SC Coordinating Wildlife Biologist- Whitmire

(Quail Focal Area Coordinator)

Application Deadline:  Open Until Filled

Anticipated Start Date: October 2024

Overview: This position will coordinate and enhance the on-going efforts of federal, state and private partners on the Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative and the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative (NBGI) Focal Area in South Carolina. Primary funding partners include The U.S. Forest Service Sumter National Forest (USFS), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Quail Forever (QF). This individual will marshal efforts on the Indian Creek Initiative to coordinate habitat restoration and subsequent Northern bobwhite quail restoration for the area. The primary objective is to sustain and enhance project momentum. 

Duties:

• Assist USFS and other entities with habitat management planning and implementation on both public and private lands (Rx fire, timber stand improvement, herbicide applications, etc.)
• Conduct habitat workshops demonstrating the need for management of our forested ecosystems and the methods that are effective to reach specific management goals (i.e. more diversity, more quail and other wildlife, better forest fuels management, improved aesthetics, etc.)
• Conduct population and habitat surveys including the NBGI CIP whistle counts, covey counts and habitat surveys on both the Focal Area and Reference Area on Sumter National Forest.
• Collaborate and serve as a liaison among QF, USFS, DNR, NWTF, FSA, and NRCS concerning the Indian Creek Initiative and Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Agreements.
• Coordinate with private contractors conducting habitat work on Sumter National Forest via GNA or grant funding.
• Conduct and coordinate research and analysis including the trapping, banding, GPS tagging and monitoring of quail to investigate habitat use, home range, dispersal, etc. on Sumter National Forest.
• Serve as a liaison between the quail hunting public and the USFS & SCDNR.
• Work closely with the USFS, DNR, QF local chapters, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) to conduct landowner outreach and promotion of Farm Bill programs (e.g. CRP, EQIP, SAFE, CSP, etc.) primarily within the Indian Creek priority area.
• Serve on the SC Prescribed Fire Council, SC Quail Council Technical Committee, and the NRCS State Technical Committee.
• Identify, develop, and implement new and innovative habitat initiatives and partnerships that accelerate habitat efforts (e.g. corporate land holders, energy industry, pollinator interests, philanthropic foundations and granting entities, agribusiness etc.) interested in maintaining a vibrant and diverse economy with high quality of life for current and future generations.
• Seek and administer grant and other funding opportunities that help deliver the QF and partner mission priorities. Write grant proposals to leverage funds for additional quail habitat restoration.
• Administer and serve as the local contact for the QF food plot seed and native seed programs.
• Work very closely with the QF Regional Representative and Regional Leadership Team to expand and strengthen QF chapters and provide leadership to chapters on state habitat and outreach initiatives and priorities.
• Work with QF staff and chapters to use the unique QF local fundraising/spending model to develop state and local habitat delivery programs similar to PF/QF’s “Adopt a Wildlife Area” or “Habitat Share” to generate nonfederal matching funds that leverage habitat improvement on State WMA’s and other priority public lands.
• Act as the project manager for current and future USFS agreements within South Carolina, which may include Challenge Cost-Share and/or Stewardship Agreements.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• A general qualification guideline for this position is a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Science, Forestry, Agriculture, or related degree from an accredited university with an emphasis on forest ecosystem management and course work and/or experience on integrating wildlife management principles into pine dominated ecosystems.
• M.S. in Wildlife, Forestry or related field, or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coach effectively.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with multiple partners and staff.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse personalities.
• Knowledge of conservation and wildlife programs provided by Federal (i.e. NRCS, US Fish and Wildlife Service, etc.), state agencies, private partners and QF.  In addition, knowledge of how these programs are implemented in a forested landscape is desired.
• Able to obtain USDA Security Clearance and NRCS Conservation Planning certification.
• Reasonable computer skills required, including familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with GIS/ArcMap and/or NRCS Toolkit preferred.
• Ability to operate a tractor, chainsaw, drip torch, and other land management equipment/tools.
• 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.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Starting Salary: $48,000 – 52,000, Commensurate with qualifications and experience + health benefits and retirement package.

Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with disability, or any other category that may be protected by law.