Kansas Protected Areas Manager

Audubon of Kansas 
Kansas Protected Areas Manager
Location: work from home, Kansas

Duties: The Kansas Protected Areas Manager will be responsible for implementing all habitat management and educational outreach on all Audubon of Kansas (AOK) Protected Areas in Kansas. Audubon of Kansas currently owns two properties in Kansas, but several more properties are expected to become AOK Protected Areas soon. Duties include supporting educational outreach to public and landowners, mowing trails and fire breaks, invasive species removal, fence building, trail maintenance, wildlife monitoring, building relationships with landowners interested in donating land to AOK’s Protected Areas Program, and other duties as assigned. The Protected Areas Manager will work with AOK’s Executive Director to create a Protected Areas Management plan annually. The Protected Areas Manager must attend virtual meetings regularly with Executive Director, AOK board meetings (1 virtual + 2 in person per year), and Protected Areas Committee meetings (mostly virtual, as needed). This position maintains a home office, but frequent trips to Protected Areas throughout Kansas expected. 

Required qualifications:

• Dedication to AOK’s mission
• High School diploma
• Valid driver’s license
• Dedication to a safe working environment
• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently
• Optimistic and problem-solving attitude
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, wetland, and grassland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat

Preferred qualifications:

• College degree in wildlife management or related field OR 4 years experience in wildlife or ranch management
• Experience with safe operation of tractors, mowers, chainsaws, and 4WD vehicles
• Experience with prescribed burning and invasive tree management
• Experience with farming and ranching management
• Experience with monitoring plant or animal populations
• Experience with safe herbicide application
• Experience with environmental education or landowner outreach

Specific Duties:

Habitat Management (50%)

• Prepares fire breaks and implements prescribed fire through working with prescribed burn associations and local fire departments
• Maintains fence through repair and tree removal
• Maintains equipment and facilities
• Monitors habitat and wildlife to evaluate the effectiveness of habitat management
• Arranges ‘volunteer days’ at Protected Areas to support volunteer involvement in habitat management including advertising volunteer opportunities, supervising volunteers in the field, and coordinating meals and lodging logistics
• Oversees contract implementation for improvements and repairs, Conservation Reserve Program, and other grant opportunities

Outreach (25%)

• Helps support outreach opportunities, such as coordinating workshops, hosting environmental education presentations for the public, and organizing open houses. Such duties may include recruiting speakers, arranging advertising, providing logistical support during the event (preparing or supervising lodging preparations for guest stays, providing a tour of facilities, hiring catering), and cleaning up after the event.

Operations and Planning (15%)

• Participates in meetings with the Executive Director, Board, and Protected Areas Committee
• Advises the Executive Director of habitat management opportunities and infrastructure needs
• Works collaboratively with Executive Director to prepare quality grant requests
• Prepares Protected Areas Management plan with Executive Director annually

Other Duties as assigned (10%)

• Other duties as assigned based on the individual’s interests and skills and AOK’s needs

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work on a computer and to complete general office tasks
• Strength to lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds
• Must be able to hike to all parts of our Protected Areas while carrying equipment and participate in restoration projects, including cutting small cedar trees, clipping and pulling invasive plants, carrying spray canisters to kill invasive plants, and moving soil or rocks.
• Must be able to climb stairs, stand, walk, reach with arms and hands and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Must be able to physically operate machinery, such as tractors and skid steers. Training provided if needed.

Benefits:

• Salary $33,000-$43,000 based on experience
• Paid vacation with flexible work hours averaging 40 hours/week
• 4% retirement match
• Health care stipend
• Cell phone allowance
• Ongoing training opportunities
• Use of AOK vehicle to travel around Kansas
• Affordable onsite housing available; living in Kansas required

Description of Audubon of Kansas:
Audubon of Kansas (AOK) is an independent grassroots nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that promotes appreciation and stewardship of natural ecosystems in Kansas and the central Great Plains, with special emphasis on conservation of prairies, birds, other wildlife, and their habitat. It is neither funded nor administered by the National Audubon Society.

Currently, AOK owns and manages three Protected Areas, two of which are in Kansas. AOK owns 45 acres of Mount Mitchell Heritage Prairie near Wamego, Kansas.  This site not only supports diverse native plant and animal species, it also is a key site in the history of the Underground Railroad in Kansas.  The second Kansas Protected Area, the 240-acre Connie Achterberg Wildlife-Friendly Demonstration Farm near Lincoln, Kansas, is an example of how farming practices and wildlife habitat can coexist.

The largest Protected Area is the Hutton Niobrara Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary located near Bassett, Nebraska.  This 5,000-acre ranch demonstrates how ranching can support diverse habitat and wildlife including mountain lions, elk, waterbirds, and prairie grouse. This Protected Area has its own Manager, who you will work with to complete the Protected Areas Management Plan and conduct joint work (implementing prescribed burns).

AOK is made up of members and supporters from across the state of Kansas and beyond. AOK is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of conservation leaders, farmers and ranchers, and others who share a common interest in implementing AOK’s mission and goals. AOK works throughout Kansas, Nebraska, and the central Great Plains, and both its members and Trustees come from numerous states across the region. 

Although AOK is not affiliated with the National Audubon Society, it works in partnership with local Audubon chapters and many other organizations. Representatives of local Kansas chapters serve on the Board of Trustees. AOK seeks to implement its goals by working cooperatively with individuals and groups representing a wide variety of interests including landowners, businesses, communities, policy makers and other conservation organizations.

For more information about Audubon of Kansas, visit https://www.audubonofkansas.org/