Ainsworth, NE

Position Title: Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I

Organization: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Location: Ainsworth, NE

Organization Overview: In 1982, a group of pheasant hunters saw the connection between upland habitat loss and declining pheasant populations. An organization dedicated to wildlife habitat conservation was needed, and Pheasants Forever was formed. Pheasants Forever’s mission work quickly garnered it a reputation as “The Habitat Organization,” a tagline the nonprofit conservation group uses proudly to this day.

Pheasants Forever’s mission is to conserve pheasants, quail, and other wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.

Position Overview: Work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to promote, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other wildlife conservation programs.

Duties:

• Habitat planning.
• Contract coordination.
• Conservation plan modification.
• Site assessment.
• Landowner outreach.
• Minimal grant reporting.
• Conduct and coordinate workshops and tours for landowners and resource professionals.
• Provide technical assistance related to prescribed fire to private landowners and public organizations.
• Work with contractors to clear eastern red cedar.
• Meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to help coordinate habitat and rangeland management efforts.
• Participate in statewide habitat meetings.
• Assist or coordinate activities and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Excellent oral and written communication as well as organizational skills.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and cold calling, and have excellent people skills.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service, sales and promotion to producers interested in conservation program information and enrollment.
• Must be able to work effectively with private landowners, governmental agency staff and conservation organization representatives.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse personalities.
• Extensive knowledge of rangeland management, grassland restoration and wildlife habitat management techniques, principles, goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of conservation program offerings, including USDA Conservation Programs (CRP, CCRP, EQIP, CStP, etc.) as well as state (NGPC) and local (PF) programs.
• Sound working knowledge of wildlife ecology, habitat management and rangeland management including the ability to use various habitat management tools, such as fire or grazing, in the development of and implementation of a management plan.
• Prescribed fire and rangeland management experience is preferred.
• Ability to work under adverse weather conditions.
• Good computer skills including knowledge of: MS Word, MS Excel and Arc GIS.
• Valid driver’s license required with an acceptable driving record.

Start Date: May/June

Salary/Pay: $38,000 increasing to $40,000 with a favorable annual review

Application Deadline: March 31

How to Apply: Please combine a cover letter that outlines your experience and interest in this position, along with a resume, and 3 references, into one MS Word document or Adobe Acrobat PDF file before uploading to the “Resume” area on your application on our recruitment website.