Great Plains Grassland Biome Manager-Remote

Application Deadline: July 3rd, 2024

Location: This is a remote position with travel throughout a multi-state territory within the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Working Lands For Wildlife (WLFW) Framework for Conservation Action- Great Plains Grasslands Biome Project Areas. Location within the biome is flexible but must allow for reasonable travel to the following states: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Montana, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Anticipated Start Date: July-August, 2024 

Overview: The successful applicant will work closely with the NRCS West WLFW Coordinator and serve as the primary landscape specialist for PF’s WLFW related efforts in the Great Plains Grasslands biome.

Duties:

• Serve as a core member of the Western WLFW Team to elevate the continued success of grassland conservation.
• Serve as the principal liaison between PF and resource agencies and organizations involved in WLFW (e.g. Natural Resources Conservation Service, Central Grasslands Roadmap Partnership and National Cattlemen Beef Association) with the goal of implementing and accelerating conservation actions detailed in the WLFW Framework for Conservation Action- Great Plains Grasslands.
• Create a cadre of existing shared positions throughout the Great Plains Grasslands biome and align them under the common goal of accelerating Framework implementation.
• Work with NRCS and partners to identify capacity needs within their respective geographies and help them identify resources and mechanisms available to meet needs.
• Design a training program to onboard NRCS and partner shared positions that provides Framework overview; Deliver this training annually.
• Work with PF State Directors and Director of Field Operations to align PF and WLFW priorities.
• Develop agenda and host bi-monthly calls with NRCS and partners; Calls should provide relevant Framework updates and engender discussion within the partnership.
• Play a central role in regional or biome-specific WLFW workshops, and represent PF at other related trainings, workshops, and outreach events.
• Routinely deliver presentations to professional audiences, both agriculture and wildlife focused, and landowner groups to further promote successful implementation of Framework.
• Identify WLFW related communications opportunities and assist in content development and review.
• Develop new public and private partnerships to accelerate WLFW and PF conservation efforts.
• Review and comment as a panelist on funding mechanisms to align them with WLFW priorities.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated experience as a leader with strong initiative.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with partner agency personnel and PF staff.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Excellent and proven verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with multiple partners to accomplish common objectives and recruit new partners.
• Knowledge of and relationship to primary partners in the sagebrush landscape.
• Knowledge of the grasslands ecology and management.
• Knowledge of primary threats impacting grassland ecosystems and management techniques in working landscapes.

Training and Experience Guidelines:

• Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management, Range or closely related natural resources field.
• Demonstrated expertise in grassland management, especially related to addressing threats such as conifer expansion and reducing land use change.
• Demonstrated experience delivering voluntary conservation on private working lands.
• Demonstrated leadership, professionalism, and partner engagement during the applicant’s prior work experience will be an important consideration.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and project management experience is key.
• Must be a self-starter and team player. Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor effectively is desired.

Salary: $57,118 to $80,623, Commensurate to experience, plus benefits.

Pheasants Forever, Inc and Quail Forever is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.