GA Habitat Specialist II – Albany

Location: Albany, GA

Application Deadline:  Open until filled 

Anticipated Start Date: March 2025 

Overview: The incumbent will be part of a four-person team that will conduct habitat management work on cooperating private land and targeted public lands within designated priority geographies within Southwest Georgia as part of GADNR’s Bobwhite Quail Initiative. This position is part of a partnership between the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Quail Forever, Inc. (QF). The position is a full-time employee of Quail Forever and supervised by the Quail Forever Habitat Specialist Crew Leader with instruction and leadership provided Quail Forever Georgia State Coordinator and GADNR State Quail Coordinator.  This position will be located in the Albany, GA area.

Duties: Led by a crew leader, the four-person team will work with partners to conduct habitat management practices with a focus on prescribed fire, early-succession management and ecological restoration. The Priority work area will be on private and public lands in Southwest Georgia.

Major responsibilities include:

• Implementing habitat management work on cooperating private landowners as well as public lands that includes but is not limited to herbicide application, prescribed burning, native grass/forb establishment, shrubby cover establishment, and timber stand improvement (hack and squirt or chainsaw method)
• Participating in the construction, maintenance, and repair of equipment & implements used during your work.
• Serve as burn crew member on public and private lands and maintain qualification and participate in any additional training.
• Occasionally assist with northern bobwhite quail surveys and other scientific surveys, including but not limited to spring breeding bird surveys, fall covey counts, vegetation surveys, and management of automated recording units (ARU) on private and conservation lands.
• Assist crew lead to procure supplies and equipment following Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices and procurement policies.
• Assist with outreach and education efforts.
• Attending/Assisting with prescribed fire and other habitat management technique trainings.
• Perform other habitat management related duties as assigned.
• Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• A basic understanding of environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science.  Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the partners.  Preference will be given to candidates that possess a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in wildlife management.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of upland habitat management and restoration, prescribed fire, identification and control of invasive plant species, and use of tractors and related implements (disks, brush cutters, herbicide sprayers, seed drills, etc).
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, grassland management, and/or forest management including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat.
• Safe transportation/hauling of equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required and a clean driving record.
• Applicant may be required to obtain a CDL, private pesticide applicators license and prescribed fire training.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The following courses are preferred to have already been completed by applicant:

Course Title, Course Number

           Introduction to ICS, I-100

           Human Factors in Wildland Fire Service, L-180

           Firefighter Training, S-130

           Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, S-190

           NIMS: An Introduction, IS-700

• One year of experience conducting prescribed burns and/or timber stand improvement using chainsaws or hack and squirt methods.
• One year of experience applying herbicides to control undesirable species.
• One year of experience operating tractors, discs, and planting equipment.

Training and Experience Guideline: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.  One year of work experience in a wildlife management or agricultural related job.  Applicants who possess a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field and/or related field experience is preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

• Starting salary of $39,000-41,000 (Commensurate with qualifications).
• Health, vision, dental and more insurance coverage plans available.
• 401(k) Retirement plan with an employer match of up to 5%.
• Technology Stipend provided.
• Student Loan Assistance program of up to $200/month for eligible employees.
• Paid Time Off accrued at 15 days (120 hours) per year for new employees (increasing after 3 years).
• Bereavement/Family/Sick Leave of 6 days (48 hours) per year.
• 13 Paid holidays.
• An Employee Benefit Summary can be found on our Careers page.
• Vehicles and equipment are provided to perform work related activities.