Farm Bill Range & Wildlife Conservationist
Pheasants Forever
Full-Time
Salary: $34,000 – $38,500 + Health Benefits and Retirement Package.
Anticipated Start Date: July 3rd, 2017
Overview:
This position is located within the USDA Service Center in Harper County, Oklahoma and will deliver conservation technical assistance to ranchers, producers and private landowners within the counties of Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woods, Woodward & Ellis, Oklahoma. This position will deliver range planning assistance and conservation programs that will provide services and benefits for the Lesser Prairie Chicken.
The incumbent will serve as a Farm Bill Range & Wildlife Conservationist, providing range and grassland conservation technical assistance for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC), Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA), Pheasants Forever Inc. and Quail Forever (PF/QF) and our other local partners. The successful applicant will deliver conservation programs to farmers, ranchers and other landowners that are interested in conducting range management activities and other conservation practices that will benefit upland wildlife species such as the Lesser Prairie Chicken. The position will be an employee of and be supervised by Pheasants Forever, Inc. & Quail Forever with daily instruction and leadership provided by PF South Region Director, PF LPCI Coordinator and local partners. Funding is provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
Duties:
- Provide conservation technical assistance (Emphasis on Range Management and Wildlife) and guidance to ranchers, landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and others (training will be provided the USDA, PF/QF, ODWC and other local and state agencies).
- Coordinate the implementation and application of range management and wildlife habitat within the conservation programs in cooperation with NRCS District Conservationist, ODWC Staff, and others.
- Complete contracts, applications and other required documentation for conservation programs offered under the LPCI and WAFWA’s Range-wide Plan.
- Communicate program requirements, complete site visits to determine eligibility, and develop plans and contracts for applicants enrolling in USDA Conservation Programs or other state and local conservation programs.
- Participate in field work activities for lesser prairie-chicken habitat project implementation and work with agricultural producers and ranchers.
- Through close coordination with LPCI Coordinator, NRCS and ODWC, assist in annual Lek surveys and vegetation monitoring activities.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required 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 range management, wildlife ecology, wetland and grassland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management tools and techniques in the development of management plans.
- Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided by the LPCI and WAFWA’s range wide plan. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural and range landscape is desired.
- Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided by Federal (i.e. Farm Bill, US Fish and Wildlife Service), State agencies and PF. In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in an agricultural landscape is desired.
- Ability to apply and use GIS tools (i.e. GPS, ArcMap, etc.).
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Valid driver’s license required; work vehicle provided; some use of personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursement provided).
- Able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance.
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. Experience working with private land habitat planning is highly desirable.
To Apply: Go to https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=pheasants&jobId=167787&lang=en_US&source=CC3 and click on the blue "Apply" button in the upper right hand corner.