MO Prescribed Fire Coordinating Wildlife Biologist I

Location: Northern Missouri, Milan preferred

Overview & Job Duties:

Quail Forever in Missouri is seeking qualified candidates for a Prescribed Fire Coordinating Wildlife Biologist position to coordinate, promote, and support the safe and effective use of prescribed fire on private lands across Northern Missouri.

The Prescribed Fire Coordinating Wildlife Biologist will work as a member of the Missouri Quail Forever Team in close coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, and other key partners. The primary responsibilities of this position are prescribed fire planning, outreach, training, and coordination. This position will work closely with a wide range of individuals and resource professionals promoting the development and implementation of prescribed fire in Missouri. This position will require a self-starter with excellent communication and organizational skills and a strong work ethic. This prescribed fire partnership effort will provide an opportunity to make significant contributions to the conservation of natural resources across Missouri.

Expected Duties:

• In consultation with private landowners, conduct site visits and assess burn units prior to burns to verify adherence to prescriptions, watch outs, and minimize risk associated with prescribed fire operations.
• Write, review, and approve prescribed burn plans for private landowners, burn contractors, and biologists.
• Develop and coordinate a Prescribed Burn Plan contracting program in areas where landowner requests exceed staff capabilities. This will include workload assessment, bid development, contractor selection, and plan review and approval.
• Working with Technical Service Providers (TSP) and qualified contractors to meet burn plan development needs in high workload counties.
• Work with Missouri Prescribed Fire Council, Missouri Prescribed Burn Associations, Missouri Department of Conservation, and other wildlife and fire management partners (e.g., Fire Districts) to identify and deliver prescribed fire outreach and training needs.
• Organize and lead trainings including webinars and in-person workshops concerning prescribed fire for training and outreach purposes.
• Participate in and lead training burns, ensuring adherence to prescription and the safety of participants, neighbors, and the general public.
• Support the development of landowner-led Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) to facilitate increased practice implementation.
• Communicate regularly with Missouri fire practitioners across the state to build upon the use of prescribed fire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to provide or pursue prescribed fire certifications. Preference given to holders of any combination of:
  • State: MDC Fire Management Levels 1, 2, and 3
  • Federal: S-130, S-190, S-131, S-290
• Working knowledge of prescribed fire standards and practices within the state of Missouri.
• Extensive knowledge of wildlife habitat management techniques, principles, goals, and objectives including knowledge of fire, grazing and habitat restoration.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in the use and delivery of prescribed fire.
• Must work effectively with private landowners, agency and partner staff, technical service providers, and other conservation organizations.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse personalities.
• Ability to accomplish goals associated with grant deliverables and agreements.
• Ability to organize, develop, and implement educational and outreach activities including workshops, seminars, and publications.
• Experience working with federal, state, and/or local conservation programs.
• Strong computer skills including working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, ArcPro.
• Strong coordination and communication skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Education and Experience Preferred:

Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, plant ecology, range management, or closely related natural resources field and three years of relevant experience preferred. Prior prescribed fire training and field experience required. Proven experience with private lands conservation and land management is highly desirable.