District Biologist – AR, LA, MS

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Agency

National Wild Turkey Federation

Location

Little Rock, AR

Job Category

Full time Positions

Salary

DOE

Last Date to Apply

05/06/2022

Website

https://nwtf.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Description

NWTF DISTRICT BIOLOGIST (AR-LA-MS) POSITION SUMMARY The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is seeking qualified candidates for a District Biologist overseeing NWTF conservation program delivery in the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Position location will be central to the three-state district. The primary objective of the District Biologist is to achieve the conservation mission, and the goals and objectives of the NWTF to include both regional (e.g., White Oak Initiative, Rocky Mountain Restoration Initiative, Young Forest Initiative, Longleaf Pine Initiative, Shortleaf Pine Initiative) and National initiatives (e.g. Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt., National Forestry Initiative, etc.). This will be accomplished through strategic alignment of State and District activities in partnership with other NWTF field staff, NWTF volunteers, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), major gift contributors and corporate partners. The work of the District Biologist will result in strategic conservation delivery and facilitation of conservation delivery at the landscape scale via improved investment of NWTF funds and time through quality project selection and identification of matching funds in the assigned area of responsibility. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS • The District Biologist (AR, LA, MS) represents the NWTF Conservation Programs department at NWTF state, district, regional and National meetings, in addition to leadership workshops as needed. • Assists with coordination of the Hunting Heritage Super Fund and serves on the Super Fund Committees for assigned area of responsibility, assists NWTF Regional Directors with local and state chapter development activities, and assists Directors of Development in prioritization of landscape scale funding needs along with associated marketing materials • Works closely with state and federal wildlife & forestry agencies: may include serving on the state’s wild turkey committee, attending agency and commission meetings, partnering on hunting heritage programs, and collaborating on large-scale habitat conservation projects on public and private lands • Monitors and coordinates policy actions within assigned area of responsibility to include tracking important hunting and conservation related regulations and legislation, land use planning and policy within the district, and providing input on national level policy as needed, e.g., USDA Farm Bill. • Serve as the primary policy contact and liaison between NWTF volunteers, partners and government affairs staff on public policy related issues, attend policy related functions, such as Sportsmen’s Caucus meetings, as appropriate, to establish relationships with key politicians. Subscribe to and monitor publications such as the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation “Tracking the Capitols” and serve as primary point of contact for Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation and other organizations for states within area of responsibility. Engage with other conservation organizations in policy groups and discussions, making supervisors and/or government affairs staff aware of important policy issues in which we need to engage and provide recommendations to Director of Government Affairs on appropriate positions for NWTF to take on issues. Assist in educating volunteers on policy issues and maintain consistency with other states and national positions, draft letters, action alerts, testimony, etc. in conjunction with Director of Government Affairs. • Identifies external funding sources such as grants (state, federal, or private), stewardship contracts, major gifts, sponsorships and special game permit auctions, as well as other financial support to match with NWTF funds and help offset costs of conservation delivery (including staff time and travel) and administers projects using these funds. • Provides news and information to NWTF’s Communications Department, Directors of Development, and Regional Directors regarding conservation projects within respective state(s) and district. Provides technical information about wild turkey biology and management to agencies and members (e.g. information requests). Contributes to Turkey Call magazine, Turkey Call television, NWTF state newsletters, websites, blogs, etc. as requested. • Provides relevant information to Field Operations, Development, NWTF volunteers and NWTF Communications Department for promotion, marketing and awareness of NWTF’s conservation priorities and activities within the district. OTHER FUNCTIONS • Administer projects and serve as Project Manager: Provide oversight and management of contractors, consultants, specialists and inspectors providing services for stewardship and other agreements and other conservation related work within the district. • Assists in development and tracking of monthly budgets and budget forecasts for area of responsibility and may develop and maintain staff funding support, assist in mentoring and training new field staff, answering programmatic and procedural questions, and hiring new staff. • Assist in development and review of research projects. • Assist state agency with wild turkey trapping activities as requested and available. • Assist Regional Directors with local NWTF chapter development and outreach activities and works with Development staff on major gift fundraising opportunities. