Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist/Forester
Tennessee
Location: USDA Service Center - Sparta, TN
Application Deadline: January 11, 2016
Overview & Job Duties:
Work in a joint capacity with Quail Forever, Inc. (QF), Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and other partners to promote, accelerate enrollment, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill with focus on Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Activities will include program promotion (workshops, one on one meetings), contract coordination, conservation planning, conservation plan modification, site assessment and reporting, and wildlife and vegetation monitoring. Specifically, the Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist’s activities will focus on the following:
- Increase landowner enrollment in EQIP, CRP and other available programs that will result in restoration of shortleaf pine and shortleaf pine-oak ecosystems as well as increases in usable habitats for Northern bobwhite and other wildlife species associated with old field and woodland/savanna habitats.
- Engage and educate landowners about proper woodland/savanna and riparian stewardship and the available cost share programs for implementation of those practices.
- Increase overall forest health in the Cumberland Plateau region by promoting Forest Stewardship Plans and use of EQIP to implement these plans. Assist with plan review and development and ensure wildlife habitat concerns are addressed. Improve water quality and aquatic habitat through increased enrollment in EQIP and CRP for riparian forest buffers and livestock exclusion from streams.
- Increase prescribed fire use for woodland/savanna management by helping to establish and work with prescribed fire landowner associations.
- Monitor for bobwhite and other songbirds and perform vegetation assessments.
This position will be an employee of, and supervised by Quail Forever, Inc., with daily instruction and leadership provided by NRCS and TWRA.
Desired Knowledge Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
- Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
- Knowledge of pine ecosystems and associated early successional wildlife
- Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland, wetland and early succession habitat 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.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Proficiency with ArcGIS and/or USDA Toolkit preferred
- Prescribed burn training and experience preferred.
- Valid driver’s license required; some use of personal vehicle will be required (mileage reimbursement provided).
- Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.
Education and Experience Preferred: A minimum requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management, Forestry or closely related natural resources field. Successful candidate must demonstrate knowledge and experience using silviculture techniques for wildlife habitat management. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs and/or experience with GIS are preferred. Experience and training with prescribed fire is also preferred.
Starting Salary: $33,000 - $38,000 + Health Benefits and Retirement Package
To Apply: Please visit our recruitment site at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs
ONLY ON LINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please include your cover letter, resume and 3 references as 1 word document or PDF file on the Recruitment website.
For questions, contact: Kent Adams, East Region Director, kadams@pheasantsforever.org or (717)319-5575