Deadline: Sun, 02/04/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Full Time Location: Tennessee Location Detail: Greene County, Tennessee Job Description: : 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 within a multi-county area which includes the WLFW Bobwhite Quail focal regions of Tennessee. The position will be headquartered in USDA Service Center in Greene Co, TN, and provide service to counties in East Tennessee. This individual will work in joint capacity with partner agencies (including TWRA) to promote, coordinate and implement conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill on private lands, with primary focus on the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Bobwhite Quail Grasslands Project and Tennessee’s Quail Recovery Program. Conservation delivery may also involve other relevant Farm Bill programs such as the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), 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. Specific 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 within the focal regions in cooperation with partner agencies. ● Complete conservation plans, Implementation Requirement Sheets, wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG) 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 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. ● 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 hardwood thinning and prescribed fire as it relates to timber management and woodland/savanna restoration in the Southeastern 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. Salary: $43,000 annually + benefits including 401k match and student loan assistance option How to Apply: ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Please combine your cover letter, resume, and 3 references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading to your application on our Recruitment website at www.quailforever.org/jobs . For additional questions please contact Brittney Viers, Tennessee State Coordinator, at bviers@pheasantsforever.org or 731-358-186
