack and squirt methods
  • One year of experience applying herbicides to control undesirable species
  • One year of experience operating tractors, discs, and planting equipment

Salary: Starting range of $31,000-$35,600 depending upon qualifications and experience, plus benefits

How to Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume and 3 references into 1 Microsoft Word document or Adobe Acrobat PDF file before clicking on the blue APPLY icon at the bottom or upper right corner. Upload your combined document to the Resume area of the application. For a list of all current job openings, please visit our Recruitment website at: http://www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs

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