Position Title: Range and Wildlife Conservationist 

Organization: Pheasants and Quail Forever

Position Overview: This position is part of a collaborative effort among the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), Bureau of Land Management (BLM),  and Pheasants Forever to further the delivery of NRCS Working Lands For Wildlife (WLFW) Efforts such as the Sage Grouse Initiative.   This position provides range /wildlife technical assistance for Working Land For Wildlife efforts, the Sage Grouse Initiative, and associated Farm Bill conservation programs to agriculture producers and landowners.  This position will be an employee of Pheasants Forever Inc. with daily instruction and leadership provided by the ID-NRCS Range Management Specialist and District Conservationist and will coordinate closely with BLM, USFS, and IDFG staff. 

Duties: 

• Coordinate and participate in field work activities for sage grouse, mule deer, and other habitat project implementation through work with agricultural producers and agencies.
• Provide technical assistance (wildlife biology and range conservation focus) and guidance to landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGO’s) and others. Training will be provided by NRCS, BLM, IDFG, USFWS, Pheasants Forever and other local and state agencies.
• Outreach, coordination and relationship-building with area ranchers, private landowners, local business-economic interests, non-governmental organizations, and local community groups (e.g., soil and water conservation districts, local area working groups, coordinated resource management groups, etc.)
• Promote conservation programs with an emphasis on protection, restoration and enhancement of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and communicate program requirements to landowners and partners.
• Assist with the development of conservation plans requiring biological and rangeland science expertise in cooperation with partners.
• Landscape-level conservation planning and project prioritization support.
• Work with PF Home office staff to advertise for and hire contractors for conservation activities such as juniper removal and sagebrush planting. Oversee contractor activities and ensure specifications are being followed.
• Work with agencies and partners to develop, facilitate, and coordinate local contracts, agreements, and volunteers.
• Coordinate and track funding from partners for projects. Submit reports to partners who provide funding.
• Works with various agencies (including, but not limited to the NRCS, BLM, USFS,  IDFG, RMEF, and others) to coordinate success stories and leverage support for future restoration work in the Burley Landscape. 
• Participate in, and often lead the local “Team Approach” to identifying habitat improvement potentials with project funding partners. This includes NRCS, BLM, IDFG, OSC, USFWS-PFW, and others.  
• Participate in and/or facilitate partner meetings to increase understanding of all the conservation programs available to landowners 
• Utilize available partnerships and funds from USFWS, OSC, IDFG, and others, on all projects, as allowed by individual landowners, directing landowners to the conservation program that best fits the resource need.
• Perform other related duties as assigned; including marketing and public outreach regarding WLFW and other programs across the region. 
• Help partners with biological surveys, such as annual lek counts, fish surveys, etc. and explore other Farm Bill funded conservation projects that benefit wildlife species identified in the Idaho State Wildlife Action Plan as workload allows.

Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Strong grant writing skills preferred.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Knowledge of range science and wildlife ecology including the ability to develop prescribed grazing plans that include wildlife habitat management objectives.
• Able to obtain USDA Security Clearance and NRCS Apprentice Planning certification. 
• Valid driver’s license and skillset to drive at high elevation, and often remote locations, on a regular basis and occasionally during inclement weather.
• Ability to safely tow a trailer with UTV behind a 4×4 truck to and from the field. Safe use of UTV in the field.
• A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rangeland Science or Wildlife Biology/Management from an accredited university with an emphasis on developing prescribed grazing systems and course work and/or experience on integrating wildlife management principles into the management systems.
• Knowledge of computer skills is required and applicant should be familiar with Word and Excel.
• Ability to use ArcMap would be beneficial.
• Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions.
• Strong range background along with a wildlife management degree is preferred

Salary/pay: $38,000-$40,000

How to apply: Please click here to view the full job description and to apply.