PA Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I, II, III, or senior - Carlisle

OVERVIEW: This position is a field-level position on the Conservation Operations Delivery Team.  The successful applicant will be an employee of and supervised by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever, but the position is made possible through partnerships with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) with daily instruction, quality assurance, and workload prioritization provided by the USDA NRCS. 

The primary work area will include Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, and Perry counties, with the primary duty station located in the Carlisle, PA, USDA Service Center.  Occasional service to counties outside the primary work areas may be required to address annual workload variance and to assist teammates and partners. The biologist will work in joint capacity with NRCS, Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), and other partners to promote, accelerate enrollment in, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related wildlife conservation programs. Primary workload will focus on the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP).

*Note: The position may be filled at a I, II, III or Senior step level, depending on applicant qualifications and experience.   Current Pennsylvania Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists who wish to be considered for the Senior level may opt to retain their existing duty station and coverage area. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Provide technical assistance (wildlife habitat focus) and guidance to private landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and others.
• Assist partner agencies with the implementation of Farm Bill Conservation Programs, such as CREP, EQIP, CSP, and WRE, and other relevant wildlife conservation programs.
• Conduct on-site field visits to provide habitat restoration and management recommendations, determine conservation program and/or practice eligibility and feasibility, evaluate conservation practice installation and establishment, evaluate maintenance and/or management of conservation practices, complete vegetation assessments, and more.
• Assist partner agencies with wildlife habitat evaluation guides (WHEG), program applications, suitability and feasibility worksheets, practice assessment worksheets, practice certification, implementation requirements, prescribed burn plans, maps, soils maps, status reviews, and other technical documentation required of conservation plans and programs.
• Provide customer service to landowners by phone, in the office, and/or through on-site field visits to communicate conservation program and practice requirements, review conservation plans and other contract documents, answer questions and communicate technical information, guide conservation practice implementation, management, and maintenance, and more.
• Establish and maintain trusted working relationships with landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations and others.        
• Promote conservation programs and/or practices by conducting outreach such as workshops, field days, demonstration events, and habitat tours.
• Promote and accelerate enrollment in programs that allow public access to private land for wildlife-dependent recreation.
• Work with local PF/QF chapters to assist with habitat program education and outreach and provide technical assistance for habitat projects.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Additional responsibilities of the Farm Bill Biologist II job level:
  • Perform all responsibilities of a FBB with minimal errors and some supervision.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Additional responsibilities of the Farm Bill Biologist III job level:
  • Perform all responsibilities of a FBB independently.
  • Provide leadership to other members of the FBB team by taking an active role in team meetings and trainings, facilitating productive communication and information exchange, sharing lessons learned and success stories, and more.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned. 
• Additional responsibilities of the Senior Farm Bill Biologist job level:
  • Perform all responsibilities of a FBB proficiently with the ability to train others.  
  • Onboard, train, and develop new FBB’s.
  • Develop and implement comprehensive training plans for new FBB’s.
  • Develop and implement continuous training for the FBB team.
  • Organize and host regular team meetings to exchange information, inspire collaborative innovation, and build comradery.
  • Coordinate a team approach to the development and organization of education and outreach efforts such as habitat tours, field days, landowner workshops, and more.
  • Develop annual work plans for FBB’s.
  • Complete annual reviews of FBB’s.
  • Provide feedback, coaching, and mentorship to FBB’s.
  • Approve timesheets, leave requests, out-of-pocket expenses, and other administrative duties.  
  • Ensure accurate and timely work product reporting by the FBB team.
  • Propose and seek innovative ways to further wildlife conservation and partnerships at the state level.
  • Communicate with regional and state level partner agency contacts as appropriate.
  • Represent PF at relevant professional meetings, working groups, committees, and more as assigned.
  • Assist in the management of grants and agreements and the associated budgets, expenses, outcome reports, and more as assigned.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.