KS Habitat Specialist – Fall River

Overview: This position is a part of a partnership between Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks and Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever (PFQF).  The incumbent be a full-time, permanent employee of PFQF and will receive daily leadership from KDWP staff.  Under the direction of KDWP staff, the incumbent will conduct habitat management work on cooperating private land and WIHA properties within the southern Flint Hills and Chautauqua Hills of Kansas as part of the state’s ‘Habitat First’ program.  This position will be based out of the Fall River Wildlife Area office (near Eureka, KS).

Duties: The incumbent will assist with wildlife habitat management and manipulation throughout the respective district. Major responsibilities include:

• Implementing habitat management work on cooperating private land which will primarily consist of brush management with a skid steer or chainsaw but may also include projects such as edge feathering, herbicide application, prescribed burning, native grass establishment, and shrubby cover establishment.
• Procuring supplies and equipment as needed;
• Reporting on project progress and completion
• Providing public information;
• Participating in scientific field studies and surveys;
• Participating in training and evaluation of seasonal employees.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.
• Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A bachelors degree in an environmental, agricultural and/or natural resource science, however education may be substituted for experience working with farm equipment such as tractors and skid loaders.
• Ability to safely transport/haul equipment (primarily with 5th-wheel trailer).
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with colleagues, landowners and partner agencies;
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in the field with little supervision;
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills;
• Valid driver’s license required;
• Applicant may be required to obtain a CDL, private pesticide applicators license and prescribed fire training.

Other Desired Qualifications

• Knowledge of wildlife ecology and grassland management including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat will be a plus;
• Experience performing prescribed burns, operating tractors and agricultural implements (disking, mowing, planting food plots, etc.), operation of skid loader with tree saw, brush grapple and other attachments, identification and control of noxious weeds and other undesired vegetation is desirable.

Training and Experience Guideline: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.  Applicants who possess a natural resource degree and/or experience operating agricultural equipment will be preferred.