Deadline: Sun, 11/12/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Full Time Location: Virginia Location Detail: Norther Shenandoah Valley Job Description: ● 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 VBGI, and QF. ● Coordinate with staff at public and private partner organizations and agencies to enhance grassland bird conservation and restoration on landscapes in the Shenandoah Valley, working both at the site and landscape scale. ● Promote and help onboard landowners and producers into VGBI's financial incentives program aimed at protecting at-risk grassland bird species during the vulnerable nesting season. ● 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 WLFW. ● Increase positive awareness of VGBI, QF, and partner organizations. 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, grazing systems, 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.) ● Ability to communicate in Spanish is desired. ● Valid driver’s license required; use of personal vehicle required (mileage reimbursement provided). ● Must be able to obtain USDA Federal Security Clearance. Salary: $38,000 - $44,000 + Benefits How to Apply: Please combine your cover letter, resume, and 3 references into a single Word document or PDF file before uploading to the “Resume” area or your application on our website at www.quailforever.org/jobs For additional questions please contact Justin Proctor, VGBI Coordinator, at ProctorCJ@si.edu or Alison Menefee, Quail Forever Senior Farm Bill Biologist at AMenefee@quailforever.org
