Wildlife Biologist/Forester – Louisiana

Job Summary:

The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has an immediate need for a full-time, term limited (minimum of 2 years) Forester to work in Louisiana.  The position will be housed in the Leesville, LA USDS-Natural Resources Conservation Service office.  This position will be responsible for completing forest management plans for private, non-industrial landowners in cooperation with conservation partners including the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Duties:

• Oversee, manage, and distribute over $100,000 to landowners in order to meet specified conservation needs such as prescribed burning and Longleaf pine plantings.
• Work cooperatively with the NRCS state and local offices, agency partners, and other NWTF staff to provide technical assistance to landowners, primarily through the development of conservation plans and implementation of conservation practices via Farm Bill Programs.
• Coordinate private landowner outreach via field days, workshops, and forestry / wildlife expos
• Promote our cooperative work through landowner and partner contacts
• Generate landowner interest that leads to conservation plans being developed and subsequent contracts / producers for NRCS
• Address significant forest health issues affecting important habitat for a suite of game and non-game species as part of America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative
• Manage all aspects of planned project work including budgets, necessary reporting, and completion of established deliverables  
• Formulate geospatial aspects for all project work including the development of Arc maps outlining landowner properties, forest stands, and recommended conservation practices
• Promote accomplishments through NWTF and partners via public relations / media outlets
• Produce timely grant reports and submit time and expense entries through our web-based platforms on a regular basis.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: Preferred candidates should possess experience working in southeastern pine ecosystems and a basic knowledge of upland wildlife species and their habitat requirements to include T&E species; knowledge of forest entomology, pathology, forest management and planning for major silvicultural types of the region; knowledge of basic surveying principles, map reading and GIS/GPS technology, ArcGIS skills; ability to apply professional scientific techniques to the land for which responsibilities are assigned, ability to effectively communicate and work with private landowners, the general public, state / federal / NGO Partners, other cooperators and peers; skills in the use and operation of forestry field equipment; skills in communicating both orally and in written form to convey clear, persuasive messages that positively influence the thoughts and actions of others; ability to collect and record metrics regarding their activities within the NWTF’s reporting systems;  proficient skills in the use of Microsoft Office applications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources related field or a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry from a SAF-accredited program
• Strong organizational skills, networking, communication (ex., verbal, presentation, inter-personal, writing), project management, and leadership ability is preferred
• Experience working with private landowners as well as Federal / State agencies (ex. NRCS, LDWF, USFWS, FSA) with working knowledge of cost-share programs, such as EQIP (NRCS)
• Experience with forestry and silviculture, conservation implementation, habitat management, and wildlife biology is desired
• Able to work in a wide range of field conditions often requiring rigorous physical activity
• Capability to work independently with little direct supervision
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective results, and meet deadlines; applicant must be self-motivated, responsible and have ability to solve problems

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at a time 
• 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 navigate in remote and rural areas
• Must be willing to incur moderate travel within respective district including overnight stays up to five (5) nights or more

Remote or Telecomm Status

Position is required to report to assigned work location.

Salary Description

$54,757 Minimum Annual Salary