Dover, DE

Position Title: Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist II

Organization: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever

Location: Dover, DE

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: In partnership with the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), this Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist will coordinate and implement wildlife habitat-related conservation programs and provide technical assistance throughout the state, which includes the WLFW Bobwhite Quail Focal Regions of Delaware. This position will be a full-time employee of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever and will be headquartered in the USDA Service Center in Dover providing service throughout the state. This individual will work in joint capacity with partner agencies to promote, coordinate and implement conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill on private lands, with primary focus on the Conservation Reserve Program and the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Bobwhite Program. Conservation delivery may also involve other relevant Farm Bill programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), general EQIP, ACEP WRE, and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), as well as state and local habitat programs and initiatives. General duties will include all aspects of wildlife habitat planning, contract coordination, conservation plan writing, site assessment/eligibility determination, practice certification, program promotion/outreach, landowner technical assistance, and quarterly reporting.

Duties:

• Provide technical assistance (wildlife habitat focus) and guidance to private landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and other groups for USDA NRCS conservation programs. Training provided jointly by NRCS, and QF.
• Coordinate the implementation and application of wildlife habitat programs in cooperation with partner agencies.
• Complete conservation plans, job sheets, wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG) and/or Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) and other required documentation for the conservation programs requiring biological expertise in cooperation with the listed partners.
• Communicate program requirements, complete site visits to determine eligibility, and develop contract supporting documents for applicants and participants of USDA-NRCS conservation programs and other local and state programs.
• Review plans and specifications for feasibility for implementation under Farm Bill program contract rules, etc.
• Accelerate conservation program enrollment by conducting outreach such as workshops, field days, demonstration events, and habitat tours.
• Provide on-site landowner technical assistance for conservation practice implementation.
• Review/certify conservation practices receiving federal financial assistance.
• Complete conservation plans as they relate to NRCS financial assistance programs, specifically CRP.
• Work with local QF chapters to assist with habitat program education and outreach and provide technical assistance for habitat projects

Qualifications:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently and with diverse clientele. Must be a motivated self-starter with strong interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of, and/or practical experience with NRCS conservation practice standards related to wildlife in the Northeast US.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, forest and grassland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools in the development of management plans.
• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided by federal (i.e., Farm Bill, US Fish and Wildlife Service), state, & local entities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, with demonstrated ability to manage demanding workloads.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, GPS, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
• Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursement provided).
• Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.

Start Date: April 25

Salary/Pay: Commensurate with experience and qualifications + benefits

Application Deadline: April 1

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 the recruitment website.