NE Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist I – Five positions/Locations

Locations: Sidney, Hartington, Tekamah, Pawnee City, and Fairbury, Nebraska

Duties:

Work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc. (PF), the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission (NGPC) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to promote, coordinate and implement the conservation provisions of the Federal Farm Bill and other related wildlife conservation programs.  Activities will include providing technical assistance to landowners regarding rangeland, wetland, and woodland habitat management, conservation planning, precision ag conservation, contract coordination, conservation plan modification, site assessment and reporting. Conduct and coordinate training sessions that include workshops and tours for landowners and resource professionals.  Provide technical assistance related to prescribed fire to private landowners and public organizations.  Meet with local chapters of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever to coordinate habitat and rangeland management efforts, participate in statewide habitat meetings, and plan additional outreach events. Implement conservation programs to improve rangeland management, grassland restoration, small grains and diverse cover crop use, prescribed fire, and wildlife habitat management on private lands.  Assist or coordinate activities and projects as assigned.

Special Note:

It is expected that the candidate will enter into a 90-day introductory time period where training will consist of working in close contact with the Senior Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist, other Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist team members, NGPC and NRCS personnel and will require travel. Candidate will serve on interdisciplinary conservation teams with NRCS and other partners as a regular position duty. The position begins as an hourly position and moves to salary within the first 12 months pending employee performance.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent oral and written communication as well as organizational skills.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking and have excellent people skills.
• Ability to provide exceptional customer service, sales and promotion to producers interested in conservation program information and enrollment.
• Must be able to work effectively with private landowners, governmental agency staff and conservation organization representatives.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse personalities.
• Extensive knowledge of habitat management, rangeland management, precision agriculture conservation, grassland restoration and wildlife habitat management techniques, principles, goals and objectives.
• Knowledge of conservation program offerings, including USDA Conservation Programs (CRP, CCRP, EQIP, ACEP, CStP, etc.) as well as state (NGPC) and local (PF) programs.
• Sound working knowledge of wildlife ecology, habitat management and rangeland management including the ability to use various habitat management tools, such as fire or grazing, in the development of and implementation of a management plan.
• Prescribed fire experience is preferred.
• Ability to work under adverse weather conditions and in difficult terrain.
• Good computer skills including knowledge of: MS Word, MS Excel and ArcGIS.
• Valid driver’s license required with an acceptable driving record and history.

Training and Experience Guideline:

Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills and abilities.  A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field and 1-year related field experience.  Experience with conservation programs and prescribed fire is preferred.