Senior Habitat Specialist (Crew Lead)

Anticipated Start Date: July/August 2026
Starting Salary: $55,000-75,000 commensurate with experience + benefits (see our benefits summary at www.pheasantsforever.org/jobs).

Overview: Work in a joint capacity with Pheasants Forever, Inc., and Quail Forever (PFQF) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to enhance and increase wildlife and pollinator habitat within designated roadside prairie and landscape-level resource management areas across Central Illinois (IDOT Districts 5 and 6).

This position is for a full-time, permanent employee of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever. This new and unique partnership will allow for varied field duties including prescribed fire, natural community identification and management, invasive species control, crew leadership, and project coordination among multiple organizations.

Duties: The incumbent will lead a team of four (4) habitat specialist crew members as they work with partners to coordinate and conduct wildlife habitat management practices throughout Central Illinois (IDOT Districts 5 and 6). Major responsibilities include:

• Implement habitat management work on IDOT ROW that includes but is not limited to edge feathering, herbicide application, burn line construction and prescribed burning, invasive/exotic plant control, native shrub establishment and native grass/forb establishment.
• Procure supplies and equipment following IDOT/Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever best management practices.
• Coordinate project prioritization and schedules.
• Management of four habitat specialist crew members.
• Provide habitat management technical assistance and information to IDOT.
• Assist with grant reporting duties in conjunction with partnership agreement.
• Serve as burn boss for prescribed fires.
• Ensure habitat management activities are accurately reported, mapped and entered on time.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Job may require odd hours and travel/time away from home.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• A solid understanding of environmental, ecological, and/or natural resource science.  Education may be substituted for experience determined by the partners to be relevant.  Preference will be given to candidates with bachelor’s degrees with an emphasis in ecology, forestry, or wildlife management.
• At least one year of experience conducting upland habitat management, prescribed burning, operating tractors and agricultural implements (disking, mowing, fire line creation, etc.), identification and control of invasive species and other undesired vegetation
• Safe transportation/hauling of equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners, colleagues, and partner agencies.
• Experience in GIS systems and mapping
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Knowledge of wildlife ecology, and grassland management, including the ability to utilize various habitat management equipment and tools in the development of wildlife habitat.
• Ability to successfully pass an arduous pack test annually.
• Ability to lift 50+ pounds safely and repeatedly.
• Excellent verbal/written communication and organizational skills.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Ability to operate and maintain equipment such as ATV’s, UTV’s, trucks and power tools such as chainsaws.
• Have or be able to attain an Illinois Right-of-Way (ROW) pesticide applicator license within 6 months of start date.
• Proven fireline leadership abilities, including leading prescribed fires.
• Proven abilities to write burn plans.
• Minimum: Prescribed Fire Course Work: S130/S190, IS-100.C, IS700.b, L180

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Two years of proven experience in managing a work team.
• Two years of experience conducting prescribed burns.
• Desired: Prescribed Coursework: Same as Minimum plus: S131, S-290 and a Rx burn plan writing course.
• Two years of experience using mechanical or chemical methods for controlling invasive species.
• Two years of experience operating and maintaining tractors, discs, and planting equipment.

Training and Experience Guideline: Any combination of training and/or experience that will enable the applicant to possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.  More than one year of work experience in a wildlife, forestry, or agricultural-related job.  Applicants with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Management or closely related natural resources field and/or related field experience are preferred. Continued training and professional development opportunities will be provided.