Coordinating Wildlife Biologist – Nebraska

Application Deadline: April 9, 2024

Anticipated Start Date: May 1, 2024                                                                             

Salary Information: Commensurate with experience

Location:  Ogallala, Nebraska

Description:

The employee will work in joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), and the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) to coordinate the delivery of the Nebraska Berggren Pheasant Plan and a new community-based public access partnership. The biologist will build a successful model of coordinating habitat conservation projects on both private and public lands using federal, state, and local programs. The biologist will work closely with a wide range of resource professionals, private business owners and agencies to meet the conservation objectives. This position will require the person to be a self-starter with excellent communication skills and a strong work ethic. This effort will provide an opportunity to make significant contributions to the conservation of upland game and nongame along with public access.

Primary Responsibilities:

Primary responsibilities include promotion, coordination, and implementation of federal, state, and local conservation efforts in Western Nebraska to meet the goals and objectives of the Nebraska Berggren Pheasant Plan. The Coordinating Wildlife Biologist will also develop promote and administer efforts of the community-based access partnership. This position will involve initiation of collaborative conservation efforts between private landowners, governmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations and private business owners.

The biologist will meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever on a regular basis to help coordinate and impact habitat management efforts and participate in statewide habitat meetings. The employee will meet regularly with NGPC staff to coordinate technical assistance efforts, implement specific conservation programs to improve wildlife habitat and promote public access. The biologist will assist or coordinate activities and projects as assigned.

Essential Job Duties:

• Develop, promote and administer the community-based access partnership.
• Assist with the implementation of the Nebraska Berggren Pheasant Plan in western Nebraska.
• Communicate land stewardship concepts, wildlife habitat management objectives, and program results effectively with private landowners, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, business owners and individuals.
• Coordinate and conduct wildlife conservation education and outreach activities with various public audiences.
• Identify areas for targeted management efforts, promotion, and mailings within western NE.
• Identify area resource needs and limiting factors. Develop ways to address resource needs.
• Work with PF and NGPC communications division to develop promotional items for western Nebraska and community-based access.
• Work closely with USDA offices throughout the focus area to communicate and promote conservation programs.
• Write public access agreements including Open Fields and Waters and community-based access contracts.
• Coordinate business support and communication within the community-based access focus area.
• Coordinate community-based agreements, assist with grant reporting, and communicate budget updates.
• Coordinate public meetings and other outreach opportunities within the community-based access focus area.
• Work with local chapters of Pheasants Forever to help fulfill their mission.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication as well as organizational skills.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and have excellent people skills.
• Must be able to work effectively with private landowners, governmental agency staff and conservation organization representatives with diverse personalities.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision to accomplish goals.
• Extensive knowledge of wildlife habitat management techniques, principles, goals and objectives.
• Extensive knowledge of conservation program offerings, including USDA Conservation Programs (CRP, CCRP, EQIP, ACEP, CSP, etc.) as well as state (NGPC) and local (PF) programs.
• Sound working knowledge of wildlife ecology and rangeland management including the ability to use various habitat management tools, such as fire or grazing, in the development of and implementation of a management plan.
• Ability to work under adverse weather conditions.
• Good computer skills including knowledge of: MS Word, MS Excel and Arc View. Experience with Canva and OnX Hunt preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required with an acceptable driving record and history.
• Ability to organize, develop, and implement educational and outreach activities, including workshops, seminars, and publications.
• Strong coordination and communication skills a must.

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 3 years related field experience.