MO Native Grassland/Grazing Biologist

Application Deadline: May 2, 2025
Start Date: May 2025
Starting Salary: $43,888 – $55,000 (Commensurate with experience and qualifications) + benefits (view our benefits summary at www.quailforever.org/jobs). 

Location: Negotiable (southwest Missouri preferred)

Overview: This position is part of a collaborative effort among the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Ducks Unlimited (DU), and Quail Forever (QF) to further the delivery of the native grassland programs in Missouri. This position provides grazing and wildlife technical assistance for associated Farm Bill conservation programs to agriculture producers and landowners in Missouri with a primary focus on priority landscapes. This position will work collaboratively to promote the grazing of native forages by working with local communities, producers, the Missouri Native Grasslands Collaborative, and other partner agencies. This position will be an employee of Pheasants Forever, Inc. and Quail Forever with daily instruction and leadership provided by program partners.

Specific Duties:

• Provide technical assistance (wildlife biology and grassland/grazing land conservation focus) and guidance to landowners, government agencies, non-government organizations (NGO’s) and others.
• Lead and/or participate in multi-agency efforts to further integrate native forages and wildlife habitat into grazing programs statewide.
• Continued development of programmatic materials for use with grazing schools to further the “grazing with natives” initiative.
• Participate in MDC inter-disciplinary conservation team to enhance grassland system function.
• Provide trainings for MDC, NRCS, QF, and partner staff in grazing strategies for native forages.
• Coordinate integration and application of biological sciences within the conservation programs in cooperation with the local NRCS District Conservationist and others, consistent with the Field Office Technical Guide.
• Complete conservation plans and maps, contracts, applications, and other required documentation for Farm Bill conservation programs (i.e., EQIP, ACEP-ALE, CRP) requiring biological and grazing science expertise in cooperation with partners.
• Communicate program requirements, complete site visits to determine eligibility, and develop contracts/plans for applicants enrolling in USDA conservation programs or other state and local conservation programs for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of native grasslands and grazing lands.
• Participate and engage with the Missouri Native Grasslands Collaborative.
• Coordinate, participate, and promote grassland management and grazing workshops across Missouri with a primary focus on priority geographies.
• Lead public outreach and marketing efforts in this targeted geography to garner grassroots support and action.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge. Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
• Knowledge of grazing science and wildlife ecology, including the ability to develop prescribed grazing plans that include wildlife habitat management objectives.
• Able to obtain USDA Security Clearance and NRCS Conservation Planning certification.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, as well as organizational skills.
• A Bachelor of Science Degree in Range Management /Science or Wildlife Biology from an accredited university with an emphasis on developing prescribed grazing systems and coursework and/or experience integrating wildlife management principles into grassland systems is strongly preferred.
• Two years of experience working with producers and grazing systems involving both native and introduced plant species.
• Knowledge of computer skills is required, and applicant should be familiar with ArcGIS, Word and Excel.
• Ability to use Conservation Desktop would be beneficial.
• Physical ability to: stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions.
• Valid driver’s license.

Education and Experience Preferred: A minimum requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Range Management, Agriculture, Forestry, Wildlife Management, or closely related natural resources field with a minimum of two years related experience, or a master’s degree in the same fields listed above. Proven experience working with USDA Farm Bill programs (EQIP, CSP, RCPP, ACEP, and CRP) is preferred. The ideal candidate will exhibit a balance of technical knowledge and interpersonal skills required to develop and conduct sampling protocols for field studies, stakeholder meetings, and interviews, and implement voluntary conservation programs on private lands. A successful applicant must enjoy working with private landowners to achieve their objectives. Demonstrated interest, training, and experience in both grazing and wildlife is also ideal.