Northeast Wyoming

Position Title: Coordinating Wildlife Biologist

Organization: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Location: Northeast Wyoming

Position Overview: This is a collaborative position between Pheasants Forever (PF), Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD), the Northeast Wyoming Sage Grouse Local Working Group (NE WY LWG), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program (PFW), Northern Great Plains Joint Venture (NGPJV), and other local partners. 

This position will be tasked with addressing priority sagebrush habitat concerns as outlined by the NE WY LWG, implementing NGPJV Northern Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (N-GRIP), working with USFWS PFW, and enrolling ranches in WWF’s sustainable ranching initiative. Through working with private landowners and conservation partners this position will focus on providing outreach to private landowners on wildlife friendly practices and sustainable ranching methods, promoting the adoption of mesic area restoration, developing a proactive approach to invasive annual grass management, and work with private landowners to improve rangeland management that maintains and improves sage grouse habitat and other wildlife habitat. 

Duties:

• Spearhead efforts identified by the NE WY LWG to benefit sage grouse habitats and populations.
• Lead planning, implementation, partner coordination (e.g., state and federal agencies, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and private landowners), fieldwork, and reporting for cooperative sage grouse habitat projects.
• Enroll ranches into WWF’s sustainable ranching initiative. Perform outreach, contract development, and facilitate ecological monitoring completion.
• Implement Northern Great Plains Joint Venture’s N-GRIP program. Perform outreach, facilitate contract development, and identify, plan and implement projects.
• Work with USFWS PFW to identify, plan, and implement sagebrush conservation projects through private landowner agreements and identify new funding opportunities.
• Outreach to, coordinate with, and build relationships 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.). May include workshops, field tours, group presentations and conferences.
• Work with various partners to develop, compile, and distribute success stories related to projects and partnerships. 
• Work with agencies and partners to develop, facilitate, and coordinate local contracts and agreements.
• Work with private landowners to plan and implement sage grouse habitat projects. (Mesic area restoration, prescribed grazing, grassland seeding, invasive annual grass treatment, conifer removal, and others)
• Work within tight deadlines and manage conflicting demands while successfully operating in a dynamic work environment with minimal direction from supervisor.
• Present program information in public settings and meetings; prepare clear, concise, and informative written documents and reports; maintain thorough and organized records.
• Build strong relationships with private landowners to further conservation priorities in the area.
• Promote coordination, collaboration, and communication across organizations, government agencies, private landowners, and other stakeholders to promote landscape impacts to wildlife and conservation in NE Wyoming.
• Attend necessary partnership meetings and events. (LWG meetings, Pheasants Forever chapter meetings, WGFD meetings, Conservation District meetings, and others.
• Write reports, track work progress, prepare and record program/project data and records.
• Travel to various locations within the project area.
• Work occasional weekend and weekday evening events.

Qualifications:

• A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Rangeland Science, Wildlife Biology/Management, Fire Ecology or Restoration Ecology from an accredited university. Experience or knowledge of collaborative conservation and management and/or integrated wildlife management is preferred. 
• Understanding of habitat management at a landscape scale.
• Experience in knowledge and principles of project management, concepts of project constraints, and ability to manage and apply those principles.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners, the public, and partner agencies.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology and habitat management objectives.Excellent verbal/written communication, coordination, and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license and skillset to drive at high elevation, and often remote locations, on a regular basis and occasionally during inclement weather.
• Computer skills are required, and applicant should be familiar with ARC GIS, Word, and Excel.
• 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
• Basic understanding/knowledge NRCS agency, policy, planning, clearances, regulations, etc. is preferred.
• Training and Experience Guideline: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.  A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field and/or related field experience.

Anticipated Start Date: December 2022

Salary/Pay: Up to $50,000 (based on experience) plus health benefits and retirement package

Application Deadline: November 23

How to Apply: Please use the online application to view the full job description as well as how to apply.