Private Lands Wildlife Forester

Title:   
             
             
Private Lands Wildlife Forester

Supervisor:     
             
Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Coordinator

Location:            
           
Franklin or Petersburg, WV

Salary:                
           
$46,969 per year

Application Deadline: March 15, 2024

Term of Position: Approx. January 1, 2024 to
December 31, 2029; extension pending additional funding

Position Summary:

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is seeking to fill one Private
Lands Wildlife Forester position in eastern West Virginia to work
effectively with private forest landowners and local partners in
West Virginia to implement sustainable forest management on private
lands following ecologically based silviculture and best management
practices for locally occurring priority wildlife
species. 

The wildlife forester will be part of a multi-disciplinary team
of biologists, foresters, soil conservationists, and others working
across West Virginia to address resource concerns and enhance
forests on non-industrial private forestland. This project is being
coordinated by Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) staff,
who are employees of ABC. Supervision, daily direction, training,
and support will be provided by AMJV and USDA Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) staff. The field foresters and
associated activities are supported with funds from NRCS and
ABC.

Primary Duties:

• Work with AMJV staff, NRCS, WV Division of Forestry, WV
  Division of Natural Resources, and other partners to:

1. Promote forest management for priority wildlife species
   identified in the WV State Wildlife Action Plan by following best
   management practices.
2. Identify and directly contact private landowners with forest
   management opportunities.
3. Conduct site visits to private forest owners and provide
   technical assistance including the development of conservation
   plans.
4. Work with NRCS staff to facilitate private landowner enrollment
   in NRCS programs.
5. Identify additional landowners and future sites for forest
   implementation or habitat restoration on private lands.
6. Complete all aspects of forest habitat management including:
   • Layout and mark boundaries of project area(s).
   • Survey project area boundaries and roads using GPS unit, then
     use collected data to produce necessary maps using computer
     programs.
   • Collect and use data to prepare the following preparation
     documents:
     Conduct forest inventory using industry software as needed
     b. Prescription Narrative
     c. Evaluate potential impacts to sensitive species
   • Apply the silvicultural prescription through timber
     marking.
   • Meet with prospective contractors to tour the project
     area(s).
   • Oversee the project implementation to ensure prescriptions are
     followed
   • Recommend and implement practices to control invasive and
     problematic species.

Other duties will include:

• Promote young forest management following the Golden-winged
  Warbler Best Management Practices to private landowners as part of
  the NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife program.
• Promote forest management following the Cerulean Warbler Forest
  Management Guidelines to private landowners, foresters and wildlife
  habitat practitioners
• Monitor and track project activities using an electronic
  database and GIS to ensure proper reporting for assessing success,
  and possibly assist with focal species monitoring pre- and
  post-treatment.
• Assist resource professionals with development of site specific
  forest and grassland management plans according to NRCS practice
  standards and focal species’ best management practices.
• Communicate with, and provide technical assistance to, private
  landowners as well as local, state and federal agencies on
  implementation of best management practices for focal wildlife
  species.
• Complete trainings to pursue NRCS conservation planner
  certification and job approval authority.
• Participate in relevant partner meetings at the state or
  regional level.
• Complete any NRCS required trainings to maintain access to NRCS
  systems.
• Write and submit quarterly and annual reports to AMJV and
  ABC.

Position Requirements:

• Graduation from an associate’s degree program in forestry
  (e.g., forest management, urban forestry, forest science,
  agroforestry), wildlife (wildlife conservation, wildlife
  management, wildlife science) or similar conservation-related
  field, and two years of technical forestry and/or wildlife
  management experience;
• or graduation from a bachelor’s or master’s degree program in
  forestry (e.g., forest management, urban forestry, forest science,
  agroforestry), wildlife (wildlife conservation, wildlife
  management, wildlife science) or similar conservation-related
  field.

Required Experience:

• Accurately identify tree species across age classes (i.e.,
  sapling to mature) and seasons (winter, summer, etc.).
• A valid driver’s license and experience navigating a vehicle on
  unpaved roads or in off-road conditions.
• Knowledge of NRCS landowner cost-share programs, especially
  EQIP.
• Experience working with private landowners as well as public
  agencies (ex. NRCS, WV DNR, USFWS, USDA Forest Service)
• Knowledge of landowner incentive programs (e.g., Farm
  Bill).

Preferred Experience:

• Preference will be given to applicants who are or are able to
  become licensed foresters in the State of West Virginia. (http://www.wvlicensingboards.com/foresters/index.cfm)
• Ability to use Excel, ArcMAP, Google Maps, and other computer
  mapping systems to identify and delineate project boundaries.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, produce effective
  results and meet deadlines. Applicant must be self-motivated,
  responsible and have the ability to solve problems.
• Ability to navigate in remote areas using GPS and/or maps

Benefits:

• Benefits include medical, medical flex, and 403(b) plan.
• Paid vacation days (15), holidays (10+), and sick leave.

To Apply:

Please apply online at
Paylocity.

If you have any difficulties uploading your resume and cover
letter, then please send them as ONE document to
[email protected]

At American Bird Conservancy, we believe that a diversity of
backgrounds, perspectives, and skills makes us more effective. We
are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive work
environment for all of our employees.

As an equal opportunity employer, ABC is committed to
ensuring that employees and applicants for employment have equal
opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry,
sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical
condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other
factor unrelated to the requirements of the position.