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS – This District Biologist (AR, LA, MS) reports to the Director of Conservation Operations for the Eastern region. The position will serve as the work leader for contractors working on conservation projects within the assigned district and will be responsible for contractor monitoring & oversight on specific project activities. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources-related field and a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience, and/or a Master’s degree with two (2) years of professional experience or equivalent. • Employee must possess a solid working knowledge of game and non-game species habitat management in the ecosystems where they will be working. • Ability to work independently without close supervision and ability to determine work priorities daily, weekly and monthly to maximize time efficiency as required. • Must have good public speaking and presentation skills for both technical and nontechnical audiences. • Must possess basic computer skills such as the use of e-mail and be proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), ArcGIS, video conferencing, etc. • Must possess a working knowledge of wildlife habitat management, population management, harvest management and research techniques, as well as a working knowledge of wildlife population dynamics and accepted forestry practices • Ability to identify tree species, wildlife species, shrubs and invasive species. • Ability to read, understand and keep abreast of wildlife research and management peer reviewed journals. • Ability to navigate in remote and rural areas, communicate with land managers and provide advice to agency workers. • Must be willing to incur moderate travel within respective district including overnight stays up to 5 nights or more. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Master’s degree and five (5) or more years of professional experience • Some knowledge of statistical analysis for wildlife research • Knowledge of wildlife capture, monitoring and handling techniques • In-depth knowledge of wild turkeys, big game or upland game birds • Be able to meet the requirements for a The Wildlife Society (TWS) Associate or Certified Wildlife Biologist • Experience managing landscape scale projects with multiple objectives • Experience working with major gift contributors and corporate donors • Experience working with policy and legislative issues and interacting with decision-makers at all levels of government • Experience working with State and Federal agencies, and corporate/industry partners PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS Applicant must be able and willing to work, often alone, in a diverse range of climatic and topographic conditions including extreme hot and cold temperatures, rain, snow, sleet, ice, biting insects, snakes, mountainous terrain, swamps, very remote areas with limited access and amenities and other extreme conditions as warranted. Must be able to walk several miles per day in the conditions described above. Must be able to drive and/or ride long distances frequently. May be required to ride in fixed wing or rotary wing aircraft or watercraft. Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 20lbs. The District Biologist (AR, LA, MS) is a salaried exempt, full-time position with full benefits. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, LTD, Vacation, Sick pay, Holidays, 401(k) with employer match, and more. This position is fully remote and requires the ability to work nontraditional hours including weekends, also must be able to travel frequently. Salary is commensurate with experience. Application Deadline – May 6, 2022. Please visit the NWTF website (https://nwtf.applicantpro.com/jobs/) to apply

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • Position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources-related field and a minimum of four (4) years of professional experience, and/or a Master’s degree with two (2) years of professional experience or equivalent. • Employee must possess a solid working knowledge of game and non-game species habitat management in the ecosystems where they will be working. • Ability to work independently without close supervision and ability to determine work priorities daily, weekly and monthly to maximize time efficiency as required. • Must have good public speaking and presentation skills for both technical and nontechnical audiences. • Must possess basic computer skills such as the use of e-mail and be proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), ArcGIS, video conferencing, etc. • Must possess a working knowledge of wildlife habitat management, population management, harvest management and research techniques, as well as a working knowledge of wildlife population dynamics and accepted forestry practices • Ability to identify tree species, wildlife species, shrubs and invasive species. • Ability to read, understand and keep abreast of wildlife research and management peer reviewed journals. • Ability to navigate in remote and rural areas, communicate with land managers and provide advice to agency workers. • Must be willing to incur moderate travel within respective district including overnight stays up to 5 nights or more.

Contact Person

Human Resources

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